Community Services Agency (CSA) provides food assistance, emergency financial aid, and homeless and case management services to clients in Mountain View, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills.

Last month, we recognized CSA as our 2018 Outstanding Rescue Award Winner. This month, they were named 2018 California Nonprofit of the Year by the California Assembly District 24. Congrats, Community Services Agency!

2018 Outstanding Rescue Award Winner

Over 60 of Second Harvest’s partner agencies participate in our Grocery Rescue program, picking up a wonderful variety of products such as meat, dairy, and produce from local retailers like Walmart, Lucky, Sprouts, and Target.

CSA has gone above and beyond to thrive in the program and maintain consistent and professional service for their partner stores.

Since joining Grocery Rescue in 2013, their ability to recruit and manage great volunteers has really set them apart.

“I hear nothing but positive feedback from their Grocery Rescue partners. Their volunteers are courteous, timely, and communicative and they consistently submit their reports on time,” said Shelby Senna, Second Harvest’s Food Sourcing Representative.

From left to right: Second Harvest’s Shelby Senna and Community Services Agency’s Christine Flego and Nicole Fargo Nosich

In 2018, CSA started picking up every weekday from one Grocery Rescue store: Sprouts in Mountain View. When Second Harvest offered an additional pickup at a grocer called Piazza’s, they quickly jumped on board and made it work. Alongside Grocery Rescue, they also joined our local donation program, picking up from Cosmopolitan Catering in Sunnyvale. CSA has accomplished all of this while undergoing other changes, such as shifts in leadership, construction of a new shed, and the addition of new programs.

“This success is in great deal thanks to the leadership of Christine Flego who oversees the donation pickups and pantry and whose flexibility, dedication, and responsiveness make CSA a wonderful partner,” added Shelby Senna.

2018 California Nonprofit of the Year

CSA was also named 2018 Nonprofit of the Year by the California Assembly District 24. On June 6, CSA Executive Director Tom Myers and Board Chair Cathy Lazarus went to the State Capitol in Sacramento to accept honors for the agency.  The agency is one of 100 nonprofit organizations throughout the State who was honored by their state senators and assemblymembers as part of California Nonprofits Day.

From left to right: CSA Executive Director Tom Myers, Assemblymember Marc Berman and CSA Board President Cathy Lazarus at the State Capitol.

“For over 60 years, CSA has enhanced individual and community well-being, connecting homeless, low-income, and senior community members with emergency housing and wraparound services including food and mental health care,” said Assemblymember Marc Berman who nominated CSA for this honor. “I am heartened by the work CSA does every day to improve lives in our community and am proud to recognize CSA as Nonprofit of the Year for their critical work in the 24th Assembly District.”

On June 22, our team had a great time celebrating CSA at a champagne and cake reception CSA hosted, which featured a special toast by 24th District Assemblymember Marc Berman.

The CSA Team with Assemblymember Marc Berman

Thanks CSA for all you do!