DAP Food Program Nourished With Grant from Bank Of America
Palm Springs, CA – April 24, 2020 – As the Coronavirus creates unprecedented demand and challenges for our services, Desert AIDS Project (DAP) is deeply grateful for a $20,000 grant from Bank of America to help us provide continuous access to nutrition for our clients as we respond to COVID-19. This grant will help ensure our at-risk clients will continue receiving fresh produce and grocery vouchers from our Nutrition Program.
At a time when sources of financial support to fund healthy staples and fresh produce have dried up or remained flat due to the virus, this grant from Bank of America greatly supports DAP’s commitment to providing hunger relief in our community – providing approximately 30,000 meals to clients of DAP who are eligible for food distribution and grocery vouchers.
DAP was awarded this grant because it is working on the frontlines of the pandemic in our community, and the array of wrap-around services DAP offers its clients.
“DAP is thankful to Bank of America for supporting our programs that build community health through good nutrition in this crisis,” said Zayda Welden, director of Social Services. “Uninterrupted access to fresh produce and groceries means that our clients who are most at-risk can worry less about the basics, thanks to this kind help.”
Bank of America recently announced a $100 million commitment in support of communities facing unprecedented challenges related to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Now more than ever, we need to take care of one another. Thanks to the responsive leadership of incredible Coachella Valley nonprofits like Desert AIDS Project, we can together help address this health and humanitarian crisis,” said Al Arguello, Inland Empire market president, Bank of America.
By providing a comprehensive continuum of healthcare and social services, including Nutrition Services to support retention in care and adherence to medical treatment, DAP keeps clients connected to medical care, despite existing barriers or challenges that may arise.
Hurdles Accessing Enough Food
Food Insecurity is an economic or social indicator of the health of the community with a direct correlation to poverty levels and poor health outcomes. At least 50% of our clients receive Supplementary Security Income, based on disability, which renders them ineligible for the CalFresh food "stamp" program. Other clients who are eligible for Cal-Fresh receive $16-$30 per month; amounts that are insufficient to fully alleviate food insecurity. Since DAP's founding, food assistance has been a vital component of our integrated approach to service delivery, based on the Chronic Care Model, a system of care that emphasizes patient self-management skills, and the Patient-Centered Medical Home model, which facilitates partnerships between patients and their healthcare providers.
About Our Clients
DAP serves vulnerable low-Income persons and families living below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level inclusive of all races, ethnicities, gender orientation, and sexual identity, in addition to low-income people living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Over one-third of DAP's patients/clients who are living with HIV are aged 50 years and older. DAP is well aware of the needs of clients and patients confronted by numerous complications of surviving long-term with HIV, including subsisting on fixed incomes.
About Desert AIDS Project
Desert AIDS Project (DAP) is a Federally Qualified Health Center in Palm Springs, CA offering DAP Total Care – a combination of medical, dental, counseling, social services, support groups, alternative therapies, in-house pharmacy and lab, and other health and wellness services. DAP’s sexual health clinic, The DOCK, offers STI testing and treatment, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and HIV and HCV testing. DAP’s Get Tested Coachella Valley campaign, the nation’s first region-wide free HIV testing and access to care initiative, was recognized by the White House for helping to bring about an AIDS-free future. DAP has earned a “Four Star” rating from Charity Navigator for the twelfth consecutive year – landing DAP in the top 6% of nonprofits rated. The distinction recognizes that we exceed industry standards in terms of our financial health, accountability, and transparency.
Visit www.desertaidsproject.org, www.thedockclinic.org, and www.gettestedcoachellavalley.org to learn more.