Grant Boosts Casa Blanca Nonprofit Services

Casa Blanca Home of Neighborly Service in Riverside is using a new grant from the Inland Empire Community Foundation to expand food distributions and neighborhood support in the city’s Casa Blanca area. The nonprofit, a longstanding community organization at 7680 Casa Blanca Street, said the added funding is helping it widen services that already include emergency food assistance and other family support. A May 21 report by Southern California News Group said the grant has strengthened the group’s pantry operations, giveaways and partnerships. Gerardo “Jerry” Pulido, the nonprofit’s executive director, leads the organization, according to the group’s website. ### How is the grant changing day-to-day services? About 100 families a week are now being served through the pantry and related events, according to the May 21 report. The funding is being used for food distributions, giveaways and partnerships that extend the nonprofit’s reach in the neighborhood, the report said. Emergency food assistance is already part of the nonprofit’s regular work. (sbsun.com) GuideStar and other directory listings for the organization describe services that include emergency food, help with applications and other community support for residents facing language and technology barriers. ### Who is running the nonprofit in Casa Blanca? Gerardo “Jerry” Pulido is listed by Casa Blanca Home of Neighborly Service as executive director. (sbsun.com) The organization’s website also lists staff including administrative assistant Miriam Martha and gives its Riverside address and weekday office hours. Raincross Gazette, in a 2024 profile, said Pulido started as a volunteer, later became a board member and then president before taking on the executive director role. (guidestar.org) That profile described his work as focused on helping Riverside residents find solutions to local challenges. ### What does the foundation say about its role in the region? The Inland Empire Community Foundation says it works across Riverside and San Bernardino counties and manages hundreds of charitable funds. (casablancahns.org) The foundation’s website lists $156 million in assets, 447 total charitable funds and $32 million in grants and scholarships. The foundation’s public materials describe its mission as using resources, leadership and partnerships to support the Inland Empire. (raincrossgazette.com) Its Riverside corporate office is listed at 3700 Sixth Street, Suite 200. ### What services did Casa Blanca Home of Neighborly Service offer before this grant? Casa Blanca Home of Neighborly Service has long described itself as a nonprofit centered on guidance, free resources and training for community members. (iegives.org) Its website says donations help it continue serving and empowering the community. Program descriptions in nonprofit directories say the group supports food assistance, educational services and other aid for low- and moderate-income residents in Riverside. (iegives.org) Cause IQ says the organization provides weekly emergency food distribution and youth mentoring and education-based programs. ### Where can residents find the organization now? Casa Blanca Home of Neighborly Service lists its office at 7680 Casa Blanca Street, Riverside, California 92504, with hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (casablancahns.org) The organization’s website includes contact information and a calendar page for community updates. The Inland Empire Community Foundation continues to post grant news and nonprofit updates on its website, while Casa Blanca Home of Neighborly Service uses its own site to share contact details and ways to support its work. (causeiq.com) (iegives.org) (casablancahns.org)