Local home buyers directed $55,000 in donations this week to programs facing rising demands for services because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Three area non-profits working to address domestic violence, food insecurity, and health care needs received the first round of funds Monday from an initiative sponsored by Granville Homes.

Company Donating $5,000 from Each Home Sold

The company is donating $5,000 to local charities from each new home sold from April 1 through May 31, a Granville Homes spokesperson said. Home buyers can specify the area of need they’d like to support through the Granville Homes Central Valley COVID-19 Relief Initiative.

“I am inspired every day by the ways our neighbors are coming together to support each other,” said Darius Assemi, president and CEO of Granville Homes. ” From our medical workers to delivery drivers to those making grocery runs for their neighbors, I have never been so proud of my community, or so grateful that Granville is in a position to help.”

Local Nonprofits Experiencing High Demand for Services

Initial donations from the effort sent $27,500 to the Central California Food Bank, while the Alliance for Medical Outreach and Relief received $16,500, and the Marjaree Mason Center received $11,000.

Food bank president Andy Souza said he is grateful for the contribution at a time “when so many are experiencing loss of jobs and income.” The organization is reporting the need for its services has increased by almost 50% in recent weeks.

Souza said the donation from Granville will “provide food and hope to families in need during these desperate times.”

Similarly, Marjaree Mason Center says calls to its domestic violence hotline have increased since COVID-19 shelter in place orders began.

The donation from Granville and its home buyers “means that we can continue to meet the comprehensive needs of domestic violence survivors in our community without interruption,” said executive director Nicole DiBuduo Linder.

Davena Witcher, executive director of Fresno-based Alliance for Medical Outreach and Relief said the donated funds will help her organization meet a “staggering” need for healthcare resources across the community.

“Through this partnership, AMOR will be able to address the urgent needs to our everyday heroes — from elderly home health care workers and at-home special needs therapists to emergency nurses and doctors.”

Company Says Home Buyers Have Adapted Well

Granville Homes is scheduled to close escrow on more than 30 homes through the end of May, the company said. Each final sale will generate a $5,000 charitable donation. The company says it will distribute funds weekly to keep up with increased needs in the community.

The company has continued to build and sell homes under California’s stay-at-home orders, shifting almost entirely to virtual home showings and online appointments with customers.

“We’ve seen a pretty significant increase in visits to our website for virtual home tours and the use of our ‘instant access’ home tour system since people started social distancing,” said Granville marketing manager Katie Burchfield.

“Buyers have adapted incredibly well to the current environment and our team has been able to provide a very high level of service remotely.”

(Granville Homes CEO/President Darius Assemi is the publisher of GV Wire and an AMOR board member.)