BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Thousands of dollars have been given out to people in Kern County who are in need so far this year.

Kern Family Health Care, through the Kern Health Systems Community Grant Program, gives grants to assist local non-profit organizations similarly devoted to improving the life and well-being of Kern County's most vulnerable citizens.

In 2019, Kern Family Health Care awarded $83,000 to 43 different Community Based Organizations.

Grant funds are used in a variety of ways such as the purchase of refrigerators by the Bakersfield Homeless Center, which helps their clients get housed and have the capability to store food.

Another is the grant given to The Blessing Corner that allowed them to serve 4,000 hot meals, the Central Farmworker Foundation provides health screenings and education to under-served local farmworkers and free art classes were given to children in Shafter and Bakersfield through the Community Action Partnership of Kern at their Friendship House and Shafter Youth Center locations.

In its first year, 11 applicants were awarded, this year 43 were awarded and officials hope next year, their fifth year will be even bigger.