(l-r) Cindy Estorga, Andi Sica, Heather Anderson, Joe Ford and Mike Gutierrez. Photo courtesy of Hathaway-Sycamores

A Pasadena partnership has been forged between Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services (which is headquartered in Pasadena) and the Whole Foods Market on South Arroyo Parkway in Pasadena. This partnership began in December of last year when the Rose City’s Whole Foods designated Hathaway-Sycamores, which is one of Los Angeles County’s largest, nonprofit, private children’s mental health and welfare agencies, to be the recipient of its Feed Four More program, through which customers could donate money to purchase food for families in need. Whole Foods’ Pasadena customers gave generously, and throughout December Hathaway-Sycamores received pallets of breakfast, lunch, and dinner food items that were distributed to those receiving services through the agency’s: Center for Grief and Loss for Children; in-home mental-health services program for children and teens; residential treatment program; and its Transitional Independent Living Program.

When the Feed Four More campaign concluded at year’s end, Whole Foods had surpassed its goal and informed Hathaway-Sycamores that, in addition to the food that had been distributed, the agency would be receiving a check for nearly $9,000.

Presentation of that generous check took place on a recent spring Saturday at Hathaway-Sycamore’s El Nido residential campus in Altadena. Whole Foods’ representatives were first given a tour of the campus, which includes a residential treatment facility for youngsters and teens receiving intensive therapeutic care for serious mental-health challenges. Presentation of the much appreciated check was next on the agenda, followed by a barbecue lunch. The day’s events concluded with a variety of fun activities, from painting T-shirts to playing basketball, for the youngsters currently living at the Altadena campus.

Commenting on this new partnership, Hathaway-Sycamores’ President and CEO William Martone said, “We are extremely appreciative of the support that Whole Foods Market and its customers have directed toward our agency. As a result of their generosity, the children and families that we serve are able to proceed down the path toward leading happy, healthy lives.”

Whole Foods Market, 465 S. Arroyo Pkwy., Pasadena, (626) 204-2266 or visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com.

Hathaway-Sycamores, 783 E. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena, (626) 421-6160 or visit www.hathaway-sycamores.org.