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GUEST: Robert Perez, Freeze Relief Director with the United Farm Workers

This week is Farmworkers Awareness week and today we focus on the struggles of California’s farm workers in the face of last winter’s freeze that left thousands of people with no work, and no pay. At the request of Governor Schwarzenegger, President Bush earlier this month issued a federal disaster declaration for 12 California counties–Fresno, Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Monterey, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura. More counties are expected to be added to the list soon. The Federal Emergency Management Agency opened its California headquarters last week in Pasadena to help cover the job losses from crop freezes. Also last week, Governor Schwarzenegger authorized $2.2 million for local food banks and $1.5 million to provide financial assistance to help workers pay rent, mortgage, and utility payments. Since January, the State has provided more than $4 million to local food banks, and $3.25 million in aid to freeze victims. Several foundations such as the California Endowment, have also stepped in to provide a small measure of financial aid.

For more information, visit www.ufwfoundation.org.

Donations to the Citrus Freeze Relief Program could be made:

“Citrus Freeze Relief Fund”
c/o UFW Foundation
P.O. Box 62
Keene, CA 93531

Donations to the UFW Foundation are tax-deductible.