A Thanksgiving gift came early for 194 nonprofits on the South Coast.
The Chairman and CEO of Montecito Bank and Trust, Janet Garufis, presented a $1 million award to the organizations.
The annual donation event usually comes with a luncheon at the Coral Casino in Montecito, but this year, the event was moved online in a digital ceremony.
Garufis praised the groups for their extraordinary contributions during the coronavirus crisis, including caring for vulnerable populations and meeting the needs of the population.
A number of grants in the amount of $175,000 were handed out to five organizations providing critical community aid.
The Michael Towbes Community Impact Grants were handed out to Child Abuse Listening Mediation, Inc. (CALM), Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (CADA), Santa Ynez Valley People Helping People, Organic Soup Kitchen and Gold Coast Veterans Foundation.
