Formed in 2022, the Escalon Strong community-based service organization is doing just that; going strong.

A recent presentation of special District 5 funds available through the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors discretionary program will help the group get a ‘giving pantry’ up and operating in a new location.

County Supervisor Robert Rickman, who represents Escalon on the board, was on hand in Escalon recently to present the check for more than $21,000 to several members of Escalon Strong.

Primary donors Hogan Manufacturing and Escalon Small Animal Clinic helped Escalon Strong secure a new location to host its Giving Pantry and members of the organization are working to get the facility operational. Previously, the food recovery program had been operating out of the Escalon Community Center but a series of changes resulted in that specific program being discontinued. When the opportunity to move in to their own facility came up and, with the discretionary funds from the county to help with some needed non-food purchases including supplies and equipment, they hope to be opening soon.

The Giving Pantry will benefit from an upcoming garage sale, with donations currently being sought. The sale is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Aug. 23 and 24 and proceeds will benefit the pantry effort. Contact Wendy at 209-479-8994 if you have items to donate.

Also planned, Escalon Strong will have its second annual Cornhole Tournament, scheduled for Oct. 19, which will serve as a fundraiser for the community service organization.

Escalon Strong has a wide range of areas they are involved in, with the overall goal of “aiding and addressing various quality of life issues” affecting citizens in rural San Joaquin County.

The group operates the Community Garden at 2149 Jackson Ave., with land donated by the Seventh Day Adventist Church and more garden plots becoming available this fall. They also received a grant that allowed for the purchase of more than two dozen electric mobility scooters that they have available for those in need.

Involved in youth recreation, Escalon Strong has donated pop up tents for soccer teams to use on the sidelines as well as providing 450 soccer balls, dozens of goalie jerseys and pairs of goalie gloves. They also have helped provide items for the recreational baseball and softball programs.

Those interested in learning more about Escalon Strong can sign up to get notifications of their upcoming events by e-mailing EscalonStrongnews@gmail.com