Helping The Community Through Giving: Brentwood Regional Community Chest

The Brentwood Regional Community Chest was founded by Rose Pierce more than 50 years ago, and since then has seen different iterations until becoming what it is today. Now, it is run by a board of five members, including Lillian Pierce, Rose’s daughter.

When her daughters were young, Rose was a volunteer translator for the schools, the police department, and the then-Contra Costa County Health Department, helping many of the farmworkers understand what they were being told by their bosses. Through this, she learned about many of the needs of these families and sought assistance from clubs like the Lions Club and Rotary Club.

“She had a very kind heart,” said Lillian. “If she could do something, she did it.”

Working with the volunteer fire departments of Brentwood, Oakley, Byron, Knightsen, and Bethel Island, she helped organize the collection and distribution of food during Christmas. This was the Delta East Coalition, and was a precursor to the Brentwood Regional Community Chest.

In the 1990s with the help of thenmayor Art Gonzales, the Brentwood Regional Community Chest became a food pantry. “It wasn’t just Brentwood, but it was all five communities,” Lillian said.

When her mom decided to step down, Lillian ensured that the program continued with the help of Bill Hill, the mayor at the time, as well as other people. They no longer did the daily food pantry, but continued the Christmas baskets and for times when residents had emergencies.

The Christmas baskets continue to be the main way of supporting the community. It is important that everyone has access to food and the organization facilitates this, Lillian said. Every basket contains a variety of nonperishable foods as well as a turkey. “Everyone gets a turkey dinner,” Lillian said. The pantry serves up to 500 families a year, ensuring they have food over the holidays. Any extra food is given to other local food pantries so nothing goes to waste.

Lillian decided to also incorporate a toy drive, which has gradually grown to include not just young children, but teenagers as well.

Since its creation, everything the Community Chest does has been possible thanks to both monetary and food donations. She also wants to thank the hundreds of volunteers who do the work for the organization for the two months leading up to the December distribution that benefits the community, Lillian said.

Her mother used to always say, “People want to help, they just don’t know how.” The organization offers many ways to help, whether it be through volunteer work or simply donating to barrels that can be found around the community. They start gathering food and toys in October.

If you would like to volunteer, donate, or for additional information, visit www.brcchest.org.