FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOUTH COUNTY OUTREACH CHOSEN AS A 2026 CALIFORNIA NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR BY SENATOR STEVEN CHOI
IRVINE, Calif. (May 20, 2026) – South County Outreach, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing hunger and homeless
ness in Orange County, is proud to announce it has been selected as a 2026 California Nonprofit of the Year by State Senator Steven Choi representing the 37th District in California.
South County Outreach is one of more than one hundred nonprofits that will be honored by their state senators and assemblymembers for their outstanding contributions to the communities they serve.
Since 1989, South County Outreach (SCO) has been a leader in the fight to prevent hunger and homelessness in Orange County, helping individuals and families achieve long-term stability and self-sufficiency. Rooted in the belief that empowering people to help themselves is the most effective way to build a stronger, more resilient community, SCO provides critical support through programs focused on food assistance, homeless prevention, and housing stability. Each year, the organization distributes more than 700,000 pounds of food and helps keep nearly 2,000 children fed while continuing its mission of housing hope and ending hunger.
LaVal Brewer, President & CEO of South County Outreach
“On behalf of South County Outreach, we are deeply honored to be recognized by Senator Steven Choi as a 2026 California Nonprofit of the Year,” said LaVal Brewer, President & CEO of South County Outreach. “For more than three decades, our mission has centered on empowering our neighbors to achieve stability and self-sufficiency with dignity and compassion. This recognition is a reflection of the unwavering dedication of our staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners who make this work possible every day. Together, we remain committed to housing hope, ending hunger, and strengthening the fabric of our community.”
“We are grateful for the work of South County Outreach and want to extend our congratulations for this well deserved recognition,” said Geoff Green, CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits) which sponsors the initiative. “Nonprofits are among our country’s most trusted organizations and an integral part of civil society. There’s likely never been a more important time to lift up the contributions nonprofits make within the communities they serve.”
Nonprofits are well known for being problem-solvers, innovators, helpers, and advocates, but they are also a major economic force. According to “Causes Count 3.0,” a new report soon to be released by CalNonprofits, the nonprofit sector is now the 3rd largest employer in the state, with approximately 1.5 million Californians working for nonprofit organizations. Collectively our state’s 110,000 501c3 public charities generate more than $430 billion in revenue each year.
Now in its eleventh year, the California Nonprofit of the Year initiative provides the opportunity for each California state legislator to recognize a nonprofit organization doing outstanding work in their district. The program culminates with a celebratory luncheon at the Capitol on California Nonprofits Day, which this year is May 20.
The program is sponsored by the CalNonprofits in partnership with the state Senate and Assembly Select Committees on the Nonprofit Sector. CalNonprofits, the leading policy voice for California’s nonprofit sector, focuses on advocacy, education, and research to build a more powerful and politically engaged nonprofit network across the state.
About South County Outreach
South County Outreach is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission of preventing hunger and homelessness by promoting a life of self-sufficiency. For more than three decades, the organization has been a leader in the fight to end hunger and homelessness in Orange County. Through the implementation of programs like the organization’s homeless prevention program and food program, which distributes over 700,000 pounds of food and keeps nearly 2,000 children fed each year, South County Outreach strives to house hope and end hunger. For more information, please visit www.sco-oc.org.
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