Rebekah Children’s Services- Culinary Program. The culinary program, hosted by the Gilroy branch of Rebekah Children’s Services, serves a critical role in the lives of underserved youth. Too often, young adults from struggling families find themselves trapped with limited options for their future. The culinary Academy teaches these students essential skills in the culinary arts, offering them a pathway to a better and brighter future. Christopher Ranch is steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that they have the equipment necessary to maintain their cause. Beyond providing the physical tools for their success, the Ranch also awards fully-funded community college scholarships to several academy students.

One of Christopher Ranch’s most popular and talked about products is Elephant Garlic. In 2018, we were inspired by the good work being done at the nearby Monterey Zoo, and in particular, were impressed by their commitment to elephant conservation awareness. That year, we launched a first of its kind project that married the success of elephant garlic sales with our dedication to elephants. For every box of Christopher Ranch elephant garlic sold, $1 goes back to the elephant program at the Monterey Zoo, and as we annually sell tens of thousands of boxes per year, were making a major in the lives of these gentle giants.

Since 2018, Christopher Ranch has been the home to the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California Camp Christopher. Each summer, the Christopher Family welcomes youth from across the Bay Area to spend the morning learning a little about Ag Science, and most excitingly get to pick cherry’s to their heart’s content in our Home Ranch’s orchard. Following a morning on the farm, Christopher Ranch staff serve as volunteer chaperones for over 50 kids at our local world class theme park, Gilroy Gardens. As children who suffer from Epilepsy have enough to deal with in their everyday lives, Camp Christopher gives them and their siblings the ability to spend a day simply being a kid.

While the overall economic growth that has taken place here in south silicon valley in recent years has generally been impressive, its important to remember that there are still families in our community that need a little extra help.

St. Josephs serves a critical role, with a mission to alleviate hunger and homelessness in South Santa Clara County by providing food, housing and employment related services, and advocating for system changes to improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable people in our communities.

Gilroy Gardens, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational institution whose mission is to educate and inspire families, especially children, to appreciate horticulture and the importance of trees in our lives by providing fun and memories in a beautiful garden setting.