GRAND OPENING
SOLEDAD — Grocery Outlet in Soledad will have a grand-opening celebration on Thursday, March 2, beginning at 7 a.m. The new grocery store, locally owned and operated by Zeke and Crystal Reyes, is located at 401 Nestles Road. A ribbon-cutting and donation ceremony is planned at 10 a.m., along with free face painting for youth until 3 p.m. The first 100 customers will receive Bliss Buck gift cards, and there will be free limited edition reusable bags while supplies last.
PET CLINIC
SAN ARDO — A free pet spay/neuter clinic, sponsored by County of Monterey, is planned for Saturday, March 4, for residents of San Ardo and the unincorporated areas of South Monterey County. The SNIP bus will take place at 62080 Cattlemen Road in San Ardo. Call or text 925-967-1001 to make an appointment.
ROUND-UP REPORT
CENTRAL COAST — Goodwill Central Coast’s philanthropic Round-Up Program funneled more than $5,000 to various charities and nonprofits throughout 2022. Described as “change for change,” the initiative allows shoppers to round-up purchases to the nearest dollar and donate that amount to a designated charity — with other donation options displayed on the credit card terminal machine. Local beneficiaries within GCC’s communities (Monterey, San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz counties) included the following: Max’s Helping Paws Foundation; Cookies for Kids Cancer; ALS Association; SC Downtown Streets Team and Homeless Garden Project. In addition, GCC donated rounded-up change in October to benefit Florida Goodwill Association and its voucher program to aid displaced victims from Hurricane Ian — with GCC matching a minimum of $5,000.
