“There are far, far better things ahead than the ones you leave behind.”
C.S. Lewis
History
- Grateful Hearts was established as a community resource center by Blair Pietrini in December 1998 and was incorporated in 2000. While working in an accounting department of her local church for seven years, Blair continuously received many calls from people seeking assistance. She would hear stories of single mothers who could not provide food or other basic necessities for their children. Blair did not know of any program in place to help the many individuals that called for assistance; compelled by people’s situations and with a desire to help them, Blair began to search for ways to help. Grateful Hearts first started through Blair’s desire to help the community by hosting a canned food drive and it now serves up to 1,800 individuals per month through its Food Distribution Program.
Our mission
- Our mission is to provide hope for the hurting by serving those in need locally and abroad. We accomplish this through the provision of food, clothing, hygiene products, furniture, appliances, and other basic necessities, free of charge to the jobless, the working poor, the disabled, the elderly and those experiencing times of crisis.
“Providing Hope for the Hurting”
Our Programs
As we approach this season of Thanksgiving, we are pleased to announce our partnership with The Seal Beach Turkey Trot and Golden State Water’s Operation Gobble program (along with our wonderful individual sponsors). Our mission is to provide local military families (both active and veteran) with grocery gift cards so that they will be able to enjoy a holiday meal together.
Help Us make the Holidays Brighter for those in need:
This Christmas season, Grateful Hearts has the privilege of providing military families (both active and veteran) with holiday meals ( in the form of gift cards) as well as providing Christmas gifts for families and children in need. We are pleased to partner together with Pietrini Pizza Napoletana, as our Holiday Toy Drive collection will take place at their restaurant/facility located at 5262 Katella Ave in Los Alamitos during their regular hours of operation (Wed- Sun 4-9 pm )
Sky Program
Description
Through this program, we provide a safe and positive learning environment for individuals with disabilities. Students and adults with disabilities come and learn life, work, and social skills. As part of this program, we are an approved work-site for individuals enrolled in employment coaching programs.
Objective
It is our goal to support the efforts that ensure that individuals with disabilities are fully included and can actively participate in all aspects of society
Global Assistance Program
Description
Through this program, we support organizations with missions abroad by sending donated goods such as medical supplies, tents, inflatable beds, emergency supplies, furniture, walkers, clothing, shoes, and other items to communities living in extreme poverty or in need of disaster relief.
Disaster Relief Program
Grateful Hearts has served and continues to serve communities in places such as Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Uganda, Myanmar, Mexico, Hawaii and many more.
‘In 2017 Puerto Rico was devastated by Hurricane Maria. We were able to send disaster relief aid to the south of the island.”