Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/990920
I nWatsonville's150-yearhistory, Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes is a relative newcomer. e nonprofit is just shy of turning 30 years old. But for those three decades, the organization has served the hungry and needy of South County. e employees and volunteers at Loaves and Fishes call a house on 150 Second Street in Watsonville their home base. e site is a former residence converted into a makeshi office, lobby, industrial kitchen and food storage room. Inside one storage room are thousands of pounds of dried pasta, canned goods, fruits and vegetables. On the back of the property is house where they store more food. "Our mission has stayed the same: Support and serve our community," said Joann Godoy, executive director of the organization. e organization began as a part of the St. Patrick's church in the wake of the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake when the community's needs surged. Since then, the program branched outside of the church and into a standalone organization. Monday through Friday, the program serves a hot lunch to anyone in need. Many line up to sit at tables in the patio area behind the house, under the makeshi awning. "People have a misconception that it's homeless young people that come. We've got a few of those that come. But most are older, disabled veterans or former farm workers," Godoy said. But the key part of the organization's mission is the food pantry. ere, needy families can come in to receive bags of food to bring home to families. Right now, the organization is the largest emergency food provider in the county and receives 80 percent of its referrals from Second Harvest Food Bank. In February, the pantry served an average of 46 people each day, sending them home with 13 meals or 10,000 calories. Cecilia Cervantes works as the operations manager for the nonprofit and oversees the food inventory. One of the most rewarding moments is sending clients away with more food than they can carry. O en, they need help getting to their car. "Because we are now giving out so much food that you see them struggling with their bags of food trying to get to the car," Cervantes said with a laugh. " at is gratifying there." ough Board President Candice Elliott has worked with the organization for two years, she realized the organization's impact almost immediately. Of the people they helped, roughly 77 percent were below the federal poverty line. Half of the demographic they serve are the field laborers and their families. More importantly, about 40 percent of the clients are children. "So there is a great need in the Pajaro Valley for nutritious food, including for those that live below the poverty line. And the future of our organization is to fill that need," Elliott said. H idden in a plaza behind the buildings of Main Street is Jack's Cigar Store, the last bastion of tobacco in Watsonville. e shop is not the run of the mill stop a quick pack of cigarettes nor is it a thriving business for those looking to refill their vape pens. e shop features a collection of tables with chairs surrounded by display cases of cigars. A r ar e s ig ht in an era wh er e t ob acco is largely shunned by the public. e shop has dozens of choice cigar and cigarette products. e packs of cigarettes are behind the counter while the cigars sit wrapped in boxes behind sliding glass doors. But more than the last stronghold, it's a storied business that has a 104-year-old history. e establishment is so old that some of the cigar shop's first customers paid in gold, according to Zarko Radich, owner of the business. Despite the namesake, there was never anyone named Jack who owned the cigar shop. e founder and first owner's name was Jakov Novcich. Jack was a quick American nickname he went by so customers could say his name without pause. Novcich came to the U.S. from the former Yugoslavia in 1906, searching for a better life. He didn't land in Santa Cruz County until 1912. He worked for the City of Santa Cruz drilling a water wells, according to Radich. When he was on the job in 1914, rough weather rolled in with gusts of wind. Nobody told Novcich to stop working so he forged on despite the gusts. Eventually, electrical wires came down and struck his right hand and le leg, burning them badly and forcing doctors to amputate them, Radich said. Not knowing how to carry on or what to do next, Novcich tried to kill himself. But he didn't know how to go about that as well. So he laid in a ditch overnight and waited to die. It was by fortunate that the doctor who amputated Novcich's limbs passed by early the next day and saw his despondent patient. "D oc to r sa id , ' Li st en, re st of yo u is healthy. I took what was bad, but you can live a long life that's happy,'" Radich recalls. e doctor even planted the idea of opening the cigar shop. So the idea was born, and the shop established in 1914. And Radich's connection? He was related to the original "Jack" by marriage and came to the U.S. to take ownership of the shop in 1980. Radich even let everyone call him Jack as well. "I say I'm Jack to many. Here's why: To you yankees, any other name I would have to spell," Radich said with a laugh. ese days, cigars and cigarettes aren't en vogue like they were before 2000. At certain points, customers could buy premium Italian pipes for $1,500 if they wanted to treat themselves. ese days, cigars range from about $1 to $40, depending on the quality. A er decades behind the counter, Radich has little interest in expanding the business to capture the vaping customers in part because of the license fee for it. "Still, I stay open because I don't know what I would do," he said with a shrug and a laugh. Still, Radich feels like he's a part of the community. A er the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake, Radich had offers of help from people in the community. So much so that it touched him and changed his view of the country. "So many people, in the first few days, came to us and said, 'Do you need anything?' en I said to my wife, 'I want to become a citizen,'" Radich said. WATSONVILLE SESqUICENTENNIAL FeedingThoseinNeed TheOldWorldisAliveButHidden by Calvin Men by Calvin Men AffordableLuxuryRetirement Living for Seniors SupportingIndependentSeniors Since 1991 Valley HeigHts ValleyHeightsSeniorCommunity 925 FreedomBlvd., Watsonville, CA 95076 (831) 722-4884 www.valleyheights.com Valley Heights has provided independent senior living since 1991 in the heart of Watsonville. Always owned and operated by a local family, the 2nd generation is actively involved providing quality living accommodations for independent seniors. Wearehonoredtobeapartofthisuniquecommunity. Congratulations on 150 years! Spacious Apartment with Full Kitchen, Washer & Dryer Nutritious Daily Breakfast & Dinner Weekly Housekeeping Phone, TV, & Internet Included Transportation For Local Doctors & Shopping 24-Hour Security Shmuel aler - Santa Cruz Sentinel Zarko Radich, Jack's Cigar Store and Lunchroom Dan Coyro - Santa Cruz Sentinel FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018 SANTACRUZSENTINEL.COM | COMMUNITY | 3 C