Steadfast LA, Banc of California Award First Altadena Fire Recovery Grants

Steadfast LA and Banc of California awarded the first round of Altadena small-business recovery grants to three local fixtures hit hard by January’s Eaton Fire. The $125,000 in grants went to Webster’s Community Pharmacy, Fair Oaks Burger, and Altadena Cookie Co., providing direct financial support to sustain operations and keep these businesses rooted in the community.

“Meeting with and hearing stories from the Millers at Webster’s Pharmacy, the Lees at Fair Oaks Burger, and Jessica and Michelle with Altadena Cookie Co. was moving and underscored how ingrained they all are in the community,” said Rick Caruso, founder and chairman of Steadfast LA.

“I’m really proud that, through this initiative, they’ll have the resources to overcome the adversity they’ve faced since the fires and get back to doing what they do best: serving their customers and remaining part of the fabric of Altadena.”

Caruso and Banc of California Chairman and CEO Jared Wolff personally visited each business last Tuesday, Sept. 2 to meet the owners, hear their accounts of post-fire struggles, and deliver the checks.

Webster’s Community Pharmacy, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year, is among the businesses using the funds to repair fire-related damage and continue serving residents. Organizers said the grants demonstrate a commitment to helping Altadena families and businesses rebuild with optimism for the future.

“As the largest independent bank based in Los Angeles, Banc of California takes pride in supporting small businesses that define the character and vitality of our communities,” Wolff said.

“Seeing firsthand the strength and spirit these small-business owners bring to Altadena was inspiring, and they are exactly who our initiative was designed to help. We look forward to distributing more grants and helping more small businesses recover.”

The Small Business Initiative, launched by Steadfast LA last month, provides grants of up to $50,000 for wildfire-impacted businesses in Altadena, Pasadena, Malibu, and the Palisades. More than 500 applications have been submitted so far, with grants for small businesses in Malibu and the Palisades scheduled in the coming days.

The program is funded by an initial $1 million contribution from Banc of California’s Wildfire Relief & Recovery Fund. Steadfast LA continues to provide added support and is soliciting further donations to extend the effort. Video from the Altadena visits, featuring the business owners’ own words on how the grants will aid recovery, has been posted on Steadfast LA’s social media channels, with more stories to be shared in the weeks ahead.

Steadfast LA, founded by Caruso, is a civic nonprofit created after the January fires. It works to revitalize Altadena, Pasadena, Malibu, and the Palisades by uniting community leaders and pursuing innovative solutions for faster rebuilding.

With more than $34 billion in assets and 80 branches, Banc of California is the largest independent bank headquartered in Los Angeles. Its charitable foundation supports financial literacy, job training, small business development, and affordable housing. The bank launched this recovery initiative with a $1 million donation to aid wildfire-impacted businesses.