Our Mission
Bringing our community together to serve under-resourced kids and families of Estero Bay.
Our story
Estero Bay Kindness Coalition started in December 2017, when our founder Bobby deLancellotti met with the principal at Del Mar Elementary school in Morro Bay, CA to ask how he could serve the most vulnerable students during the holidays. The principal connected him with 10 families. For each family, Bobby bought a fun gift, a practical gift, and a $100.00 gift card to a local supermarket. That January, in a letter the principal sent Bobby thanking him for the positive impact the gifts had, she informed him that 64% of Del Mar students were living at or below the poverty line. He decided to do something about it–and the Kindness Coalition was born.
Today, the Kindness Coalition consists of 3 programs, 120 volunteers, and 2 food pantries. It’s partnered with 8 schools, 41 for-profits, 25 nonprofits, and 11 churches.
“QUIT WAITING FOR A PLAN, JUST GO AND LOVE EVERYBODY.” – Bob Goff
“QUIT WAITING FOR A PLAN, JUST GO AND LOVE EVERYBODY.” – Bob Goff
Our core values:
Love our community without an agenda
Provide dignity and hope to those we serve
Treat others the way we’d want to be treated
Bring diverse groups together to work for the greater good
Our founders
Bobby and Denise bring 35 years of experience working in the nonprofit world. Bobby worked for 31 years as a Pastor in the Vineyard community of churches, both as a Lead Pastor and a Senior Associate. Denise worked with children creating programs for personal growth and development while overseeing the children’s ministries. Following his work with Vineyard organizations, Bobby worked for 3 years at Lifewater International as the Church Mobilizer and the Lead Advocate promoting clean water as a global effort, which he stepped down from due to health reasons.
Bobby and Denise have been married for 40 years. They have 4 children and 6 grandchildren and currently live in Cayucos, California. They enjoy working together to better their community, walking their dogs on the beach, and spending time with their family.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement
The Estero Bay Kindness Coalition RESPECTS the unique qualities of all people;
BELIEVES that every person brings a unique perspective and experience to advance our mission to bring together nonprofits, for-profits, schools, and churches for the greater good and for those living on the margins in the Estero Bay area;
UNDERSTANDS that each Central Coast community member, donor, volunteer, partner, and employee must have equal access to solving problems associated with poverty;
INTENDS to include diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in all we do;
DEVOTES ourselves to using these practices for our organization and our community;
WELCOMES diversity, equity, and inclusion for all people, everywhere;
And is committed to EVERYDAY KINDNESS in our actions and our words.