> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Victims’ fund set up by Santa Monica chamber
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/victims-fund-set-up-by-santa-monica-chamber/
- Published: 2003-07-18T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T02:34:32.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Business, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Daily Press staff*

The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce announced it is spearheading the creation of the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market Victims Assistance Fund.

The fund will assist victims and their families who lost loved ones, or who were injured in the farmer’s market misfortune.

The fund has received numerous commitments from community members so far.

Mike Gruning, chairman of the chamber board, said Wells Fargo Bank has volunteered to be the depository for the fund with a donation of $10,000 to the fund and $10,000 to the Santa Monica Police Department.

US Bank also has agreed to donate $10,000 to the fund and will wave all credit card fees for people who want to make donations.

The local law firm of Harding, Larmore, Kutcher & Kozal is donating $1,000 and the Wild Oats Market will donate 5 percent of its sales for a day in both of its Santa Monica stores. “100 percent of all contributions go directly to the victims,” Gruning said. “ There are no overhead or administrative costs.”

A panel of community leaders will determine how the funds will be dispersed, Gruning said. Victims and their families can contact the Chamber of Commerce at (310) 393-9825 for compensation applications.

Anyone who is interested in donating can call (310) 393-9825 or donate directly at www.smchamber.com. The Chamber of Commerce is applying for charitable status; therefore all contributions will be tax deductible.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 18, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/071803.pdf?ref=smdp.com)