Last week the parking lot of the Forum in Inglewood, California was transformed into a major food distribution center were over 7,000 Inglewood residents and others were given bags that included 36 pounds of food. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank County joined forces with the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor to provide food assistance to those individuals and families who needed assistance as a result of COVID-19.
David May, Director of Marketing for the Food Bank said, “the bags contained food staples, vegetables and canned goods and this drive was especially targeting individuals in the hospitality industry.” While the countywide shutdown and safe at home orders have affected nearly all job categories, hospitality workers are typically at the lower end of the salary scale and a layoff or reduction in work hours can be particularly damaging to workers in this category.
Christian Castro, Communications Director for the Los Angeles Federation of Labor said the Inglewood Food Distribution Drive had been on the drawing board for nearly two weeks. “We really appreciate the support Mayor Butts and the Inglewood City Council provided in making today’s food drive a successful one. We would not have been able to execute this massive food giveaway, handing-out over 7,000 bags of food, without the complete support of the City of Inglewood and the city staff members who really stepped-up to make this happen.”
Volunteers from the Los Angeles Federation of Labor provided a significant role in making the event possible by bagging the food, directing traffic in the Forum parking lot and actually handing out the bags when they drove through the line.
Individuals were also given a copy of the Los Angeles County Food Guide that lists the sources for people seeking food assistance. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has been in operation for over 45 years and for information about their food distribution they direct individuals to visit their website at https://www.lafoodbank.org/find-food/pantry -locator//
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), encourages individuals who have lost their job or just need assistance to apply for CalFresh (foodstamps) and other benefits by visiting their website at http://dpss/lacounty.gov/wps/portal/doss.
The Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program is there for families in need and applicants may apply their website located at http://www.phfewic.org/apply
And finally, Inglewood Seniors or older adults, who may not already be enrolled in the Inglewood Senior Citizen Center home food distribution program may request meals from the Workforce Development Aging and Community Services organization by calling 800-510-2020.
