With fires, power outages and water advisories striking the region, the Food Bank joins a community resource fair to help neighbors

On the morning of January 11, the Food Bank’s trucks could be seen being unloaded with pallets filled with food resources and organized for a community resource fair hosted by Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis at the East Los Angeles Civic Center. The distribution event came together in less than 48 hours due to the urgent needs of its community impacted by the local disasters that have struck the region this past week. Neighbors in the surrounding community, similar to many areas across LA County, have been grappling with unhealthy and harmful air quality levels due to the wildfire smoke.

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The community resource fair organized by Solis and her team included many different types of organizations, departments from the County and First Partner Jennifer Newsom visiting. Newsom spoke to the urgency of the fire relief efforts and the importance of coming together to help one another. She also helped distribute essential food resources to neighbors picking up necessities. 

RELATED: How the Food Bank Responds to Wildfires

Substantial wind gusts continue to be a concern for the area, causing power outages and forcing electricity and utilities to trigger precautionary shut-offs to help mitigate more dangerous conditions. As a result, many were left possibly without power and may have had interrupted refrigeration and food access. To support neighbors, the Food Bank brought 2,000 food kits consisting of fresh produce and shelf-stable items for anyone possibly having a hard time during this difficult time.

“This is going to be an ongoing situation for unfortunately not days but likely weeks and we’re bearing down,” Flood said. “We appreciate the volunteers who are here, the volunteers who help us at both of our distribution centers, the volunteers who help at our partner agency sites and the many donors, the food donors, financial and in kind donors, that make this work possible.” 

Through generosity, the Food Bank can continue to provide essential food and nutrition assistance to those impacted by the wildfires and beyond. Please consider donating to the Food Bank’s work.