LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Councilman Mitch O'Farrell announced today that he has partnered with two organizations to provide food boxes for people in need amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
O'Farrell said his office is working with the Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund and the Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles to host monthly distributions of the boxes, specifically for residents of his district, which includes Echo Park, Silver Lake and parts of Hollywood.
"As my constituents continue to struggle due to the pandemic,my office is doubling down on our efforts to keep people fed and housed, moving forward with our work to help our most vulnerable residents and their families,'' O'Farrell said."I'm proud to partner with SALEF and SEE-LA to host this monthly food distribution in concert with providing subsidies to help keep tens of thousands of city residents housed, both with $1 million from my office's discretionary funds and $103 million from my work with the City Council.''
The first food box distribution will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Friday at O'Farrell's District Office, 1722 Sunset Blvd.
Residents who live in the 13th Council District can register for the monthly event and receive more information by emailing Julio Ramos of SALEF at jramos@salef.org or by calling or texting 213-246-2471.
Food insecurity has increased significantly during the coronavirus pandemic, O'Farrell said, citing a study from the USC Dornsife College's Public Exchange, which found one in four Los Angeles County households faced instances of food insecurity between April and July, well above pre-pandemic levels.
"COVID-19 has impacted all communities. We have seen the loss of jobs increase food insecurities in the most vulnerable communities across Los Angeles,'' SALEF Executive Director Jocelyn Duarte said. "We will provide essential resources like healthy and culturally sensitive foods as well as information to connect residents to healthcare services and other vital resources.''
Since March, SEE-LA officials said they have distributed more than 61,000 fresh food boxes from farms at 150 events across Los Angeles County.
The food box distributions will be hosted at 10 a.m. on the second Friday of every month at O'Farrell's District Office through 2021.