LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) and Salvation Army today distributed family food boxes with the equivalent of 40,000 meals to 2,000 families as part of their continued relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The food boxes contained non-perishable groceries, canned goods, and a Smart & Final gift card. In addition, families received hygiene items that are essential to daily life during the pandemic such as hand sanitizer and cleansing wipes. Dodgers Foundation/Up2Us LA Field Champions, SoCal Honda Dealers, and Salvation Army employees were on hand to help with the drive-through distribution.
“Food insecurity has been a major challenge for so many families during this pandemic, and we know these boxes of essential food items and gift cards will have a great impact in providing 40,000 meals for our community,” said Naomi Rodriguez, Dodger Vice President of External Affairs and Community Relations. “Community service is at the heart of the Dodger organization, and we’re committed to continuing our relief efforts and working in concert with our local leaders to help fill the needs of our community during these tough times.”
“Over 80% of our Dodgers RBI families qualify for free and reduced lunch. Today is one of the many ways LADF is working to address food insecurity for our families during this pandemic,” said Nichol Whiteman, LADF Chief Executive Officer. “We are doing our best to listen to our families and nonprofit partners and will continue our efforts to distribute food boxes, books and educational resources, hygiene supplies, toys, and more to help meet their needs and support the communities we serve.”
This event was the latest in the Dodgers and Dodgers Foundation’s relief efforts, which began in early April and have provided more than 145,000 meals to the most vulnerable Angelenos and more than $177,000 worth of food, water, hygiene necessities, gift cards and Dodger products to community organizations.
The team has also provided grants to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, My Friend’s Place, the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles, and Brotherhood Crusade with additional grants to be provided to organizations that address homelessness, basic needs and food insecurity. Fans can learn more and those that are able to donate can join the Dodgers’ relief efforts by visiting Dodgers.com/Relief.
In addition, the Dodgers have supported the City and County of Los Angeles’ COVID-19 response by hosting the County’s largest testing site and serving as a staging area for LAPD and LAFD.
The Dodgers and Dodgers Foundation partnered with the following agencies and organizations to pre-select families for today’s event: Congressmember Jimmy Gomez, California State Senator Maria Elena Durazo, California State Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo, LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis, LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, LA City Councilmember Gil Cedillo, and LA City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell.
Source: Los Angeles Dodgers
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