LOS ANGELES, April 20, 2020 – The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region announced today that, after one month of partnership with Los Angeles Unified School District, more than 10 million meals have been provided to students and families at the more than 60 Grab & Go Food Centers across the district. This achievement coincides with National Volunteer Week (April 19 - 25) and the organization honors its volunteers who are helping people in need, even during the uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

SEE: B-Roll of the Grab & Go Sites (Vimeo)

ALSO SEE: Photos of the Grab & Go Sites (Flickr)

Throughout the past month, more than 950 Red Cross volunteers and partners have reported to the Grab & Go sites to hand out meals to thousands of families. This list includes those who have volunteered throughout the years from our Disaster Action Team to writers and editing. What’s truly telling is that one-third of these volunteers are Angelenos who have signed up for the first time because they saw a need and they had the time to give.

“The amount of people who have showed up early in the morning and stood on their feet for 3-4 hours just to make sure people are not hungry has been heart-warming,” said Jarrett Barrios, CEO for Red Cross Los Angeles Region. “Angelenos have shown their commitment to supporting the city and that we are in this together. We honor these heroes, who represent more than 90 percent of our workforce, for giving their time to help people in need.”

Facing the new normal head-on, the Red Cross has continued its important work though online avenues trying to reach the broader community:

• Red Cross AmeriCorps members have educated more than 23,200 individuals about preparedness education when they pick up food at the Grab & Go Food Centers. This has given children and adults access to COVID-19 safety information, Monster Guard (an emergency preparedness mobile app designed for children) and information on how to create a disaster preparedness kit.
• AmeriCorps members also are providing disaster preparedness education to underserved neighborhoods, schools and communities through their "Be Red Cross Ready + COVID-19" workshops on Webex.
• Though digital platforms, the Red Cross has started offering a series of interactive Facebook Live broadcasts. The programming is designed to connect those at home with the work of the Red Cross and its community partners. Join us for Red Cross LA Facebook Fridays.
• There are also free online COVID-19 Continuity of Operations Workshops being offered to nonprofit and community organizations in the Los Angeles area, enabling organizations to continue to provide services safely and in compliance with public health directives during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These have been challenging times, and the Red Cross greatly appreciates the incredible generosity shown by those who have rolled up a sleeve to donate blood and platelets and who have scheduled upcoming donation appointments during this coronavirus outbreak. This is the time to take care of one another.

For the latest information on how you can help the Red Cross, please visit redcross.org/la-covid.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA or @CruzRojaLA.