LOS ANGELES, April 9, 2020 – The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region announced today that after three weeks of partnership with Los Angeles Unified School District more than 5.7 million meals have been provided to students and families at the more than 60 Grab & Go Food Centers across the district. This is more meals than the 4.5 million meals and snacks the Red Cross and partners distributed during Hurricane Harvey, one of the worst flooding disasters in U.S. history.
SEE: B-Roll of the Grab & Go Sites (Vimeo)
ALSO SEE: Photos of the Grab & Go Sites (Flickr)
Throughout the past three weeks, more than 570 Red Cross volunteers and partners have reported to the Grab & Go sites to hand out meals to thousands of families. To volunteer with the Red Cross and Los Angeles Unified visit redcross.org/la-covid.
In addition, Red Cross AmeriCorps members have been able to educate more than 20,950 individuals about preparedness education while 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.
“We have the privilege to witness people step up to help during times of disaster and crisis, and what we are seeing today has been incredible,” said Jarrett Barrios, CEO for Red Cross Los Angeles Region. “Hundreds of Angelenos have stepped up to help by volunteering, donating blood and supporting us so that we continue our lifesaving work in new and creative ways. The partnership with Los Angeles Unified is special to this area, and we are honored to be part of a mission that supports the community around us and prevents food insecurities.”
Facing the new normal head-on, the Red Cross has continued its important work though digital platforms offering a series of interactive Facebook Live broadcasts. The programming is designed to connect all those at home with the work of the Red Cross and its community partners. Join us for Red Cross LA Facebook Fridays.
Red Cross LA is also offering free online COVID-19 Continuity of Operations Workshops 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.