LYNWOOD — Hundreds of cars lined up July 11 to receive boxes of fresh and packaged food from the city of Lynwood, which organized a food giveaway to help struggling families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The city handed out approximately 240,000 pounds of food to families in partnership with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood). The food drive was open to all county residents, with identification checks taking place at the event.
City workers and volunteers gave out 80 pounds of food per family, making up four boxes filled with fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat and packaged foods. The aid comes at a time of high unemployment rates; the California unemployment rate reached a record 15.5 percent in April.
“Seeing the enormous need in the city, we decided to reach out to people to try to put together an LA-region food bank,” said Lynwood City Councilman Jose Luis Solache, who mentioned smaller food dropoffs that the city had organized previously. “We’ve been seeing the commitment of our community these past few weeks. This just happens to be the biggest event we’ve done so far.”
Volunteers included employees and students from the Lynwood Unified School District, as well as members from the Reformed Church of Los Angeles and Greater Emmanuel Temple.
“This is a community getting together, unifying for a good cause,” Solache said. “The cars have been nonstop, so without a doubt the help is needed.”
By Jose Ivan Cazares
Contributing Writer
