SoCalGas partnered with Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA, Assemblymember Miguel Santiago, Los Angeles City Councilmember Kevin DeLeon and other partners to help distribute 1,000 turkeys and Thanksgiving bags to local families on Saturday. The utility donated a $5,000 grant for the event at Mariachi Plaza. The grant was used to purchase turkeys, canned goods, vegetables, and drinks for families in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles.
“We are happy to partner with nonprofits to help make Thanksgiving brighter for families who continue to recover from the effects of the pandemic,” said Denise Campos.
Campos continued, “These items will make all the difference for families who are trying to make ends meet or are living paycheck to paycheck. We want them to enjoy a traditional meal without having to worry about having to pay for them.”
Weingart East LA YMCA’s Executive Director Brenda Hernandez said, “The biggest thing for these families to take away is that they have a community that cares for them. We want to make sure they have holiday cheer, even though we’re still going through a pandemic, we are still suffering, and this community is still struggling.”
Hernandez continued, “Without partnerships and collaborations, we aren’t able to reach as much as we want to reach or the impact we want to make.”
SoCalGas has a long history of supporting the Weingart East LA YMCA. The nonprofit’s mission is to strengthen surrounding communities through food distribution, child and family programs, academics, and more. Last year SoCalGas donated $135,000 to the Los Angeles metropolitan YMCA, including $50,000 for COVID emergency support and $60,000 for Wi-Fi access. During the pandemic, LA metropolitan YMCA together delivered over 2.5 million meals and 76,000 hygiene kits in the community.
“There are still so many people that are unemployed, that are having challenges paying their rent and utility bills,” said Hernandez.
In addition, SoCalGas donated more than $9 million in 2020, including $3.5 million to nonprofit organizations throughout our service area to support the region's workforce, feed the hungry, and provide bill assistance to customers most affected by COVID-19.
To learn more about Weingart East LA YMCA click here.
