LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A $325,000 commitment announced today as part of Southern California Gas Co.'s 2021 Fueling Our Communities program will help feed people in need in Los Angeles County, according to the utility.
SoCal Gas is donating the money to eight local nonprofits that help address food insecurity, providing free meals, groceries and restaurant gift cards to thousands of individuals from 20 underserved communities across the county.
Last summer, the Fueling Our Communities program provided nearly 40,000 meals to seniors, students, farm workers and families. About 100 local restaurants benefited from the program, which also distributed nearly 8,000 gift cards totaling more than $162,000.
"While the local economy is slowing bouncing back more than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, there is still great need," said Andy Carrasco, vice president of communications, local government, and community affairs at SoCalGas.
"We recognize this and brought our Fueling Our Communities program back for a second year because food insecurity continues to be a reality in many of our communities and local businesses are still struggling. We thank our community partners for joining us in this initiative."
Charitable community partners and the communities served under the Fueling Our Communities program include:
-- TRUST South LA - South Los Angeles;
-- Human Services Association - Compton, Downey, Norwalk and Cudahy;
-- Friends of Cabrillo - Wilmington and San Pedro;
-- Catholic Charities - El Monte, Irwindale, Pomona, Rosemead and Duarte;
-- Alma Family Services - Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles;
-- LA Red Shield Community Center - Pico Union; and
-- Community's Child and El Camino College Foundation -- Lomita, Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Torrance, Carson and Compton.
The first event under the program, which is expected to last through the spring, was hosted over the weekend at Compton's Woodley Airport. SoCalGas, the Human Services Association, Assemblyman Mike Gipson, and Compton City Councilwoman Tana McCoy partnered to provide meal kits, groceries and gift cards from local restaurants to community members in need.
"At Human Services Association our mission is to promote wellness and build strong communities. That's why we are proud to partner with SoCalGas for a second year to help feed the most vulnerable members of our community and support local businesses," said Darren Dunaway, the HSA's director of senior services.
McCoy called the Fueling Our Community program a great example of community members coming together to help those in need.
"I thank SoCalGas and the participating charity organizations for understanding the needs of the community," she said.
Community's Child Executive Director Tara Nierenhausen said many people depend on programs like Fueling Our Communities to provide food for their families.
"We hope this initiative inspires others in the community to give back in whichever way they can to help those who need it most during this time," Nierenhausen said.
Beyond the Fueling Our Community program, SoCalGas has donated more than $4 million to nonprofit organizations to support the region's workforce, feed the hungry, provide bill assistance to customers, and more as part of COVID-19 recovery efforts.