On December 3, The Federation’s Community Engagement Initiative hosted a panel of experts to discuss the crisis of childhood hunger in Los Angeles, and to share what they and others are doing to reduce its impact. Hunger is a daily reality for thousands of children throughout our City and beyond. Our audience heard how this widespread problem affects our communities and schools and what it means for our future. We engaged in an enlightening discussion with leaders who are working on the frontline and giving voice to this issue every day. Our panelists were Matt Sharp, Senior Advocate for California Food Policy Advocates (CFPA), Jessica Jones, Policy & Outreach Manager for the L.A. Regional Food Bank and David Binkle, LAUSD Director of Food Services/ Menu Compliance, and were joined by Nicola Edwards, CFPA’s Registered Dietician who trains teachers in the Breakfast First Program in the public schools. As an extra bonus, LAUSD Board Member Steve Zimmer joined us from the audience (he is an alumnus of the Federation’s New Leader Project) to describe the principles that have motivated the school board to implement the major changes we are seeing in LAUSD food programs.
If you feel inspired to take action against hunger in our community, please consider taking part in some of these wonderful, hands-on opportunities:
Food Drives
- JFS/SOVA – synagogue food drives, pantry drop-offs, and virtual food drives
- LA Regional Food Bank
- Westside Food Bank
- Project Chicken Soup – Prepare Chanukah latkes or deliver meals to Angelenos with serious illnesses on December 16th – (NOTE: DUE TO SAFETY AND SPACE CONSTRAINTS, YOU MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE)
- Union Station Homeless Services – Holiday Dinner in the Park
- Volunteer or donate to Fred Jordan Mission and Union Rescue Mission
- Big Sunday Holiday List
If you would like to be added to the list to receive information about future events and activities of our Hunger Initiative contact Flori Schutzer at (323) 761-8132 or FSchutzer@JewishLA.org.
For more information about The Hunger Initiative, please visit our website.
