This morning and for the second time this year, a big rig full of 48,000 pounds of food arrived at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Long Beach.
The food—which includes more than 7,000 pounds of meat, 6,000 pounds of cheese and 400 gallons of milk—will be distributed to more than two dozen food banks, nonprofits, neighborhood associations and other religious groups.
“We are part of the community and, like many churches helping address community needs, we want to share love and support in this difficult year we’ve all experienced,” said city auditor and longtime churchgoer Laura Doud.
The truckload of food is estimated to feed 1,400 people for a week, organizing committee member Staci Loveridge said.
“We did this three months ago and it’s already time to restock the shelves again, so there’s a serious need,” she said, noting that perishables like meats, produce and dairy products are in high demand.
The philanthropic distribution was made possible due to tithes and offerings of churchgoers during the pandemic.
“I believe today as a city we are working together to feed not only those who are homeless, but the working poor,” said Torie Russell, pastor at Long Beach’s Temple Baptist Church. “It is our daily goal to defray the cost of living. Folks are struggling to make it through.”
Lisa Gillet, a case manager for Lutheran Social Services, was among volunteers unloading cardboard boxes full of produce from the truck.
“This donation is huge for us. It means that we are able to support the families in our community in Long Beach,” she said. “We’re going to be able to feed probably about 150 families with this donation alone. It’s such an awesome blessing.”
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Richard Grant contributed to this report.
