Virginia Avenue Park Food Pantry Needs Donations Amid Pandemic

SANTA MONICA, CA — Santa Monica city officials are asking the community to contribute to the Virginia Avenue Park Food Pantry, which has continued to serve locals with fresh meals throughout the pandemic.

Santa Monica City Council this week unanimously voted to immediately contribute $10,000 in discretionary funding and to commit up to another $10,000 in discretionary funding to match contributions made by others through Dec. 31, to support the Virginia Avenue Park Food Pantry.

The Council made the contributions in recognition of city staff who have served as front-line workers throughout the pandemic, according to a news release. They invited matching donations from the Santa Monica community to provide fresh food to families in need.

“We know Santa Monica community members are struggling and we want to rally around them with nutritious food this holiday season,” Mayor Sue Himmelrich said. “We invite you who are not struggling to join us in lifting up our fellow community members by donating to the We Are Santa Monica Fund. Your donation will help more families with food boxes through December and into the new year. The Council’s contribution honors the heroic and dedicated work of our City staff who have gone above and beyond to deliver excellent service despite our 2020 challenges.”

"Recent restrictions on business operations to stop the spread of COVID-19 are impacting more Santa Monica families as we near the holidays, the city said in a news release. "Every donation is appreciated and contributes to community resiliency."

Councilmembers thanked donors and community members as they aim to reach the $10,000 matching fund goal set this week.

To donate, visit calfund.org/wearesantamonica/ and select “Holiday Food Pantry” through the area of support dropdown.

Community donations have helped to provide 2,000 food boxes to Santa Monica families since Nov. 1 for people who are experiencing food insecurity each week through the pandemic.

Santa Monica Mayor Pro Tem Kristin McCowan shared why this program matters to the community:

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 50 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.