Foothill Unity Center – A Food Pantry Giving Back to a Community in Need

The Pasadena food pantry hosted a food distribution to help those impacted by the wildfires in their community.

When the wildfires started, the world came together to find ways to help. Whether through financial or product donations or emotional support, hundreds of thousands of individuals, companies and organizations came together to help those impacted.

The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank jumped into action immediately, offering evacuation centers and its partner agencies close to either wildfire with food, household essentials, and overall support to better assist those who were evacuated.

One of those agencies is the Foothill Unity Center. With one location in the heart of Pasadena, the nonprofit organization knew it had to do something to help its neighbors. After sorting out the details, they knew it was time to serve their community by hosting a food and essentials distribution as they know best.

Hundreds of individuals and families impacted by the fires showed up to receive support. Wilder was one of those individuals who attended the distribution to get help for himself and his two children. Although Wilder did not lose his home, he received two evacuation notices that kept him on edge. Seeing friendly faces at Foothill Unity Center helped put him at ease.

“I’ve been coming here since before the wildfires,” Wilder said. “I’m very grateful for the help they’ve given me. The help they give you can last about 3-4 days.”

Wilder and the hundreds who showed up at the Foothill Unity Center were welcomed with open arms by the staff, which included Cleon Delgado. Like his fellow coworkers, Delgado was eager to give back to his community, so the moment they were back, he loved it.

Giving back to his community is something that Delgado loves most about his job. During a distribution, a family with a young boy received peanut butter, an item that sparked joy in the young boy. After hearing his enthusiasm, Delgado ran back to the warehouse and picked up a can of jelly and bread, perfect for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, which made the family’s day.

It’s small victories like these that make the Food Bank’s more impactful. Providing food security to neighbors in a time of need, as well as throughout the year, is the Food Bank’s mission. Join our fight against hunger by making a contribution today.