This week, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Imelda Padilla is providing free hot meals, bottled water and masks for San Fernando Valley residents in response to the disastrous LA wildfires.
Padilla’s office distributed free N95 masks – to protect against diminished air quality from the fires – water, and bagged McDonald’s meals for adults and children via drive-thru giveaways in partnership with Osborne Neighborhood Church in Arleta on Jan. 14 and Jan.15.
The giveaways will continue at Osborne Neighborhood Church – located at 13501 Osborne St. – from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16. The next day, Friday, Jan. 17, North Valley Caring Services will host the giveaway at 15453 Rayen St. in North Hills. In addition, Padilla’s office is offering referrals to those seeking mental health care or other types of services.
The goal is to lend a helping hand and support those impacted, both directly and indirectly, by the fires, windstorms and power outages, which have disrupted the lives of many people across San Fernando Valley communities, according to Padilla. In some cases, local residents had no electricity in their homes for several days, and some families still remained without power at press time.
In addition, community members who work in the service industry who were employed in Pacific Palisades, Altadena or other affected areas may now be unemployed or unable to work. Padilla has also introduced a motion to create an emergency fund for impacted service workers.
“Our district is home to hardworking individuals, including gardeners, housekeepers, pool cleaners, caretakers and other service workers who often commute to serve families in areas like the Pacific Palisades and Malibu,” said Padilla in a statement to the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol. “The fires and resulting disruptions have left many without work and income, compounding the challenges of food insecurity and financial instability. We’ve stepped up to provide free hot meals, N95 masks and other essentials because … no one should face these hardships alone.”
For more information, contact the Sun Valley office of Councilwoman Imelda Padilla by calling (818) 771-0236; or contact her Van Nuys office at (818) 778-4999.