When Disaster Strikes, Angelenos Step Up to Provide Mutual Aid 

Although Los Angeles may have a reputation for being “superficial” to the outside world, Angelenos have proven that when disaster strikes, they step up to help one another. As California, state and federal agencies lag in their response to the widespread wildfires that overtook LA last week, everyday Angelenos, grassroots organizations, places of worship and small businesses have launched massive disaster relief efforts across the county.

“The stories are terrible that we’re hearing, and it’s just incredible to see how the community is coming together to support each other,” said Jeff Palmer while volunteering at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia. 

“We came out here to drop off some donations, and seeing everybody jumping in and helping each other, we just couldn’t help but want to be a part of it and see how we could help and support,” he added.  

Overnight, one of the largest donation and distribution centers organically took shape in the large parking lot at Santa Anita RaceTrack in Arcadia, a short distance from the flames in Altadena. What started with some street vendors wanting to feed the community in need, exploded into a massive mutual aid effort that took on a life of its own, with the help of a group of TikTok food influencers who spread the word. 

Originally stationed at the Rose Bowl, the group needed to find a new location once the National Guard got called in and needed the extra space surrounding the Rose Bowl to set up camp for emergency responders. Eventually, they found the racetrack parking lot. 

“It’s just been a snowball effect,” said Allen Gharakhani, aka “Allen G” of the Klover King Agency, who helped secure the location and resources. “The only thing moving faster than the fires is this community coming together.” 

With no overarching direction, volunteers arriving in droves quickly formed structures and figured out ways to more efficiently accept, organize and distribute donations. 

Lines of cars waiting to unload goods snaked through the parking lot; mountains of clothing, shoes, bedding, diapers, water, food, toiletries, toys, books and more were stacked up in rows and booths were set up with people cooking fresh meals for the victims and volunteers. 

“Yes, it is for the people that were affected by the fire, but it’s also for the people that are in need,” said Gharakhani, who is not discriminating or policing those who are accepting the aid. 

Gharakhani said they accepted donations through Monday, with the rest of the week being distribution only. All remaining donations would then be dispersed to various locations throughout the community. 

The resource and distribution center at Santa Anita is one of many mutual aid sites in the area established in the wake of the wildfires. 

The Pasadena Community Labor Center, which connects immigrant day laborers with work, has become a resource hub at the base of the area affected by the Eaton Fire. The center quickly assembled what they called the “Volunteer Fire Relief Brigade.” In addition to resource distribution, volunteers and skilled laborers have been using rakes, machetes and chainsaws, to break down fallen trees and clean up debris in the area. They are also providing emergency relief for the day laborer community, including temporary shelter, food, water, and emergency kits.

Down the road, places of worship including the New Revelation Church, alongside the Los Angeles Urban League, are providing whatever they can to residents, such as grab-and-go meals, supplies, gift cards and emotional support.

“I feel like humanity is coming together,” said Pamela Rumps who was volunteering with her daughters at the racetrack after being evacuated from her home in Altadena. 

“It’s like one day you are watering your lawn and going to the grocery store, and the next day you’re in somebody else’s home,” said Rumps. “Our community is gone – the coffee shop that we went to, the bank that we banked at, all the restaurants, they’re gone.”

Rumps’ said her home was miraculously saved from the destruction of the Eaton Fire, but her neighbors were not as lucky. She embraced one neighbor she encountered collecting resources after losing everything. 

“We’re here to help wherever we can. I think that’s what everybody else is doing here,” Rumps said, adding that it was harder to wait around and do nothing. “Here,” she said, it feels like “you’re not alone.”