By: Ana Alverez
LAUSD Grab ‘n Go Centers are providing free meals for families and communities during these tough times.
LAUSD Grab ‘n Go has provided nearly $4 million meals to families and communities throughout LA County since March 18th, 2020. As of October, the Bureau of Labor Statistics stated, “the unemployment rate declined by 1.0 percentage point to 6.9 percent, and the number of unemployed persons fell by 1.5 million to 11.1 million”.
As families and community members struggle to get back on their feet, they nevertheless have the relief of knowing free meals will be provided.
Congressman (D) Adam Schiff of Burbank joined LAUSD Grab ‘n Go and Project Angel food on August 20th to help distribute meals for those in need. It was meant to bring light to the despair of families who are in desperate need of food while simultaneously showcasing the support the city has for its people.
As of May, the Heroes Act was passed by the House of Representatives which is meant to enhance unemployment benefits and provide a second stimulus check to help those in tough situations. The act could help millions of American’s make ends meet but Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell refused to bring the bill to a vote.
There are roughly 60 locations of LAUSD Grab ‘n Go Centers located in Los Angeles County. Each family and community member are able to get up to 6 meals on request and with no information, such as a barcode needed. Grab ‘n Go are now open Monday through Friday from 7 am to 10 am.
They are located in Los Feliz, Huntington Park, and the Valley, nearly everywhere Angelinos can bus to.
The new hours are meant to accommodate community members and parents while their children or child are back to online remote learning enjoying their nutritious meals.
Grab ‘n Go also teams up with Food banks several days of the week, throughout the month. Food banks’ provides rich meats and vegetables in large quantities. They are served in large boxes weighing nearly a ton, which could even last two weeks on end. So yes, be prepared to lift with your legs. Each meal from Grab ‘n Go that are provided packages enough for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Not to mention, starting Friday, November 20, 2020, until further notice, Grab ‘n Go on Fridays’ will be providing free meal kits to last the weekend so families and community members’ do not have to wait two whole days until their next meal.
The meal kit provides double the quantity of food compared to a regular meal bag served. Also, with every meal kit a family or community member asks for, they will be given half a gallon of 1% low fat milk per bag. That’s right, families and community members will be supplied with more milk than the amount of times we were able to hug our grandma this year.
To find a specific location near you, you can go on https://achieve.lausd.net/Page/16904 to find the best Grab ‘n Go center to accommodate your needs.