Venice Food Drive

Blanca Martinez is a hard-working mother of five who grew up in our Venice neighborhood. She attended local schools, sent her children to the very same schools she attended, and for the past several years has worked as the Community Representative for her ex-elementary school, Westminster Elementary. When the Covid crisis hit no one could have been more aware of the suffering of local people who had lost their jobs, and children who were stuck at home without the guaranteed breakfasts and lunches that the school provided for its Title 1 students. More than 54 million people, including 18 million children, may experience food insecurity in 2020.

Blanca decided to do something about that suffering and in February 2020, she partnered with a non-profit, Food Cycle, to create the VENICE FOOD DRIVE (VFD). With bountiful donations from several local stores. Blanca’s VFD is able to provide between 60-80 families each week with fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, meats, bread and baked goods. Twice a week, on Saturday and Monday afternoons, families have the opportunity to stock up on what they need, and they are often able to pick up extras like , disposable gloves, mask and even diapers.

These extras, plus the cost of ice, cooler chests, display tables,  bagging supplies, PPE, gas for cars and trucks picking up donations, have all been covered by Blanca and her family. It costs about $60 each week to keep the VFD going smoothly.

PLEASE DONATE AND SPONSOR A VFD DAY.
If you can’t support a full $60 week, please give what you can to help keep the VFD going for families in need. Food insecurity is a growing problem in the United States. Our community needs Blanca’s efforts.