Alhambra Feeds the Needy – Not Just Over the Holidays

This article first appeared in the ColoradoBoulevard.net December 2020 print edition.

Alhambra food delivery (Photo – Melissa Michelson)

Alhambra Councilwoman, and former school board member, Adele Andrade-Stadler and the Alhambra Teachers Association are collaborating with community members, City Hall, Alhambra firefighters and police officers to deliver food to those in need in Alhambra.

By Melissa Michelson

Tammy Scorcia, President of the Alhambra Teachers Association (ATA), says they will continue to do so as long as needed.

Since March 2020, ATA has been feeding Alhambrans based on the honor system. Between March and August, they delivered food to 200 families weekly. With 200-300 families now on their roster, ATA coordinates weekly and large monthly delivery drives from the food donations of community members.

Most families receive one bag of dried goods, one box of dairy, and one box of produce. At a December 12, 2020 food delivery drive, LA Food Bank provided a bag of mandarin oranges for each family with rice, beans, a can of fruit, a can of veggies, pasta and more. ATA also delivers baby formula if requested.

Every Saturday

On Saturday community volunteers arrive between 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Upon arrival, their temperature is taken. Police officer and firefighter union volunteers pack their cars with foodstuff, give them delivery addresses and flyers about COVID precautions in English, Spanish or Chinese. Helpers on site are usually from Republic Services, Asian Youth Center, the Freemasons, and Alhambra City Hall staff.

To donate food, contact the Alhambra Teachers Association at 3030 W. Main Street, Alhambra, CA 91801: ataprestammyscorcia@gmail.com.

Bags of food waiting to be delivered (Photo – Melissa Michelson)

Note to Driver Volunteers:

• Please wear a face mask, gloves and adhere to all physical distancing rules.
• Enter the Masonic Lodge parking lot. Wait in your car for someone to check you in, load your car, and provide you with a list of addresses for delivery.
• We will try to load your car as soon as possible but there could be a brief waiting period.
• Drop offs should be contactless.
• You will deliver 2-3 boxes per family to 4-7 family addresses. Please make as much room in your car as possible.

> This article appeared in the ColoradoBoulevard.net December 2020 print edition.