On a cold, sunny day, hundreds of people, including students and residents, gathered on Jan. 28 in parking lot one of Cerritos College to participate in an event that takes place every fourth Wednesday of the month.
The event is a food distribution organized by the LA Regional Food Bank in collaboration with the Falcon’s Nest.
Among the participants were entire families, mothers with their children, fathers with their children and even the eldest members of the household.
The activity involved more than two dozen volunteers and the atmosphere was very lively.
A police presence was on hand to maintain order as attendees moved through a line that stretched across the parking lot. The organization of the event was crucial in ensuring that attendees moved quickly, especially given the large number of participants.
Zuleka Rodriguez, an intern social worker at the Falcon’s Nest and a participant in the event, highlighted the impact food distribution events have on the community.
“It’s a really great event. We’re here to help the community members, you know, with food insecurity, and we give them free food,” Rodriguez said.
She added, “A lot of people love coming to this event. They tell us how big a change it makes in their lives to get this kind of support, so anyone who can help with the event makes a really big difference.”
Rodriguez was assigned the task of assisting people with disabilities.
“I’m helping at the table with our people who have disabilities. Those who can’t wait in line, we give them a ticket, and others will kind of take their place meanwhile so they can still pick up food today,” she noted.
Manuel Ramirez, a Norwalk community member, expressed that this type of support is essential for families who do not have stable incomes.
“This food distribution is helping me a lot because many of us don’t have a fixed income. The economy isn’t very good, and unexpected expenses aren’t enough to cover everything. So we need a little help, and that’s what helps you get by,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Faustina Arias, shared that the distribution allows her to access basic products that she can’t always afford.
“I was able to get potatoes, apples, and many things that will help me at home. I’m disabled, so I can’t work. It helps me a lot,” she said.
Arias added that this type of support “is essential; it’s not monetary, but it’s necessary help at home.”
The overall coordination was handled by Pamela Sepulveda, Falcon’s Nest case manager, who supervised volunteers and ensured that each distribution station was functioning correctly.
Sepulveda said, “The main goal of this food distribution is to ensure that students and local community members have access to food. Many of our students and community members are facing food insecurity with the rising price of groceries, job losses and many other issues. We just want to make sure nobody goes hungry.”
Among the food distributed were fresh produce such as potatoes and apples, frozen chicken, yogurt, sliced bread and a variety of canned goods, rice and beans.
The day’s assistance also included volunteers like Simonette, who handed out bread and yogurt.
“I think it’s a good cause,” she said. “You should do it because it is a lot of fun and very rewarding.”
“The Falcon’s Nest’s collaboration with the LA Regional Food Bank has been ongoing since 2016 and currently benefits approximately 700 families each month,” Falcon’s Nest program assistant Angelica Profumo said.
