By Elizabeth Sharky

The Holiday season began on a high note for several hundred families in our area through the generosity of Assemblymember Ed Chau and his guests at his holiday charity toy drive event held at Langley Center in Monterey Park.  More than half of the toys were distributed to families receiving holiday food baskets from our Regional food pantry People For People located at 1126 E Las Tunas Drive in San Gabriel.  People For People is the regional full time pantry affiliated with the Los Angeles Food Bank.  The small, dedicated staff and volunteers provide food for low-income families and the homeless in Monterey Park, Alhambra, San Gabriel, Rosemead, Arcadia and Temple City.

The “Grinch”?  Money is always an issue but circumstances right now have created a true emergency.  Tuesday January 7th was the first day of 2014 for food distribution for People For People and two first time applicants arrived, frightened, worried and embarrassed.

Norene Rand, People For People director-is certain they won’t be the last of our neighbors who cut off suddenly from unemployment benefits on December 28,2013 will need food.  The agency was also hit by another unexpected major problem in December.  The “zero degrees” food truck they have used to transport and store all of their food “died” and cannot be repaired.
If you would like to make a fully tax deductible donation in ANY amount; mail your check to People For People 1126 E Las Tunas San Gabriel CA 91776 attention Midge.  For more information please call 626-285-2549