Pico Union Project’s food bank distributes 500 bags of food
3 years
Lines of people wrapped around the Pico Union Project’s (PUP) building in downtown Los Angeles on Aug. 27 for its weekly Vida Sana (healthy living) food distribution to local area families and individuals that need access to fresh produce.
PUP founder Craig Taubman said the event was busier than usual this week (even in 94 degree heat), because in addition to distributing fresh produce baskets, PUP was manning a COVID-19 vaccination site.
PUP, which was built in 1909 as the original Sinai Temple, distributes food Tuesdays and Fridays in partnership with healthy living initiative Seeds of Hope. Seeds of Hope provides garden-based nutrition education and practical cooking instruction, and delivers produce for PUP’s baskets which this week included oranges, celery, peaches, cucumbers, blackberries, apples, tangerines and pineapples.
By 11 a.m., 500 bags of food had been distributed.
“This is my second week doing this,” said volunteer Sharon Owens. “Being able to provide all this food to those who need it is a real blessing.”
Prior to the pandemic, Taubman said PUP was seeing 150 to 250 families every other week. Seeing the need to feed more neighbors and community members, they now distribute food to
400 to 500 families twice a week. Any leftover food is picked up and donated by other local food banks and distribution organizations who deliver food to their communities.
“This is a community [made up of PUP volunteers, staff and locals in need] that knows each other, that talks to each other [and] supports each other,” Taubman said. “When word is out that we distribute food, they come, and we are ready for them.”
To learn more about the Pico Union Project or Vida Sana food distribution email Info@Picounionproject.org or visit the website.
