2021 Our Families Need Us: We're Giving $200K in Grocery Gift Cards
Fieri Rossi One Voice Angel
Raised
I was first introduced to One Voice in the fourth grade. Eager to help those in need, I cheerfully added my name to the list. It's always the right thing to do. On the night of the volunteer event, it was almost Christmas and I entered Barker Hangar. I packed as many food boxes as I could handle. I remember the loud music and the kind and friendly lady on the microphone always making jokes as we loaded tons of boxes. My heart was touched when I knew that all the hungry people would be full on Christmas and that they would have one VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hoped that my contribution would mean a lot to someone else even if I didn't know them. With the help of all the wonderful people we worked with, we reached the goal. Sadly, last year was tough for all of us. Due to social distancing, One Voice decided to have an online event. The event involved running as far as possible to raise money for their organization. This is my third year volunteering with One Voice. My goal is to, once again, contribute to One Voice's dream. That is why I have decided to fundraise for One Voice and I am asking for your help.
We were so hopeful that this year we could resume our 37-year traditional Holiday Food Program. But we just can't.
With the pandemic still with us and with vaccines unavailable to preschool children, the joyous gatherings at the giveaway and the Barker Hangar are just not possible.
But with your generous hearts we will not let our families down! We want to make sure that again this year, 2,000 low income Head Start families will be able to celebrate the holidays with plentiful food knowing that we care.
For every $25 donation, we will send you a holiday card to give as a gift.
We were truly touched by the generosity of so many of you who helped us give our families $100 food cards last year during the holidays so they could celebrate at home. We were told by the Head Start social workers and in thank you letters from the families how much receiving those food cards and feeling cared about meant during a time of such isolation and hardship due to COVID-19.
Remembering and supporting our families in their time of need particularly during the holidays, means more than just the gifts we give. It brings hope. It's a reminder that they are not alone and that people care. Please help now. The more you give, the more we can do.
What began in 1983 with just seventy families now helps 2,000 families, or about 10,000 people, every year. For the last 37 years, the One Voice Holiday Food Program has provided Christmas food baskets, toys and books to Head Start families living in poverty in the Los Angeles area. All of the families meet federal and state mandated poverty levels.
Our Holiday Food Program depends on the support and involvement of people living within our community. Over 2,000 volunteers come together every year at the Barker Hangar to sort and package the food during the week before the actual giveaway, and most importantly, are on hand at our various Head Start distribution centers to personally give out the food with a sense of caring and family involvement.
Living in poverty is especially hard during the holidays when there are no resources to make the holiday special. The food, toys, books and celebration provided by the One Voice volunteers bring much needed hope to families living in poverty that lasts well beyond the holiday season.