A dedication to combat the growing hunger crisis in the Long Beach community, means each year more than 52,000 residents in need receive free nutritious groceries, via 10 Help Me Help You (HMHY) Grocery Grab N Go locations. With so many in need, it takes a community to feed a community. These life-transforming food services are made possible with the support of sponsors as well as the gracious food donations from community organizations such as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Ms. Loveridge, a Long Beach local and life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, recently provided nutritious grocery items to feed 635 family members including 279 children and 89 seniors at the Nutrition Knights - Perry Lindsey Academy Grocery Grab N Go location that services all Long Beach 8th District residents in need. As a Long Beach substitute teacher, mother of four, as well as a school and community volunteer and more, Ms. Loveridge works tirelessly to improve the lives of individuals and the Long Beach community at large. Through her affiliation with the Long Beach Communication Council, she brought over 240,000 pounds of food into Long Beach over the last two years through grants from the worldwide Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The church owns many farms and dairies that produce foods to be donated. After learning about HMHYs efforts to alleviate community food insecurity through school outreach programs, Ms. Loveridge was inspired to join forces and help. “Our church appreciates HMHY and the difference you make in keeping people fed always and not just during these difficult times. It is our honor to support your cause to serve the underserved”, said Ms. Loveridge.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregation have also volunteered at HMHY Grocery Grab N Go locations. Volunteers work a 4-hour shift to package groceries and hand them out to customers at the selected locations. This allows volunteers to learn new skills, make new friends, become part of a productive team, and give back to the community. “You have helped our members by allowing them opportunities to serve their neighbors, their brothers and sisters”, praised Ms. Loveridge.
Each week, HMHY provides fresh and packaged groceries on at least two different days via 4 rotating Grocery Grab N Go locations in targeted Long Beach areas. To ensure school children, families and neighbors feel welcome, these food services are offered via six school locations and 4 community locations. More than 500 eligible seniors also receive groceries home delivered via Long Beach Food Pantry Delivery (LBFPD). All grocery bags are filled with nutritious foods purchased from Foodbank of Southern California and Food Forward and include proteins; carbohydrates; dairy; fruit and vegetables; cereals. Sometimes, the supply is not enough to meet the demand, and this is why HMHY is forever thankful for the charitable food provided for many of our Grocery Grab N Go locations. It is HMHYs mission to transform the lives our neighbors in need by reducing hunger and poverty, improving nutrition and health, boosting family economic security; as well as motivating their transition to self sufficiency. If you are interested in becoming a community partner by donating food or if you have a community group/company (5 or more people) looking for a regular volunteer opportunity, please contact our office at www.helpmehelpu.org/contact-us or call
562 612-5001.
