This past year has presented hardship in the lives of many of our fellow Southern Californians. Before the pandemic, one in five residents in Los Angeles County faced food insecurity and it has only become worse. Realizing early on in the pandemic that our fellow community members were struggling to meet their basic needs, the Wescom Foundation stepped up to grant $45,000 to Food Share of Ventura County, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank Orange County, and Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino to help put food on the tables of those in need.
The Foundation knew our communities needed more help, especially during the holidays. In December, the Foundation launched a month-long campaign in support of our local food banks. Wescom members generously contributed more than $70,000 and the Foundation matched with an additional $50,000 to get food to those in our communities. Together, Wescom members and the Foundation far surpassed the campaign’s goal – donating over $121,000 to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino, and Food Share of Ventura County. That brings total donations to regional food banks to more than$165,000 in 2020. The Foundation will continue its great work of addressing critical human needs like food insecurity in 2021. Despite unprecedented challenges, we are making a difference in our communities and building better lives for Southern Californians and we could not do it without our members.
