Photo by Robert Torrence Volunteers, sponsors and supporters participate in serving the homeless on Skid Row.

Mothers In Action, Brotherhood Crusade, L.A. Sentinel, Wal-Mart and the Labor Union, L.A. County DPSS, WAMU and many, many more sponsors and supporters

On Saturday, February 23, Los Angeles homeless men and women received free lunch at the “2008 Friends Serving Friends” Annual Homeless Feed. Sponsored by the Brotherhood Crusade, Mothers in Action, the Los Angeles Sentinel and WalMart, more than one thousand people of all races, religions and ethnicities were treated to an all-you- can-eat meal and numerous health services.

“We began this event not to feel better than anyone, but to serve, as friends, a population that is most often ignored by society,” said Brenda Marsh-Mitchell, President of Mothers in Action.

More than an opportunity to feed the homeless, Friends Serving Friends brought in sister nonprofits and county agencies like Angels for Sight, who passed out 300 pairs of reading glasses. Dental, diabetes and blood pressure screenings were available, as were flu shots and HIV testing by the JWCH AIDS Project. The Brotherhood Crusade gave away 500 pairs of wool gloves and t-shirts. “All of our programs were created with the intent to support those in need,” said President and CEO Charisse Bremond Weaver.

Los Angeles Sentinel subscribers, Chef Marilyn Soul Food Express, Lois Buckman, president of Regalettes donated new blankets for the days outreach. The City of Refuge Church in the City of Gardena made contributions and donated transportation for the day. Mothers in Action coordinated many of the donations that were received and responsible for coordination of the day’s events.

However the day would not have been possible without the 500 volunteers who gave a day of their life, for the sole purpose of helping others. “So many people turned out to help, adding inspiration and meaning to the idea of Friends Serving Friends,” Weaver added. “Thank you so much.”

Appreciation is also extended to Co-Chairs: Councilwoman Jan Perry, Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke, Congresswoman Laura Richardson, Assemblymember Curren Price, Assemblymember Mike Davis, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Councilman Bernard Parks, Councilman Herb Wesson, L.A. Police Commiss-ioner John Mack and LAUSD School Board Member Marguerite La Motte.

Additional participants included: 100 Black Men; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; Angels for Sight; Bakewell Family Foundation; California Teachers Association; Clean and Green; City of Los Angeles Department of Sanitation; City of Refuge; Coalition on Mental Health; County of Los Angeles Public Health Central Health Center; County of Los Angeles Public Health Investigations; County of Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department; County of Los Angeles DPSS Toy Loan; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; Drug Free Marshal; Havin’ Fun Parties; Hilton Hotels; His Sheltering Arms; Hubert Humphrey Medical Center; JWCH AIDS Project; LA Mission; La Sassier Catering; PAVA; PHFE WIC Program; RFP Insurance; SEIU Local 434B; Shabazz Fish; Shelter Partnership; Southwest Airlines; State Farm Insurance; UPS; Voices, INC; Washington Mutual and the Weingart Foundation.

For more information about community events visit www.lasentinel.net.

Published in : News, Local