Food Insecurity and Race: Virtual Workshop (MLK Day)

At this time registration is closed. You can still view the event by streaming live HERE.

Learn how food insecurity has disproportionately affected Black Americans and advocate for change.

A SPECIAL VIRTUAL MLK DAY PROJECT:

• Make sack lunches in your home kitchen and then drop them off at one of our partner locations.
• Learn how to advocate for systemic change by signing petitions, contacting government officials, and supporting policies that address food insecurity. 

WHY: Racial inequities in food insecurity have deepened in the wake of the pandemic and its economic fallout. According to California Food Policy Advocates, Black households are 3.5 times more likely to experience food insufficiency than white households. It is important to recognize the ways that structural and systemic racism impact food access, and advocate for change to help foster true equity in our community. The volunteer project gives volunteers the chance to have a direct positive impact, while the advocacy action can help lead to more long-term policy changes. 

REQUIREMENTS: In order to participate, volunteers will need to be able to do the following -

• Pre-purchase food items (like lunchmeat and side snacks) to assemble a minimum of ten (10) sandwich sack lunches during the project. List of items will be provided upon sign up.
• Deliver the packed lunches to one of our partner drop-off locations:
  • The Methodist Church in Hollywood between 12PM and 2PM
  • Midnight Mission in downtown LA between 7AM and 11AM

THE ADVOCACY ACTION: Lyric Kelkar from Inclusive Action will present on how you can  support the fight against food insecurity. After learning about which policies need your support and which government officials you should contact to help keep them accountable, she will direct you to petitions you can sign to help.

LOCATION: This opportunity takes place online. You will be emailed the link after signing up. To participate in the volunteer project, you will need to be able to drop-off your sack lunches at one of our partner locations. We are working on securing additional partners to provide additional drop-off locations. Further drop-off instructions will be provided once you’ve signed up.  

MLK DAY OF SERVICE: This is a part of L.A. Works’ MLK Jr. Day of Service 2021 event, our first ever multi-platform event to honor Dr. King’s life and legacy. The day-long, choose your own adventure service experience builds upon the anti-racism movement through: an interactive new March on Washington via Minecraft; virtual projects @home focused on systemic racism and advocacy actions; and a drive-in experience. More at laworks.com/mlk.

QUESTIONS? Email the Opportunity Leader below. 

WANT TO SIGN UP? Click the Sign Up button below!