SAN DIMAS, CA – The Alhambra Unified School District (AUSD), Tzu Chi Foundation, the YMCA, and City of Alhambra, will hold a “Back-to-School Kick-Off” and Community Food Pantry on August 5, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, at Alhambra High School, at 101 S. Second Street, Alhambra, CA 91801.
The free event is open to the public and Tzu Chi Foundation will provide fresh groceries, haircuts and second-hand clothes on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, Tzu Chi Foundation will provide sportswear, backpacks and school supplies, plus a $15 cash card to purchase shoes, to more than 500 students identified by the AUSD as being in need.
This collaboration between the Alhambra School District and the Tzu Chi Foundation, along with the Alhambra and Monterey Park communities, demonstrates how numerous entities working together can provide a greater benefit for recipients in need.
“The Alhambra School District is so grateful to provide such an incredible opportunity to our students and their families in kicking-off the new school year!”
In the United States, food insecurity affects one in four children and one in six adults. To fight hunger, the Tzu Chi Mobile Food Pantry travels throughout Southern California on a weekly and ad hoc basis, serving the most impoverished communities.
Since 1993, I have seen the Tzu Chi Foundation provide a helping hand in our local communities through incredibly selfless humanitarian work and community service.
“Tzu Chi deserves our thanks for bringing fresh produce, clothing, and school supplies to Alhambra High School on August 5, as well as for sharing their message of compassionate care with our communities.”
For each distribution of its Food Pantry Program, Tzu Chi stocks two 22-foot trucks with up to 20,000 pounds of fresh produce and wholesome food, serving up to 500 families; up to 20,000 families annually. In 2016, 26,800 people benefited from the Tzu Chi Food Pantry Program and 62,349 hot meals were distributed.
We are so appreciative of the many service groups that have come together for people in need and especially for our younger generation who shouldn't have to worry about simple necessities in life.
Tzu Chi's mission is to seek out the disadvantaged and vulnerable and provide assistance where needed.
“The collaboration of Tzu Chi and Alhambra School Districts will allow structured and continuing social and charitable services to assist those in Alhambra and neighboring cities. These services include back to school programs, mobile food pantries, free medical services, job referrals for students’ parents and other case based direct assistance. Working together, we aim to stamp out poverty and materially improve the lives of those in our community.”
About Tzu Chi:
Tzu Chi Foundation’s footprint of humanitarian aid at the forefront of poverty reduction and disaster relief has reached over 94 countries since 1966. In the United States, in 2016, Tzu Chi USA distributed over $1.6 million in cash cards, benefiting 4,178 families impacted by 48 disasters. Between 1993 and 2016, Tzu
Chi USA offered medical services to 551,176 individuals from underprivileged or underserved families across America. Its mobile food pantry travels to impoverished communities in California weekly, benefiting 20,000 families annually. And over 900 inmates have received spiritual support through books, magazines, and the more than 1,200 letters that were answered, offering guidance towards a meaningful life of helping others. To learn more about Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, please visit: www.tzuchi.us.
Media Contacts:
Tzu Chi Foundation
Sabrina Ho
626-999-6150
[email protected]
Alhambra Unified School District
Laurel Bear, Ph.D.
(626) 943-3410
[email protected]
