BY DEVIKA C. MEHTA
PACOIMA, CA - The Sikh community of Los Angeles hosted a holiday drive on December 16 for nearly 700 homeless and low income families in Pacoima. The 6th annual holiday event ‘Sharing is Caring’ was organized by the Khalsa Care Foundation to spread smiles and hope among all. Hundreds of homeless and low income...
PACOIMA, CA - The Sikh community of Los Angeles hosted a holiday drive on December 16 for nearly 700 homeless and low income families in Pacoima. The 6th annual holiday event ‘Sharing is Caring’ was organized by the Khalsa Care Foundation to spread smiles and hope among all. Hundreds of homeless and low income...
families queued up early morning on Dec 16 to receive benefits. After standing in line for hours, around noon, they were warmly welcomed by the Sikh community and received a vegetarian meal, clothing, toys and much more in a carnival-like setting. The event that was sponsored by KCF from noon to 2 p.m. at the Sikh Temple here also saw organizers and volunteers distributing free bags of food, toiletries, winter wear and more to the hundreds who came, who were thoroughly enjoying themselves in the relaxed atmosphere with their friends and families.
Speaking on behalf of KCF, Bhajneet Singh told IJ, “We host this event each year for local families in need. We have a food drive at our temple every Friday, but this event is our largest because it draws hundreds of families. This event gives us an opportunity to do something positive for our neighbors, to get to know them and so that they can get to know us. We want our neighbors to know that we are here as a resource for them, and that we work in partnership with local schools, the Los Angeles Police Department and elected officials to support our community and help local families.”
He added, “KCF knows there is great need throughout the city, and particularly in areas like Pacoima where we see larger numbers of low-income families. In fact a study by the Center for Southern California Studies at Cal State Northridge showed that the proportion of families living at or below the poverty level remains extremely high in the northeast San Fernando Valley, with Pacoima exceeding countywide averages.” Elaborating about the services, another volunteer Geetika Walia also informed, “KCF– a Sikh-American non-profit organization provides community services for children, youth and adults, and sustains the social vitality and cultural vibrancy of the Sikh American heritage. We have held this holiday carnival for the last five years as an effort to bring the community together and raise awareness about its work to support local families with critical resources. The event has distributed more than 12,000 new items of clothing, 10,000 toys, and 25,000 lbs. of food/ dry goods to families in need.”
KCF’s efforts certainly paid off as the drive was a huge success and witnessed the arrival of nearly 2000 people, who became part of the Sikh community mission. The program also saw the involvement of special guests like Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board Member Kelly Gonez; Mayor Garcetti’s East Valley Area Representative, Brian Gavidia; Representative Jessica Orellana, County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl office, and Audrey Noda, who represented State Treasurer John Chiang.
Commending the services of Sikhs in the region, Gonez talked about Sikh American community’s efforts and their selfless acts time and again. Meanwhile, Gavidia took to stage and lauded KCF by saying, “In recent years, the Sikh community has looked to support local families and neighbors in Pacoima through a holiday community event at its Sikh temple, or gurdwara, as part of “seva,” selfless service to others. This is really inspiring.”
Gavida , on behalf of Mayor Garcetti’s office, presented the Foundation with a honorary certificate. Another certificate came from John Chiang office and an acknowledgement certificate was also awarded by KCF to the 7-Eleven team that has been tirelessly part of the community’s mission and food drive for the past five years. In addition, organizers and volunteers distributed 2,100 free bags of food, clothes, and toys with each family receiving three bags of new items. The event also featured youth cadets, a police car and an L.A. Fire Department engine. Hundreds took part in carnival games and a raffle draw leading to several happy winners. At the end, everybody left with beautiful smiles, pleased with all they had received.
Speaking on behalf of KCF, Bhajneet Singh told IJ, “We host this event each year for local families in need. We have a food drive at our temple every Friday, but this event is our largest because it draws hundreds of families. This event gives us an opportunity to do something positive for our neighbors, to get to know them and so that they can get to know us. We want our neighbors to know that we are here as a resource for them, and that we work in partnership with local schools, the Los Angeles Police Department and elected officials to support our community and help local families.”
He added, “KCF knows there is great need throughout the city, and particularly in areas like Pacoima where we see larger numbers of low-income families. In fact a study by the Center for Southern California Studies at Cal State Northridge showed that the proportion of families living at or below the poverty level remains extremely high in the northeast San Fernando Valley, with Pacoima exceeding countywide averages.” Elaborating about the services, another volunteer Geetika Walia also informed, “KCF– a Sikh-American non-profit organization provides community services for children, youth and adults, and sustains the social vitality and cultural vibrancy of the Sikh American heritage. We have held this holiday carnival for the last five years as an effort to bring the community together and raise awareness about its work to support local families with critical resources. The event has distributed more than 12,000 new items of clothing, 10,000 toys, and 25,000 lbs. of food/ dry goods to families in need.”
KCF’s efforts certainly paid off as the drive was a huge success and witnessed the arrival of nearly 2000 people, who became part of the Sikh community mission. The program also saw the involvement of special guests like Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board Member Kelly Gonez; Mayor Garcetti’s East Valley Area Representative, Brian Gavidia; Representative Jessica Orellana, County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl office, and Audrey Noda, who represented State Treasurer John Chiang.
Commending the services of Sikhs in the region, Gonez talked about Sikh American community’s efforts and their selfless acts time and again. Meanwhile, Gavidia took to stage and lauded KCF by saying, “In recent years, the Sikh community has looked to support local families and neighbors in Pacoima through a holiday community event at its Sikh temple, or gurdwara, as part of “seva,” selfless service to others. This is really inspiring.”
Gavida , on behalf of Mayor Garcetti’s office, presented the Foundation with a honorary certificate. Another certificate came from John Chiang office and an acknowledgement certificate was also awarded by KCF to the 7-Eleven team that has been tirelessly part of the community’s mission and food drive for the past five years. In addition, organizers and volunteers distributed 2,100 free bags of food, clothes, and toys with each family receiving three bags of new items. The event also featured youth cadets, a police car and an L.A. Fire Department engine. Hundreds took part in carnival games and a raffle draw leading to several happy winners. At the end, everybody left with beautiful smiles, pleased with all they had received.