Pinoy grocery joins wildfire relief drives in California
A FILIPINO-RUN supermarket that is an hour from Los Angeles, California, is mobilizing relief efforts for affected Filipino Americans hit by the wildfires in the area. Island Pacific Supermarket, which runs across 20 locations in California and in Las Vegas, Nevada, announced on Friday (Saturday in Manila) that they are donating essential items. "Island Pacific Supermarket is mobilizing to support our community during this difficult time by donating thousands of food items, water, and other essentials this weekend," the store announced on its Facebook page. Their relief efforts start on Saturday (California time), where they will contribute to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Then, the next day, the supermarket will donate to four different evacuation sites: the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills, Ritchie Valens Recreation Center in Pacoima, and Sepulveda Recreation Center in Panorama. Island Pacific is also asking for volunteers to pack and distribute materials to the evacuation sites. "Although we are contributing thousands of essentials, we need your help to pack and distribute materials for evacuation centers," the store said. Those interested in helping can log in through a Google Document volunteer form posted on the store's Facebook page. Island Pacific was founded in 2000 by Niño Jefferson Lim, married to former actress Krista Ranillo. They have five children. The drive is in partnership with the nonprofit organization SoCal Filipinos, which is dedicated to the Filipino community in Southern California. "We know a lot of our kababayan and their families have been affected by the current windstorm and wildfires that erupted yesterday. Please keep safe and stay vigilant. If you are asked to evacuate, please do so," SoCal Filipinos board president Edmund Flores said in a statement. "Please pray for the safety of not only the people of our SoCal Filipinos community but for all those affected. And please pray for the safety and strength of our first responders who are risking their lives to keep us all safe," he added. Other Fil-Am drives in LA The Mexipino Foodfest, which celebrates Mexican and Filipino cuisine and holds night markets across California, teamed up with pizzeria What's Up Dough in Burbank and also with SoCal Filipinos to help families affected by the wildfires. "What's Up Dough will serve as a donation hub for anyone who wants to donate supplies," the Mexipino Foodfest wrote on Instagram. Another drive called Project Pasalubong also called for volunteers. Those interested can send an email to projectpasalubonglc@gmail.com, call or text them at +1-818-813-3151 or send them a message on Instagram @lchsfilipinoclub. The Coalitions of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce also appealed for help for Filipinos in Southern California. "Our kababayan in Southern California need us now more than ever. The raging wildfires in the Greater Los Angeles area have left countless families displaced, their homes and dreams reduced to ashes. As they continue to battle these devastating fires, let us show them that they are not alone," the group said. "This is the time for bayanihan — the heart of who we are as Filipinos. Let us unite, no matter where we are in the United States, to extend a helping hand to those who have lost so much. Together, we can bring hope, strength, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow to those who are suffering," the group added. Those who wish to donate can click on the link https://bit.ly/LAWildfireDonation. Staff from the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Los Angeles visited members of the Filipino community who were affected by the fire in evacuation centers, the consulate said Saturday (Philippine time). The consulate urged Filipinos to call the following numbers for assistance: +1-323-528-1528 and +1-213-887-8573 for overseas Filipino workers. In addition, the PCG in Los Angeles also posts regular advisories on the situation. According to the Pew Research Center, there are over 506,000 Filipinos living in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the most among any city in the US. As of this writing, 10 people were killed in the wildfires across Southern California, which started on Jan. 7, destroying 148 square kilometers. The fires were caused by very low humidity, dry conditions in the area and very strong Santa Ana winds.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
A FILIPINO-RUN supermarket that is an hour from Los Angeles, California, is mobilizing relief efforts for affected Filipino Americans hit by the wildfires in the area.
Island Pacific Supermarket, which runs across 20 locations in California and in Las Vegas, Nevada, announced on Friday (Saturday in Manila) that they are donating essential items.
"Island Pacific Supermarket is mobilizing to support our community during this difficult time by donating thousands of food items, water, and other essentials this weekend," the store announced on its Facebook page.
Their relief efforts start on Saturday (California time), where they will contribute to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
Then, the next day, the supermarket will donate to four different evacuation sites: the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills, Ritchie Valens Recreation Center in Pacoima, and Sepulveda Recreation Center in Panorama.
Island Pacific is also asking for volunteers to pack and distribute materials to the evacuation sites.
"Although we are contributing thousands of essentials, we need your help to pack and distribute materials for evacuation centers," the store said.
Those interested in helping can log in through a Google Document volunteer form posted on the store's Facebook page.
Island Pacific was founded in 2000 by Niño Jefferson Lim, married to former actress Krista Ranillo. They have five children.
The drive is in partnership with the nonprofit organization SoCal Filipinos, which is dedicated to the Filipino community in Southern California.
"We know a lot of our kababayan and their families have been affected by the current windstorm and wildfires that erupted yesterday. Please keep safe and stay vigilant. If you are asked to evacuate, please do so," SoCal Filipinos board president Edmund Flores said in a statement.
"Please pray for the safety of not only the people of our SoCal Filipinos community but for all those affected. And please pray for the safety and strength of our first responders who are risking their lives to keep us all safe," he added.
Other Fil-Am drives in LA
The Mexipino Foodfest, which celebrates Mexican and Filipino cuisine and holds night markets across California, teamed up with pizzeria What's Up Dough in Burbank and also with SoCal Filipinos to help families affected by the wildfires.
"What's Up Dough will serve as a donation hub for anyone who wants to donate supplies," the Mexipino Foodfest wrote on Instagram.
Another drive called Project Pasalubong also called for volunteers.
Those interested can send an email to projectpasalubonglc@gmail.com, call or text them at +1-818-813-3151 or send them a message on Instagram @lchsfilipinoclub.
The Coalitions of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce also appealed for help for Filipinos in Southern California.
"Our kababayan in Southern California need us now more than ever. The raging wildfires in the Greater Los Angeles area have left countless families displaced, their homes and dreams reduced to ashes. As they continue to battle these devastating fires, let us show them that they are not alone," the group said.
"This is the time for bayanihan — the heart of who we are as Filipinos. Let us unite, no matter where we are in the United States, to extend a helping hand to those who have lost so much. Together, we can bring hope, strength, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow to those who are suffering," the group added.
Those who wish to donate can click on the link https://bit.ly/LAWildfireDonation.
Staff from the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Los Angeles visited members of the Filipino community who were affected by the fire in evacuation centers, the consulate said Saturday (Philippine time).
The consulate urged Filipinos to call the following numbers for assistance: +1-323-528-1528 and +1-213-887-8573 for overseas Filipino workers.
In addition, the PCG in Los Angeles also posts regular advisories on the situation.
According to the Pew Research Center, there are over 506,000 Filipinos living in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the most among any city in the US.
As of this writing, 10 people were killed in the wildfires across Southern California, which started on Jan. 7, destroying 148 square kilometers. The fires were caused by very low humidity, dry conditions in the area and very strong Santa Ana winds.
