The City of Inglewood is home to the brand new state-of-the-art SoFi Stadium; the most expensive stadium construction cost in world history, with a budget of $5.5 billion. This facility will host two NFL franchises, the 2028 Summer Olympics and NCAA collegiate championships. The Los Angeles Clippers also proposed to build a brand-new arena in the city, which has the momentum of becoming a reality. Although Inglewood’s municipal is excited to boost the city’s economy by hosting the world’s most luxurious sporting facilities, many Inglewood residents struggle to make ends meet.
Inglewood’s poverty rate is approximately 20%, roughly 10% higher than the nation’s average. With 41% of residents being African-Americans, the City of Champions also has the highest percentage of Black residents in the state of California. Therefore, Alpha West believed it was vital to provide relief for families in the community who were struggling during the COVID-19 global health crisis.
The Southern California District of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. partnered with Center of Hope, an Inglewood church, for monthly food drives. Participants simply needed to pre-register online and drive their vehicles through Center of Hope’s parking lot to receive their free USDA produce.
During the August food drive approximately 100 volunteers showed up, about half of them were Alphamen. Participating chapters included Beta Psi Lambda, Mu Sigma Lambda, Xi Iota Lambda, Mu Chi, Pi Kappa and Upsilon Chi. Countless cars lined up in two lanes and slowly drove by as volunteers loaded each vehicle with a box of produce and a bag of frozen beef.
Brother Atoy Wilson (Mu Sigma Lambda) explained, “It’s important to give back to the community. It’s a sad situation for families in 2020 to be fighting for food, because that’s the most basic necessity there is.” According to L.A. Food Bank, two million Los Angeles County residents do not know where their next meal will come from, that is a whopping 1 out of 5 residents. “This is a community issue, not just one where only black people need this support. Alpha is addressing a problem that affects everyone. When these families come out, they tell us how extremely grateful they are.” Brother Wilson added.
Due to this crisis being further aggrandized by the Coronavirus virus pandemic, it is naturally a hurdle for many community service organizations to orchestrate efforts. But the drive-thru system made it safe to physically give back. “Because of social distancing, there’s not much community service you can do. Everything is restricted and virtual, but this is great because it’s one of the few physically tangible community service efforts.” Brother Wilson says.
“Every human being has basic needs that have to be met. And the first needs are physiological; you must have food, clothing, shelter and air” Brother Tony “Khalfani” Magee, President of Mu Sigma Lambda says. “In order for an individual to love others, they must feel safe, but how can someone feel safe if they are hungry?”
Hundreds of boxes were given to over 100 vehicles in August alone. This food drive has been held in the North Long Beach community earlier in the year as well, which served over 1200 families. Brothers in Southern California will continue this monthly drive, indefinitely-especially during this global pandemic. A voter registration booth was also available on-site.
“I’m a servant, I’m an Alphaman and my time belongs to the community. The community is in need and we want Alpha to always be present” Brother Magee proudly stated.
Brother James Leassear – Mu Sigma Lambda, Associate Editor of The Sphinx
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