As the number of COVID-19 cases in the City and County of Los Angeles continues to rise, healthcare workers remain crucial warriors on the front lines of this pandemic. In recognition of their strength and dedication, BAPS Charities, in partnership with area elected officials and the Los Angeles County+University of Southern California Medical Center, hosted the “Healthcare Heroes Luncheon”. A total of 7,500 hot vegetarian meals, prepared by BAPS Charities, were distributed to the entire LAC+USC staff on May 8, 2020. Accessibility to fresh meals during these unprecedented times has become a concern to many, especially the frontline workers. In addition to the meals, BAPS Charities also donated critical personal protective equipment. 1,000 KN95 masks and 300 face shields were donated for the frontline workers.
Along with BAPS Charities volunteers, State Senator Maria Elena Durazo, Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo, administration and staff personnel from LAC+USC Medical Center, and representatives from LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis’ office were on hand to distribute the meals.
Mr. Jorge Orozco, Chief Executive Officer for LAC+USC Medical Center, joined BAPS Charities in distributing meals and said, “I want to thank BAPS Charities for their generous donation of meals for our employees. Our employees are so dedicated to the health of our community and this kind of gesture really means a lot. LAC+USC Medical Center is committed to providing world-class care to all of our patients here, regardless of their ability to pay, and we are very proud of that.”
Senator Durazo stated, “Thank you to BAPS Charities. You are an extraordinary organization, so committed to every community. You fed the entire staff of one of the country’s largest hospitals! I am so excited to see BAPS Charities volunteers, so many young volunteers that are here, who had so much to do with putting this event together.”
One such young BAPS Charities volunteer that was on hand was high school senior Jay Patel. Jay helped with the preparation of the meals and was on hand to help distribute them. When asked why he was so involved with this undertaking, he remarked, “Even though I won’t be attending a physical graduation ceremony or walking across a graduation stage, volunteering and serving my community is the perfect way to commemorate this stage in my life. This truly is an honor.”
Just as BAPS Charities is honored to serve the heroes of Los Angeles, volunteers in the United States and throughout the world are assessing situations and providing support to help their local communities. For more details, visit http://www.bapscharities.org/covid19.
