Feeding the Needs of Katrina Survivors New to L.A.
Monday, September 5, 2005 18:44
As you may have read in the LA Times on Monday, the Los Angeles Dream Center in Echo Park is currently feeding, housing and clothing dozens of Katrina survivors and expects the arrival of 300 250 people by Thursday. Some of the new residents ate their first Los Angeles meal at the Spaghetti Factory in Hollywood, according to the LA Times.
I found the L.A. Dream Center overflowing with volunteers, concerned Angelenos and local news crews both times I stopped on Monday. There is a list of items the facility most needs if you are interested in donating supplies:
1. Compact refrigerator (size: 2.7 cu ft) 2. Cribs (portable) 3. Curtains and curtain rods 4. Trash cans 5. Fans 6. Water jugs 7. Cleaning Caddies (a. Swifter Mop (disposable pads) b. Toilet/bathroom cleaning supplies c. Air fresheners) 8. Hygiene Caddy (a. Deodorant - Men and Women b. Body Wash c. Tooth brush d. Toothpaste) 9. Small Laundry baskets/hampers 10. Floor fans Hair products for African Americans 11. Formula 12. Baby & children’s clothing 13. Shoes 14. Underwear NEW ONLY for men, women and kids 15. Socks NEW ONLY for men, women and kids 16. Laundry detergent 17. Dryer sheets 18. Phone cards 19. Stamps 20. Stationary/envelopes for letters 21. Coloring books 22. Board games for common areas 23. Movies for common areas 24. Computers
***UPDATE: Dream Center has been overwhelmed with donations from Angelenos. The center needs only the following now because they do not have the storage or capacity to accept anything else:
1. Gift cards to major retailers
2. Dressers for every room (30-40)
3. 40 2.7 cu fridges
4. 30 floor fans
5. 40 large suitcases
6. 40 large plastic storage bins
7. Televisions with built-in DVD/VCR
8. 50 computers and flat screen monitors
Check the list of needs before you go, as it is regularly updated. Eric Garcetti posted a must-read account early Tuesday morning about the time he spent at Dream Center on Memorial Day. It would be great if a volunteer were writing a daily blog from inside the center.
The Dream Center
2301 Bellevue Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
213-273-7000
info@dreamcenter.org
Wednesday seems to be a big day for conscientious dining with restaurants, such as Silver Lake’s Comfort Cafe, and merchants like Eagle Rock’s CoWineCo, donating half of their sales to relief efforts. More information about Dine for America, a benefit for the American Red Cross, is expected on Thursday.
Blogging.LA says:
September 5th, 2005 at 10:40 pm
Donations for Katrina Survivors in L.A.
la.foodblogging just posted the current list of needs over at the Dream Center in Echo Park where plenty of Katrina survivors are now camped out. As you may have heard the Red Cross is not accepting material donations so if…
L.A. Observed says:
September 6th, 2005 at 3:26 am
First thing Tuesday, 9/6
Summer isn’t really over, it just feels that way. • Some Katrina links: Los Angeles blacks feel New Orleans’ pain…LAist found a server at Swingers who did her part… la.foodblogging on what’s need to feed the survivors…
Kristy says:
September 6th, 2005 at 1:19 pm
Thank you to SoCalorie for posting this on here. Will do my best to head out to the Dream Center this week with donations in hand, along with not eating out as much and donating that money instead.
hexod.us says:
September 6th, 2005 at 3:16 pm
Dreamcenter Housing Katrina Survivors
LA Foodblogging reports that the Dream Center in Echo Park is housing and assisting Katrina survivors:As you may have read today in the LA Times, the Los Angeles Dream Center in Echo Park is currently feeding, housing and clothing dozens…
Javagurl says:
September 6th, 2005 at 6:13 pm
thanks so much for this post!! it’s good to see/read some positive news in the midst of such a sad and tragic situation.
susan angelini says:
September 15th, 2005 at 3:32 pm
I just want to say God Bless you all. My thoughts and prayers have been and will be with you …
We do care.