Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
PhiLAnthropist: Give Back to LA with Food & Paddleboats
Submitted & Authored by Emily Lerman
()
Photo by stu_spivack via Flickr
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING MORE DIY? START A BURRITO PROJECT: Yes, an LA Burrito Project may already exist, and many people may already be familiar with this low-profile group that seeks to remain a "no fame, no faces organization with no leader or head quarters", but that is not to stop one from starting another one; LA is a big city.
Support for LAist comes from
In January 2006 two friends rode their bikes around Skid Row, delivering 90 homemade-burritos to the homeless, and thus forming LA Burrito Project. Since then, the original crew has grown and they feed 300-400 homeless people weekly. However, they are not "accepting" new members; the Burrito Project seeks to maintain anonymity, and as such continue to serve as a motivational "tool for groups of friends to become active participants in their communities".
Today, Burrito Projects span from the Inland Empire and Hollywood to Detroit, Denver and even Damascus, Syria for the Falafel Project. For tips on starting your own, check out the various myspace pages or this KCRW interview. "Because mom said share..."
ATTEND A VOLUNTEER OPEN HOUSE AT THE SABAN FREE CLINIC (formerly known as the LA Free Clinic): The Saban Free Clinic seeks to provide "dependable and affordable quality health care and social services in a caring environment for the underserved and those who are most vulnerable". They began in 1967 to give care to young people who had nowhere else to turn and now run four clinics throughout the city, offering medical, dental and mental health services. Volunteer opportunities exist for people of varying ages and skills. Volunteer Open Houses are held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of June, August, October and December, the next one is this Wednesday, August 13th.
COMPETE IN THE ECHO PARK LAKE PADDLE BOAT REGATTA AND RAISE MONEY FOR 826LA: The well-known 826LA, founded by critically-acclaimed author Dave Eggers, seeks to inspire and "support students ages 6 to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills" by offering one-on-one drop-in tutoring sessions and workshops. 826LA always hosts creative and unique fundraising events and the Echo Lake Paddle Boat Regatta is no different. On Sunday August 17th at 4pm, teams of two will compete for the title of "World's Best Paddle Boater" and a post-race concert at The Echo will follow. However, space is limited (15 boats per heat and 3 heats), so early sign up is recommended. And if raising money for the kids is not enough of a reason to hit up friends and family for donations, teams are ranked by total funds raised so they can "buy" a better a starting position. 826LA is looking for tutors as well, volunteer orientation sessions occur frequently and are listed on their calendar.
And just as a reminder (from last week's column), the Skid Row Neighborhood Watch Walk takes place tonight at 6, and Reading to Kids happens this Saturday and volunteers must sign-up ahead of time.
Submitted & Authored by Emily Lerman
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
Best of LAist