On Friday the Los Angeles Dodgers, L.A. Dodgers Foundation (LADF) and iHeartMedia L.A. continued their coronavirus (COVID-19) relief efforts by joining team partners Farmer John, Frito-Lay and Levy to serve 4,000 Dodger Dogs for lunch at The Dream Center.
Along with providing Dodger Dogs and Frito-Lay snacks, youth and families received a tote bag stocked with a kids’ jersey and t-shirt. Caps and gift cards were also presented to Dream Center staff by Southern California McDonald’s and Jack in the Box.
“Feeding our community is everybody’s passion at Dodger Stadium. We feed the community six months out of the year, and during this time of crisis we felt we should do our part,” Dodger Stadium executive chef Ryan Evans told DodgerBlue.com.
“Dodgers are a world-class organization. Any little thing we can do on a day-to-day basis is so meaningful to us and the community. Just to continue to give back to the people that need and the people that wish they could be at Dodger Stadium.
“And nothing is more iconic than a Dodger dog. It brings back that hometown feel and taste. It kind of gives people a little bit of hope.”
Day 26 of the @LADreamCenter feeding LA included Dodger dogs, plus the distribution of #Dodgers tote bags. pic.twitter.com/Ibq8v8U5gY
— Matthew Moreno (@MMoreno1015) April 10, 2020
While the Dodgers and LADF became involved with The Dream Center over the weekend, Justin and Kourtney Turner have long partnered with the local nonprofit organization. They, along with Clayton and Ellen Kershaw, Chris Taylor and Corey Seager have been instrumental to The Dream Center providing daily meals once the pandemic shut down the LAUSD.
“We thought we would only last three days, but because of the generosity of people, we’re 26 days in and we feel like we’re just kind of walking on water as far as the miracles that are happening to keep this thing going,” Dream Center founder Matthew Barnett said.
“Justin Turner, Clayton Kershaw and all the Dodgers really, from Day 1 they stepped in and said, ‘We’ve got to make something happen. We know the kids are going to be in need. This is one of the only food banks within three miles of this area. We have got to step up and help them meet their needs during this time with the meals they are missing with school.’
“So Justin, Clayton and the whole team started employing companies, keeping jobs and at the same time feeding thousands of people. It’s like a double victory. My heart is so overwhelmed with so much disbelief that all this is happening.
“This is day 26 of consecutive feeding; 11 hours, seven days a week. The reason we do it 11 hours (per day) is to give people a safe place to come in, not feel rushed or like they have to wait in lines. This has been an unbelievable experience.”
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