The American Federation of Teachers will distribute 15,000 new, free books and groceries to Los Angeles children and families in need today from 4-6 p.m. at the All Peoples Community Center, 822 E. 20th St., L.A.
The “AFT Gives Back” community event will focus on literacy, anti-hunger and health. In partnership with First Book, 10,000 books for all ages will be distributed to children; families can pick up free groceries, courtesy of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor; and there will be lots of activities related to health and exercise. Also, another 5,000 books will be delivered to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and several other sites around East Los Angeles.
AFT President Randi Weingarten and Maria Elena Durazo, executive secretary-treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, will arrive at the event at about 5 p.m.
The AFT, along with the Food Research and Action Council, or FRAC, is also using the event to promote bipartisan legislation that would expand the reach of the U.S. Agriculture Department’s Summer Food Service Program for low-income children and significantly simplify the administration of the program for sponsors.
In addition to book distributions at the All Peoples Community Center and the L.A. Regional Food Bank, hundreds of books will be delivered to:
• East Los Angeles College Child Development Center;
• Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center—for the reading program for pediatric patients and for the child care center;
• Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center—for the center housing children transitioning to adoption/foster care;
• WIC Center in East Los Angeles;
• Youth Promise Program
For more informaion on the event contact the All Peoples Community Center at (213) 747-6359 or the American Federation of Teachers at (323) 851-1521.
