February 11, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Feeding Our Homeless:

By Sam Skopp

In response to Los Angeles’s escalating homelessness crisis, the Salvation Army organized a team of more than 50 volunteers to hand out prepared meals to Santa Monica’s homeless population this past Saturday.

According to the 2016 Point in Time (PIT) count, Los Angeles District 11, which includes Venice Beach, has a homeless count of 2,529. Santa Monica City recorded 728 homeless individuals in its PIT count earlier this year.

In an attempt to ease the situation for those on the streets, volunteers gathered at the Salvation Army’s Santa Monica Corps Center to prepare bagged lunches to be handed out. Those present were organized into one of three groups: the CLARE foundation alumni association, Morgan Stanley employees, and regular Salvation Army volunteers.

Once lunches were prepared and gathered into large wagons or bags, an organizer quickly briefed some volunteers on what they should expect moving forward. Some of the people they would offer food to might find it demeaning, and in that case, they should just move along and respect that person’s point of view.

Volunteers then set out on foot in different directions, to cover different areas in which Santa Monica’s homeless population often gathers. Individuals would sometimes branch off from their group to offer a lunch to someone they noticed might need it. In almost all cases, recipients were happy to accept.

Noah Weiner, who is a Corps Assistant at the Santa Monica Salvation Army center, organized the event to provide an opportunity for locals to volunteer and give back to their community. Weiner went through the Salvation Army’s drug and alcohol program, and has since volunteered for them for eight years.

“Along with God, the Salvation Army was the vessel used to save me,” Weiner said.

Providing lunches to the homeless is his way of both engaging his community to give back to those in need, as well as engage in the Salvation Army’s philanthropic mission.

“If we help even just a little bit, that’s what we do on a daily basis,” Weiner said.

For more information about the Santa Monica branch of the Salvation Army, visit salvationarmy-socal.org 

in News
<>Related Posts

 (Video) Beaten Dead Body Found on Santa Monica Shore

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

The Victim Was Pronounced Dead at the Scene The Victim Was Pronounced Dead at the Scene. pic.twitter.com/88huU3goOO — Santa Monica...

Worker Relief Fund Launched for Those Impacted by Palisades Fire

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

In addition to direct relief, the county is seeking donations for the fund Los Angeles County has launched the LA...

How Much Have Palisades Property Values Slipped After the Fire?

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

Property prices drop as sellers and buyers remain at odds in post-fire market Property values in Pacific Palisades have taken...

Retailers Impose Purchase Restrictions as Supply Chain Disruptions Cause Concern

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Egg Limits Are Back – What’s Causing the Shortage? Retailers across the United States, including Costco and Trader Joe’s, have...

Community Protest and Petition Against Controversial EPA Plan For Hazardous Waste Site

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

CD 11 City Councilmember Park to Hold Community Town Hall on Will Rogers Site Protesters marched against the Environmental Protection...

New Bill Targets Crime in Disaster Zones – Here’s What You Need to Know

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Lawmakers Push for Tougher Penalties To Protect Vulnerable Communities California lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at cracking down...

Mysterious Death Near Santa Monica Shoreline, Police Investigating

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

SMPD Seeks Information About Victim With Facial Trauma  The Santa Monica Police Department is investigating the death of a woman...

Burned Palisades Lot Sells for Nearly $1M: REPORT

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Aerial images show the property was among several homes in the neighborhood destroyed by the fire A vacant lot in...

Palisades Symphony to Host Benefit Concert to Support Displaced Musicians

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Several members of the Palisades Symphony lost their homes in the fires, making this concert a deeply personal effort The...

What about are you protected from future wildfires?

February 9, 2025

February 9, 2025

Our hearts go out to all those impacted by the recent wildfires and Santa Ana windstorms in Southern California. We...

Shore Hotel Remains Sustainability Leader

February 9, 2025

February 9, 2025

By Susan Payne On track to open its new coastal-inspired restaurant, Shore Hotel has excited new offerings and initiatives this...

Rescheduled 2024 Homeless Count Needs More Volunteers on the Westside

February 9, 2025

February 9, 2025

Not Enough Volunteers to Successfully Count Unhoused Angelenos This Year With the rescheduled dates for the 2025 Greater Los Angeles...

Student Protest Over Immigration Policies Leads to Walkouts Across the Westside

February 7, 2025

February 7, 2025

Walkout Turns Tense as Counter-Protester Confronts Teen in Video From Venice Students from Santa Monica High School (SAMOHI), Culver City...

10-Year-Old Palisades Girl Wins Martial Arts Medals Weeks After Losing Home to Fire

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

Savoian, a green belt in Yoshukai karate, trained at Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center in Pacific Palisades Just weeks after...

Open Arms Art Show Runs Through Mar. 22 in Burbank

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

Opening Exhibition Saturday Feb. 8 from 12 to 8p.m. More than an art show, the Open Arms Exhibition is an...