March 25, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Senator Ben Allen Honors Westside Food Bank as Nonprofit of the Year

On Wednesday, Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) recognized Westside Food Bank as Senate District 26’s Nonprofit of the Year.  Outstanding nonprofit honorees from legislative districts across the state attended a luncheon in Sacramento.  Executive Director, Bruce Rankin, was unable to attend the ceremony, but was represented by his wife, Catherine Wagar, who accepted the award from Senator Allen.

For over thirty years, Westside Food Bank has distributed nutritious food to vulnerable people and reduced food waste in District 26. Currently, Westside Food Bank provides essential food assistance to 70 Westside social services agencies, reaching over 105,000 people per year, half of whom are children. Westside Food Bank maintains high impact partnerships in the local community, including running a vegetable garden and weekly produce distribution for veterans at the West Los Angeles VA Campus and food pantries at UCLA, West Los Angeles College and Santa Monica College.   WSFB Executive Director, Bruce Rankin has also led efforts to address poverty through his leadership in the Westside Coalition and as a founding board member of the California Association of Food Banks.

“Food insecurity and hunger are issues that are sometimes hidden but nevertheless devastating for families and individuals in our community. For decades, Westside Food Bank has effectively combatted hunger in our community, helping the most vulnerable amongst us get the nutrition they need to lead more fulfilling lives. I am grateful to Bruce Rankin for his leadership of this important organization and I am proud to honor Westside Food Bank as Nonprofit of the Year.”

“Westside Food Bank is proud and honored to be named nonprofit of the year by Senator Ben Allen. For more than 30 years the nutritious foods we’ve provided to local agencies meant that families could stay housed, children received the nutrients necessary for proper growth and development, and vulnerable people did not experience an interruption in their access to food. Senator Allen and his staff are fantastic partners and committed advocates of our hunger relief work. This honor gives us a chance to showcase our work to a wider audience and is helping us to better connect with other potential supporters. We look forward to continuing to serve the community as efficiently as possible and to working with Senator Allen to alleviate hunger and food insecurity in our community,” said Bruce Rankin.

in News
Related Posts

Santa Monica Pet Hotel Hosts Puppy-Friendly St. Patty’s Day Party

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

A new pet hotel in Santa Monica recently hosted a St. Patrick’s Day party for local dogs. Check out all...

Santa Monica Mountains Largest Ever Restoration Project Nears Completion After 7,000 Hours of Volunteer Work

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

Final planting event will be held Saturday, March 25 at 9 a.m. for the park’s largest ever restoration project After...

California Appeals Court Rules Uber and Lyft Can Classify Drivers as Independent Contractors

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

Proposition 22 exempted ride-share companies from certain labor laws, court rules in favor of the companies By Sam Catanzaro ​​A...

Film Review – Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

FILM REVIEWOPERATION FORTUNE: Ruse de GuerreRated R114 MinutesReleased March 3rd Now that the season of weighty Oscar contender films is...

Santa Monica Uses Innovative Water Recycling Facility to Capture and Store Rainwater

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

City’s Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project reducing reliance on imported water and sets a model for future projects Santa Monica has...

Shuttered Santa Monica Loews Hotel to Rebrand and Reopen as a Regent Hotel

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

Hotel’s new operator announces plans for $4 million renovation, including rebranding and upgrading accessibility for guests with disabilities By Dolores...

Three Arrested for Identity Theft, Possession of Stolen Property, and Grand Theft in Santa Monica

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

Suspects found with over 20 stolen cellphones, credit cards, and identification Three individuals were arrested in Santa Monica for identity...

Proposal for Improved Communication With Street Vendors Sparks Contentious Debate in City Council Meeting

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

Councilmembers divided over proposal calling for City Manager to engage in meaningful consultation with authorized vendors regarding sidewalk vending policies...

Former Bank Building in Santa Monica Becomes a Food Destination with Addition of Katsu Bar

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

Katsu Bar joins Paderia and Oakberry in the transformation of the 3032 Wilshire building By Dolores Quintana Katsu Bar has...

Survey: Should Officials Remove Barriers to Outdoor Dining?

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed the way we live our lives, and one of the most significant impacts has been...

Gasolina Cafe Owner, Sandra Cordero, to Open New Tapas Bar in Santa Monica

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

Tapas bar expected to open late spring in former Heroic Italian space at 516 Santa Monica Boulevard  Sandra Cordero, the...

California’s AB 1217 Could Supersede Costly Outdoor Dining Permits Proposed by Municipalities

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

Legislation would preempt local ordinances and preserve regulatory flexibility for struggling neighborhood restaurants By Sam Catanzaro A new bill proposed...

Emerging Artist Jesse Liu Opens First-Ever Exhibition in Venice Gallery

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

“Spring Fever” currently on display at Yiwei Gallery By Keemia Zhang Local artist Jesse Liu has opened her first solo...

Santa Monica Place Invites LGBTQIA+ Artisans to Apply for Made With PRIDE Marketplace

March 21, 2023

March 21, 2023

Partnering with Streetlet, the marketplace will take place each weekend in June and showcase local goods made in Southern California....

Santa Monica Councilmember Phil Brock Appointed to National League of Cities Council on Youth, Education, and Families

March 21, 2023

March 21, 2023

Brock to collaborate with group of local leaders to develop and guide programs for communities across the country Santa Monica...