by Anne Donofrio-Holter
4-27-11
Over 4,300 people converged upon El Monte High School when the school donated its cafeteria to the Credit Union of Southern California for its 7th annual Southern California's Helping Hands food distribution day.
In partnership with the El Monte-South El Monte Rotary Club and Heart of Compassion, over 550 volunteers, including students and staff from the El Monte Union High School District, helped distribute more than 200,000 pounds of food.
"It was truly a remarkable day," said assistant superintendent and Rotarian Tony Ortega. "The El Monte Union High School District has much to be proud of. Students and staff volunteered in great numbers and El Monte High School was a wonderful host. I received many compliments about our campus and our students."
"This was a great event that helped many people in these difficult times. The credit union, Rotary club, Heart of Compassion and volunteers are to be commended for their efforts," said superintendent Nick Salerno. "We were extremely pleased to see all of the student volunteers giving time to help the community and their fellow human beings."
Even with the long lines, participants waited patiently to fill their carts with food, household items and clothing.
With audible "thank yous," a smile or a nod, volunteers who gave up their Saturday morning could not help but came away with a sense of how much this was appreciated by those who patiently weaved their way past each station.
"This is such a blessing," said one participant. "My husband recently lost his job."
"On behalf of the Credit Union of Southern California and Southern California’s Helping Hands, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to everyone who helped with the food distribution in El Monte," said Alissa Charlton of the Credit Union of Southern California. "We set a new food distribution record by serving over 4,300 people distributing over 200,000 pounds of food!! A day like this could not have been possible without your generosity and support."
"Before seeing the number of people in line today, I never realized the need was so great in our community," said one volunteer. "Some of us tend to forget how truly blessed we are."