The Chicano Federation works to help create safe, stable lives for San Diego Families. They have reached out to support those impacted by COVID-19 in several ways.

Food & Small Business Support

On April 20, the Chicano Federation, with generous support from Bank of America, purchased and delivered 50 boxes of fresh food for residents at one of their affordable housing properties, located in the Rolando neighborhood of San Diego. The food was purchased from a local San Diego small business – El Pollo Grill – and delivered to each family by Chicano Federation board members. The Federation was concerned that their residents, who are mostly refugee and immigrant families, may not feel comfortable participating in large food drives. The tenants were surprised and very grateful.

Farmworker Support

On April 25, about 300 cars joined a caravan of appreciation to honor San Diego County farmworkers who are maintaining the region’s food supply during COVID-19. Participants met at the Carlsbad Strawberry Company where three separate caravans dispersed to farms in Vista, Carlsbad, and Oceanside to show their appreciation by waving brightly colored signs with messages of love and respect for the farm workers.

Thanks to help from dozens of volunteers, the event also included donations of essential items, such as face masks, tarps, laundry detergent and personal hygiene products and over $3,500 in gift cards. In addition, an online fundraiser raised over $14,000 with proceeds going to the FarmWorker CARE Coalition.

The event organizers hope that this event will be the first of many to help bring awareness to the challenges of farmworkers and their families.