VENTURA COUNTY — Latino community leaders and critical donors are taking action to support farm working families in Ventura County. These essential workers have not stopped working to feed Californians and the nation before, during, and after COVID 19 pandemic hit the US. The campaign, known as “Feeding the Frontline: Feeding our Farmworkers,” will be hosting a food distribution event to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month with a “Day of Service” on September 26, 2020. There would have been additional sites but for surges that have occurred in many of these communities.
The all-volunteer group, Feeding the Frontline: Feeding Our Farmworkers, has hosted 33 events in Ventura County, California, since beginning in April. The group has provided over 22,000 farmworkers and their families with 300 tons of warm meals, groceries, and personal protective equipment.
“This pandemic underscores the invaluable contributions farmworkers provide our communities, state, and nation,” shared Roberto S. Juarez, CEO of Clinicas Del Camino Real (CDCR). CDCR is a primary organizer of this event. “Despite well-known health care disparities, 2.) poor living conditions and 3.) wages that do not offer a livable wage in their local communities, they did not stop working,” added Juarez. They were not treated as “soldiers” in a silent war declared by the President of the United States.
“Feeding the Frontline is committed to expressing our profound appreciation for the hard work and unrecognized contributions made by farmworkers. They have earned support on these issues, and we must work to have an effective response to the problems caused by this historical indifference”, Juarez added.
- What: Food Distribution Event Planned in Ventura County to Support Essential Frontline Farmworkers. For more info visit: https://www.feedingourfarmworkers.org/
- Gofundme page: https://gf.me/u/x3r7i8
- Why: Farmworkers put their lives and health at risk by continuing to work in the fields during the COVID-19 pandemic and need support.
- When: September 26, 2020
- Where: Guadalupe Church, 500 North Juanita Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93030
- Who: Clinicas del Camino Real, Port of Hueneme, The VC Local Love Project, and Ruby’s Fresh Mexican Food & Tequila Bar