County Urges Residents to Volunteer During Cesar Chavez Week
Public libraries, food banks, and homeless shelters all welcome volunteers during the week
Supervisor Gloria Molina today urged residents to volunteer at public libraries, food banks and homeless shelters to celebrate a week of community service dedicated to the late labor leader and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez.
The county’s 11th annual Cesar E. Chavez Community Service Week will begin Monday and run through March 30.
"Cesar Chavez is an American hero not only for his accomplishments as a labor organizer but as a civil rights leaders and non-violent protestor," Molina said. "Cesar Chavez dedicated his life to improving the conditions of workers who harvest the food which feeds our nation. He co-founded the United Farm Workers, an organization which mobilized thousands of people into political action. He led a five-year non-violent grape boycott which captivated the nation and led to landmark worker protections."
Molina said she could think of "no more fitting way" to honor Chavez than by dedicating a week of service to the community in his name.
Volunteers at the Weingart Center, which serves homeless people on Skid Row, will be put to work painting a floor. The Los Angeles Regional Foodbank will hold food "sort-a-thons" and will be accepting donations at multiple community locations. Participating county libraries will have volunteers assist with homework, read during story time, prepare crafts for children and sort, clean and straighten books.