News: Church of Scientology Food Drive Makes Thanksgiving Special for 300 Local Families
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The bright yellow tents of the Volunteer Ministers of the Church of Scientology Los Angeles hosted a remarkable food drive on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, providing 300 turkeys to local families in need.
The economic downturn caused by the pandemic in 2020 led to widespread unemployment and financial difficulties. Although lockdowns have ended and many individuals have found new employment, the issue of food insecurity continues to escalate in the community.
A recent study by USC Dornsife Public Exchange uncovered that nearly one-third of residents in Los Angeles County face food insecurity. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank reported that more than half of the parents surveyed in May 2024 struggled to access food, especially as benefits instituted during the pandemic began to decline. Furthermore, L.A. County holds the unfortunate distinction of having the highest number of food-insecure children in the entire U.S.
To address this pressing need, the Church of Scientology Los Angeles initiated a weekly food drive in 2020, consistently providing support to hundreds of families each week.
The Church of Scientology Volunteer Ministers program, established in the mid-1970s by L. Ron Hubbard, serves as one of the largest independent relief forces in the world. A Volunteer Minister’s mission is to assist others on a volunteer basis by restoring purpose, truth, and spiritual values to their lives. Their guiding principle states, “A Volunteer Minister does not shut his eyes to the pain, evil, and injustice of existence. Rather, he is trained to handle these situations and help others gain relief and personal strength.”
Their motto, “Something can be done about it,” reflects their unwavering commitment to support those facing hardship.
Through the ongoing food drives, the Church of Scientology Volunteer Ministers continue to make a significant impact on the community, providing essential resources and hope to those in need.
