Meals on Wheels West (MOW West) serves Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Venice, Del Rey/Mar Vista, Marina Del Rey, and Malibu. The Palisades Fire massively impacted people living in MOW West’s entire service area.
Eighteen volunteers lost their homes. Twelve of our Palisades clients were forced to flee from their burnt-out residences. Seven Santa Monica clients lived in the mandatory evacuation area and were forced to abandon their homes with many other clients evacuating. Most of our clients throughout the Westside were affected by the smoke and stress created by the fire. Several relocated to protect their health.
In response to the Palisades Fire, MOW West has undertaken multiple initiatives to ensure the health and wellness of our more than 500 current clients and 200 active volunteers. During the fire, we distributed KN95 masks to all our clients and volunteers. In the north of Wilshire areas of Santa Monica most impacted by the fires, MOW West staff delivered food to clients on Wednesday, January 8 and Thursday January 9, checking on their health, providing KN95 masks, offering additional food and water, and urging them to follow instructions by the City of Santa Monica. Staff and volunteers asked clients if they had evacuation plans, including a place to go. We urged clients to develop an evacuation plan.
In January, MOW West accepted 35 new clients to our core home-delivered meals program, Delivering More Than a Meal, immediately delivering to them with food and resources.
As part of our Keeping People and Pets Together program, MOW West distributed additional free pet food to our clients who are pet owners.
MOW West staff called all Palisades volunteers and clients impacted by the fire multiple times, each time checking their safety and offering resources, including referrals to free transportation, mental health providers, and Red Cross resources.
Additionally, MOW West has created a support group for Pacific Palisades volunteers who lost their homes, facilitated by a licensed therapist.
MOW West staff also visited a Pacific Palisades client at the Red Cross shelter in WLA, where we assisted him in completing his FEMA applications.
MOW West is here to help the residents of the communities we serve.
By Chris Baca
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