Manhattan Beach: Real Estate Agents Hold Drive-Thru Food Drive

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Two South Bay real estate agents are holding a drive-thru food drive this Saturday, Feb. 13 from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. in the parking lot of Vista Sotheby's office at 2501 North Sepulveda Boulevard. People can contribute non-perishable grocery items. And the two agents will match all donations made on Saturday.

"Giving back to our community is of utmost importance to us," said Gerry Athas-Vazquez of RE/MAX Estate Properties, who has partnered with Amy Cimetta of Vista Sotheby’s International Realty for the Amy & Gerry's Food Drive. "With the pandemic this past year, there is an even more dire need. Those Angelenos that don’t know where their next meal is coming from has jumped from 20% to 25% since the pandemic. That’s 1 in every 4 people who don’t have enough food, according to the LA Food Bank."

Said Cimetta, "The LA Food Bank is an amazing organization that works tirelessly to bring food to those in need. Due to the pandemic, their resources are stretched thin. We want to do what we can to help our South Bay neighbors so they don’t go hungry."

LA Food Bank is asking for the following items:

• Water
• Canned pouched tuna/chicken
• Peanut butter
• Jelly
• Canned meals such as soup and stews and canned fruit (preferably in juice)
• Hand-held can openers
• Toilet tissue
• Facial tissue
• Paper towels
• Hand sanitizer and
• Grocery bags.

The donated items will be delivered within days to local Food Pantries associated with LA Food Bank. These are mostly run by local South Bay churches, including in Redondo Beach, Torrance and Hawthorne.

"When we heard about the alarming increase in need for food in the LA area, we felt like we had to do something to help. And, I thought, if everyone just grabbed a couple of extra items when they went to the market, it could add up to a lot," said Athas-Vazquez.

People driving through with donations are asked to enter the parking lot from Sepulveda Boulevard.