ÓRALE

Food access is a human right. Yet, for many immigrant families, accessing food and other basic resources can come with fear and uncertainty, especially as immigration enforcement continues to impact our communities. Since the pandemic, ÓRALE’s Mutual Aid program has provided an alternative, trusted way for families in Long Beach to access fresh food and essential resources, regardless of immigration status. By bringing distributions directly into neighborhoods, families can receive support within the communities they know and trust. That is why we moved our food distribution pickup to their neighborhoods. These are safe spaces where neighbors can connect, share resources, and build community with one another.

In 2025, the increased immigration enforcement forced us to make a critical shift in how we distribute food. We moved from primarily outdoor distributions to a bagging model that allowed our team and volunteers to prepare food and produce bags in advance. Families can pick these bags in person, and when someone does not feel safe leaving their home, we bring food directly to their doorstep. Because the fear of ICE is real, but so is the need to make sure families have food on their tables. 

Our Mutual Aid program relies heavily on volunteers, community partnerships, and donations to continue. Last year, we reached 3,513 community members, and we want to continue being there for families who rely on this program.

This Long Beach Gives, we are raising funds to make another year of Mutual Aid possible.

Your donation will help provide the essential materials needed to safely prepare, distribute, and deliver food throughout the year, including produce bags, wagons, food distribution supplies, printed food and resource guides, wellness materials, and other program needs.

Every gift brings us closer to our goal of $10,000 and to another year of ensuring our community can access food and resources without fear.