Rams Team Up with L.A. Food Bank and Pechanga to Give Meals in Inglewood
December 23, 2021
By Amanda Scurlock
Sports Writer
The Los Angeles Rams hosted their fourth annual Community Blitz Day of Service by partnering with Pechanga and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank for a food distribution event. Over 3,600 Angelenos drove to Sofi Stadium to benefit from the event.
Among the volunteers were Rams safety Nick Scott and his wife Holly. For the newlywed couple, serving the community is one of their top priorities.
“My wife and I, we love giving back during the holidays,” Scott said. “We just want to spend a little time together as well as be with the people in the community.”
Each resident was given frozen goods, fruits, a shelf stable kit and potatoes. Employees of the Rams and Pechanga woke up early to pack meals in the cars of people in need.
The L.A. Food Bank has been partnering with the franchise since they returned to Los Angeles. They collaborate to host Taste of the Rams, a fundraising event that helps battle food insecurity.
In Los Angeles County, one in five people struggle with food insecurity. Since the pandemic started, The Food Bank has added 100 new agency partners. They recently partnered with the Rams for a food distribution at Compton College.
“We want to do more during the holiday season for Thanksgiving and to try to make December holidays brighter for people,” said L.A. Regional Food Bank CEO Michael Flood. “That partnership with the Rams is really very important to us.”
Pechanga has been a partner with the Rams for two years, they had 15 employees volunteer at the food distribution. Ken Perez, the first vice president of the Pechanga corporation, noted how they want to become part of and give back to the Inglewood community.
“This is really indicative of the spirit of our team members, they come out here voluntarily,” he said.
“Our team members come out and they give their time freely because it’s part of what we do at Pechanga.”
Pechanga corporation president Andrew Masiel knows the importance of helping those in need and is elated to be able to serve the Inglewood community.
“The spirit of giving is engraved with us because for many years, we’ve been on the other side of the table, where we’ve been given opportunities and food,” Masiel said.
“Being here today means a great deal for all of us, not only as individual board members, but for the entire tribe of Pechanga to be in the position to give back.”
Along with front office staff members, Rams mascot Rampage and cheerleaders were on toe engage with the residents and give them food. The franchise has hosted several food distributions in the parking lots at Sofi Stadium.
“I love how Sofi Stadium represents more than just a stadium,” said Rams community affairs and engagement manager Johnathan Franklin.
“To have this opportunity to come here and to be a part of an organization that really strives to be a resource 365 days a year, I’m happy that I get to serve the community.”