Peter Lynn, the executive director of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authorities, shared that the number of homeless persons in the San Gabriel Valley has risen from 4,094 in the year 2017 to 4,292 in the year 2018. He went on to report that Los Angeles County homelessness also increased from 8,044 persons in 2017 to 9,322 persons in 2018. Contributing factors included the county’s affordable housing crisis as well as economic reasons like loss of employment and other financial reasons. He said, “We have one of the least affordable housing markets in America, and that’s something we have to address.”
Into the heart of that need, the Lord raised up two persons in the city of Azusa to share the grace, mercy, and extravagant love of Christ – Mayor Joe Rocha and Pastor Maria Aramburo.
Inspired by Matthew 25:34 -40, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even to the least of them, you did it to Me,” Mayor Joe Rocha of the City of Azusa set out to address the needs of the hungry and homeless. Beginning over ten years ago, Mayor Joe began to collaborate with other brothers and sisters in the body of Christ to collect cans of food for the homeless during the winter season. Since that noble beginning, Christbridge Academy has joined in this valiant effort of collecting cans of food every week during the months of November and December. Students are asked to bring five cans of food per week which are then donated to Mayor Joe’s food collection for the hungry and homeless. Click here to read more about the canned food drive and how to participate.
Around the same time, Maria Aramburo, a co-pastor from Canyon Christian Fellowship in the city of Azusa, was deeply moved by the compassion of Christ for the plight of the homeless. She began organizing an event called “Hearts for the Hungry” and coordinating with local individuals, businesses, organizations, city agencies, and the county health services. This year they will be holding an event for the hungry and the homeless on Saturday, November 17, 2018 from 12 noon to 3pm. Churches, city agencies, and the county health services will be there to assist the homeless. We will be donating turkeys and serving food, and our Heritage Singers will be singing throughout the event. Come by and join us – click here for details and to read more!
