Volunteers pack food, assemble care kits and make seed balls to aid Los Angeles wildfire recovery

Volunteers at multiple Los Angeles sites have been packaging food, assembling care packages and creating seed balls of California native wildflowers to support neighborhoods affected by recent wildfires, participants said.

The volunteer effort brought groups together at the LA Regional Food Bank and other distribution points to prepare donations for people displaced or otherwise harmed by the fires. Danny, a volunteer with CCAC, said, “We are at the LA Regional Food Bank, and we are packaging foods.”

The activity included assembling hygiene and clothing kits. Mike, with College Board, said volunteers were “organizing care packages that includes things like donated clothes, toiletry items, self care items.” Jasmine, with UCLA, described coordinating distribution: “We are organizing the distribution of food and clothing.” Sophia, whose host program is LA Works, also participated in distribution efforts.

Some volunteers focused on environmental recovery as well as immediate relief. One group made seed balls containing a mix of California native wildflowers intended “to go to areas that have been affected by the wildfires,” a volunteer said.

Julian, a member of the California Emergency Response Corps, praised the volunteers, saying, “To see these kids, that's inspiring. At New Mexico and Newsom and the entire team of California volunteers, I'm so incredibly proud of how you have stepped up.”

Organizers and volunteers described a mix of activities — food packaging, care-kit assembly, clothing distribution and seed-ball production — carried out by several nonprofit and volunteer organizations working at multiple locations across Los Angeles. The transcript did not specify the total number of volunteers, specific distribution schedules or funding sources for the activities.

Volunteers said the work is ongoing at regional distribution points as relief needs continue to be assessed.