Matthew McConaughey, Creative Artists Agency and Ali Larter are among those who have stepped up to help the LAUSD keep kids fed and in touch with their teachers during the coronavirus shutdown.
Schools Superintendent Austin Beutner issued an update today on activities since the LA public school system closed on Monday. Beutner plans to give a further update of conditions on March 23.
Today, he reported, Los Angeles Unified provided more than 40,000 meals to students and families in need., “in one day becoming the largest provider of this support in the state. We expect the volume to grow significantly in the next few days as families know more about this.”
The effort, Beutner said, is made possible by employees of Los Angeles Unified who signed up to help, volunteers from the Red Cross, and contributions from local foundations. “We’ll continue to build on this community service and are pleased Chef José Andrés and World Central Kitchen will be joining the effort in the next few days.”
In conjunction with the meals program, a charity called LA Students Most in Need will help provide meals and supplies for students and family members. Funds will also be used to address the digital divide, providing devices and digital libraries and books to enable students to continue learning. “We are grateful to The Anthony & Jeanne Pritzker Family Foundation and the Ballmer Group which provided the lead gifts to start the effort, and others like Matthew McConaughey, Creative Artists Agency and Ali Larter, who have committed to help.”
UPDATE: Richard Lovett, the President of CAA, will donate $250,000 to the LA Students Most In Neeed fund. He joins The Anthony and Jeanne Pritzker Family Foundation and the Ballmer Group, who have each contributed $250,000 to start the effort. They are joined by a commitment from Matthew McConaughey and by the support of Creative Artists Agency, who have been providing pro bono services to Superintendent Beutner and Los Angeles Unified.
LA Students Most in Need will support students who no longer have the benefit of being in school every day. Funds will be used to provide meals and urgently needed supplies for students and family members. Funds will also be used to address the digital divide, providing devices and digital libraries and books to enable students to continue learning during the crisis caused by COVID-19.
“I hope anyone who can donate any amount, large or small, will pitch in to help – this is about feeding children in our city,” said Richard Lovett, President, CAA.
“Since LA’s schools are closed, many Los Angeles students and families are going without the resources they depend on to get through the day. That’s why I’m donating to LA Students Most in Need. The money pays for meals, snacks, supplies, access to technology…everything these kids need to learn and to thrive. Join us in helping out our students,” said Matthew McConaughey, Founder of just keep livin foundation, currently providing after-school programs in Los Angeles Unified.
LA Students Most in Need can be found here.
Beutner said families can call (213) 443-1300 with any questions or visit lausd.net.
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