Hundreds of vehicles lined the streets surrounding Ted Watkins Park in Watts Tuesday, July 7, for the South Bay’s second Wondalunch, an event providing fresh food for families that have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Singer, producer and activist Janelle Monáe partnered with Democratic U.S. Reps. Maxine Waters and Nanette Diaz Barragan, actress Yara Shahidi, and attorney Angela Rye to deliver 2,000 prepared meals to residents in need.

Nonprofits the Wasserman Foundation, Project Isaiah, Social Justice Learning Institute, and The Leela Project, as well as Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino and radio station The Real 92.3 FM also helped provide meals.

The #WondaLunch trend began in April in Atlanta, home to Monáe’s record label Wondaland, after a member of Project Isaiah told her about 500 employees with airport catering service Gate Gourmet who lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic. Monáe hired Gate Gourmet to make 5,000 lunches for the first Wondalunch.

On Tuesday, vehicles drove down Success Avenue in Watts while dozens of volunteers placed meal kits into the beds of trucks or through passenger windows. The meal kits included fresh fruit, vegetables and poultry.

Author: Hunter Lee

Source publication: Daily Breeze