In Malibu, Boys & Girls Club and Waveside Deliver Food For Free

MALIBU — Thanks to generous donations from the Victoria Principal Foundation and residents Joan and Burt Ross, the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu (BGCM) and Waveside Church have delivered free groceries to the town’s senior and vulnerable populations. The donations have also allowed the BGCM to provide a week’s worth of free meals to the families of Malibu service workers, many of whom have been laid off since the start of the pandemic.

Since BGCM and Waveside’s most recent collaboration began in March (they have partnered many times before, most recently to provide relief after the Woolsey Fire), BGCM Executive Director Kasey Earnest estimates that staff have made roughly 60 food deliveries in Malibu per week, and distributed 75 essential food item bags to families through pickup locations in Oxnard and Los Angeles.

Normally, the two nonprofits rely on a crew of volunteers, but are now restricting deliveries to staff to comply with social distancing requirements. “We love volunteers and thrive on volunteerism, but during this time we need to put controls on how many people we’re interacting with,” said Earnest, who noted that she hopes to start bringing back volunteers after the Safer at Home Order is lifted.

For now, eight staff members from BGCM and seven from the Waveside Church deliver groceries to Malibu seniors Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Malibu residents simply send an email with their lists to staff, who go to supermarkets and deliver it to their doors once or twice a week, all completely free of charge.

Earnest said that many seniors and service workers have gotten emotional when talking about how these programs have helped them during difficult times. “I’ve had a couple of people get really emotional and overwhelmed over the phone, like the community really cares about my safety,” said Earnest.

Service worker families have been just as grateful for the food item bags. “These families were service providers in Malibu and for the most part those services have been eliminated, meaning their income has been eliminated, and we realize we are providing a true lifeline to these families in that they don’t have money to pay for food,” said Earnest.

While running a busy delivery schedule, the BGCM continues to provide virtual programming and activities for the area’s youth and at-risk populations. It is still running all of its mental health programs, and Earnest said that 90% of BGCM’s wellness clients have been able to work with them virtually. The staff has also developed virtual programs to foster connections between youth in Malibu and Greater Los Angeles.