Look for the Helpers: Katy Perry helps her hometown, Navy vet turns 95
As our area is faced with ongoing changes due to a growing pandemic, we are bringing stories of people doing good in the community during a time of uncertainty.
Look for the helpers.
Mister Rogers
Global Nonprofit Feeds First Responders
World Central Kitchen and Rincon Brewery are feeding our first responders on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The effort is funded by World Central Kitchen, a global nonprofit organization founded by celebrity chef José Andrés.
The meals are prepared at Rincon Brewery in Ventura and delivered daily to different departments, including the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, Santa Barbara County and City Fire and Police, Harbor Control and AMR.
Thanks to this project, hundreds of meals are going out into the community six days a week.
Duo Delivers to Families in Need
Families in need are getting fresh and healthy food delivered right to their doorsteps.
After our schools closed down because of the pandemic, Santa Barbara resident Analise Maggio was worried that many people would not have enough to eat, so she asked her friends at Duo Catering to help.
Together, they created the new nonprofit "Duo More" which delivers locally sourced food that can feed a family several meals, along with a bag of produce from local farmes.
Right now, they are feeding about 10 families a day. Many of those families were recommended by CALM, the local nonprofit that specializes in the prevention and treatment of childhood trauma.
If you want to help provide a meal for a family, go to www.duoevents.com, order a meal and click the Duo More donate button.
Breakfast on the Superstar
Superstar Katy Perry is giving back to her hometown during the COVID-19 crisis.
Perry and her fiancée Orlando Bloom bought breakfast burritos and pastries from The Daily Grind and had the food delivered to Goleta Valley and Santa Barbara Cottage Hospitals.
With the food came a note from Perry and Bloom that reads: "Just a little breaky to say thank you and let you know that we are all thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers daily. Can't get through this without you!"
Birthday Card Bash
Jerry is a retired Navy Veteran who turns 95 next month. He lives alone in Santa Ynez and hasn't left his home in weeks because of the quarantine.
KEYT viewer Bridget Navarro met Jerry when she delivered groceries to his home and they bonded immediately.
Navarro wants the community to help celebrate Jerry's birthday because his family does not live nearby and when he turns 95 on May 8, we may still be under the stay at home order.
Specifically, Navarro is asking community members to send Jerry birthday cards. You can find more details including where to mail the cards to on her Facebook page.
Navarro said she is also going to decorate Jerry's yard and organize a drive-by birthday parade.
Know of any other helpers making a difference during these trying times? Send Alys an email and let her know!
