By Lookout Staff

December 21, 2020 -- Santa Monica is accepting contributions through December 31 to help feed the city's needy during the holiday season, City officials announced last week.

The call for contributions came after the City Council unanimously voted last Tuesday to contribute up to $20,000 to support the Virginia Avenue Park Food Pantry.

The Council voted to immediately contribute $10,000 in discretionary funding and to commit up to another $10,000 to match contributions by others.

The City's contributions were made in recognition of City staff who have served as frontline workers throughout the pandemic, City officials said.

“We know Santa Monica community members are struggling and we want to rally around them with nutritious food this holiday season,” said Mayor Sue Himmelrich.

“We invite you who are not struggling to join us in lifting up our fellow community members by donating to the We Are Santa Monica Fund."

Donations will help more families with food boxes through December and into the new year, Himmelrich said.

"Recent restrictions on business operations to stop the spread of COVID-19 are impacting more Santa Monica families as we near the holidays," City officials said in a statement.

"Every donation is appreciated and contributes to community resiliency," officials said.

To make a donation, visit calfund.org/wearesantamonica/ and select “Holiday Food Pantry” through the area of support drop down.

Through generous donations from the Santa Monica community, the City has been able to provide 2,000 food boxes to Santa Monica families since November 1 experiencing food insecurity each week through the COVID-19 pandemic.