October 15 & 16: Venice Family Clinic Celebrates World Food Day With 2 Free Food Distribution Events

Nonprofit Community Health Center’s Free Food Distributions Provide Healthy Food to Families in Need Across L.A. County

VENICE, CA — (October 7, 2024) — Venice Family Clinic, a nonprofit community health center serving 45,000 people in need from the Santa Monica Mountains through the South Bay, is celebrating World Food Day 2024 with two back-to-back free food distribution events on October 15 and 16.

The Clinic will provide healthy fruits and vegetables to the public free of charge at the Simms/Mann Health and Wellness Center (2509 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405) on Tuesday, October 15 from 9 to 11 a.m., while supplies last. It will also host a free food market from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., or while supplies last, the following day, Wednesday, October 16, at the Chuck Lorre Rose Avenue Health and Wellness Center (604 Rose Ave., Venice, CA 90291).

Members of the public are welcome to attend these free events, and no appointment is necessary. Each food distribution will include a variety of free produce designed to support balanced diets. Attendees should bring their own bag to collect and carry their produce home.

As part of its ongoing “Vote for Your Health” initiative, Venice Family Clinic will also host “Get Out the Vote” stations at these events. This initiative is designed to encourage everyone to engage in the political process by providing tools and resources to help people vote. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to help people confirm the details of their voter registration and/or to assist eligible attendees in registering to vote.

“World Food Day is a great opportunity to acknowledge that food is medicine, and that access to nutritious food is deeply connected to preventing illness and supporting overall health and well-being,” said Dr. Mitesh Popat, CEO of Venice Family Clinic. “That’s why Venice Family Clinic hosts regular free food markets at five clinic locations throughout our service area. By bridging the gap between food and health, we’re not just addressing hunger, but actively supporting long-term wellness for the individuals, families and communities we serve.”

Nearly half (42%) of Venice Family Clinic’s patients struggle to put enough nutritious food on the table for their families. As a local leader in providing comprehensive, high-quality health care, Venice Family Clinic regularly distributes free produce at its Santa Monica, Culver City, Inglewood, Venice and Gardena locations, drawing large crowds of community members who otherwise struggle to afford fresh fruits and vegetables. The Clinic began distributing groceries at no cost to individuals and families in 2019, and this program continues to grow in response to community need. In 2023, the Clinic distributed over one million pounds of fresh produce and other staples.

World Food Day, celebrated annually on October 16th, raises global awareness about hunger, food security and the importance of sustainable food systems. Each year, this day highlights ongoing efforts – both local and global – to combat hunger and promote access to nutritious food for all.

For more information about these events and additional dates and locations of free food markets, please see the food distribution category of the Clinic’s community calendar. To learn more about Venice Family Clinic’s programs, please visit VeniceFamilyClinic.org

About Venice Family Clinic

Venice Family Clinic is a nonprofit community health center that is a leader in providing comprehensive, high-quality health care to more than 45,000 people in need annually, regardless of their income, insurance or immigration status. The Clinic serves an area from the Santa Monica Mountains through the South Bay in Los Angeles County. It has a network of clinic locations and Early Head Start centers in Venice, Santa Monica, Mar Vista, Inglewood, Culver City, Redondo Beach, Carson, Gardena and Hawthorne, plus mobile clinics and an expansive street medicine program to reach people experiencing homelessness. The Clinic’s comprehensive care also includes mental health services, dental care, vision services, substance use treatment, prescription medications, domestic violence counseling, HIV services, healthy food distributions, health education, health insurance enrollment, child development services and more. For more information, please visit  VeniceFamilyClinic.org  and follow on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Photo caption: Venice Family Clinic intern Sameer Wason hands out fresh produce at a free food market event.