Last weekend, a vibrant scene unfolded at the patio of Boyle Heights’ X’tiosu, where a trio of restaurateurs and numerous volunteers came together to distribute food to the community.
As they packed bags filled with corn, squash, celery, potatoes, jalapeños, oranges, radishes, and other ingredients, they aimed to offer some relief to those feeling the pressure from intensified Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across Southern California.
Despite anticipating a long evening of handing out food, the team at X’tiosu was caught off guard when all 150 bags of groceries were claimed within just three hours.
Xochitl Flores-Marcial, a partner in the restaurant, expressed her understanding of the fears permeating through the community, even though they held legal documents themselves.
“The realities of our culture put us at risk too.
We recognize the dangers that many in our community are currently facing,” she stated.
Alongside chef-founders Felipe and Ignacio Santiago, who is also her husband, Flores-Marcial noted a stark absence in their neighborhood.
The street vendors who usually frequented their corner were nowhere to be found, a reflection of the current climate of anxiety among those making a living on the street.
Street vendors, such as taqueros and eloteros, have resorted to hiding, impacting their ability to feed themselves and their families.
Amidst their own struggles as a small restaurant facing challenges due to decreased business, the X’tiosu team felt a strong urge to assist these vulnerable vendors.
Recognizing their limitations regarding food supplies, they turned to their community for support.
With ancestral ties to Oaxaca and the Zapotec culture, the restaurant owners sought to embody the spirit of guelaguetza, which represents reciprocal aid during uncertain times.
On June 11, they made a call for donations via their Instagram page, encouraging community members to contribute to the cause of providing free meals.
Donations ranged from as little as $2 to a substantial $500 from one generous supporter, with a total of just over $3,000 raised all directed towards purchasing fresh produce and supplies.
“We want to ensure that people aren’t just fed, but that they also experience comfort through the meals we prepare,” Flores-Marcial explained, emphasizing the importance of nourishing food during such difficult times.
The initiative depended largely on the involvement of local youth, primarily Oaxacan volunteers, who eagerly delivered food bags door-to-door or to specific addresses.
Families in need participated by sending their children to pick up provisions or arrived on bicycles, eager to receive assistance.
While a small group of around ten individuals packed the groceries, others efficiently distributed them, including a couple who volunteered spontaneously after witnessing the efforts unfold around them.
The fundraising initiative also benefitted local farms and produce vendors, many of whom have experienced dwindling customers during the current climate.
Flores-Marcial shared her concern, noting that their own restaurant is barely surviving and lamenting, “I don’t know how much longer we can continue this…
But we aim to support those facing even bigger challenges.”
Though this experience marked the first extensive community initiative for X’tiosu, the restaurateurs remain open to similar efforts in the future and are currently collaborating with other businesses to continue assisting with food distribution.
As various grassroots movements gain momentum across Los Angeles, organizations like Aquí Para la Comunidad have emerged to provide discreet grocery donations to those staying inside to avoid ICE interactions.
Select grocery chains are coming forward to ease the burden on immigrant shoppers by waiving curbside delivery fees, while others like Vallarta Supermarkets are running discounts across their delivery apps.
Established aid organizations, such as the World Harvest Food Bank, continue serving the community, regularly offering food alongside mental health services for those in need.
Through its Cart With a Heart program, a $50 donation fills a shopping cart with essentials, although the organization is calling on community members to step in for delivering food to housebound individuals.
The Los Angeles chapter of the YMCA has also been actively involved, providing prepared meals and groceries under its FeedLA program.
Their initiatives cater especially to seniors and residents during moments of crisis while assuring that those avoiding public spaces can still access essential supplies.
“As the Center for Community Well-Being, we will be here to ensure our LA region feels safe and supported now and always,” they stated online.
YMCA branches across the area, from Koreatown to Boyle Heights, are assembling meals and supply packages in response to the ongoing crisis.
Various restaurants, bakeries, and food organizations across L.A. have united to fundraise for immigrants through strategic food sales.
A collaborative dessert box featuring treats from some of the city’s well-known bakeries recently sold out within hours, with proceeds directed towards the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights.
A coming event this Sunday at the Venice Beach Boardwalk will see a multitude of L.A. chefs offering a medley of genres – from pizza to kebabs – with all profits designated for similar humanitarian causes.
Organizer David Turkell highlighted the discomfort surrounding the current situation, asserting, “In Los Angeles, nothing beats the power of food in bringing people together.”
The sentiment of sharing food, from comforting home-cooked meals to familiar favorites like mac and cheese, endeavors to foster community amidst widespread anxiety.
Turkell, who previously rallied efforts during wildfires, adds that many undocumented chefs have expressed concern over their futures.
“They’re nervous about venturing outside, and the restaurants’ foot traffic is dwindling as a result,” he remarked.
His aim is to continue the culture of radical hospitality seen during the pandemic and fires, ensuring all feel welcome and comfortable within the community.
“People are scared, and we’re dedicated to providing comfort to everyone, no matter their background or origin,” Turkell remarked, reiterating the essence of Los Angeles’ community spirit.
image source from：latimes
