The Los Angeles Rams recently partnered with Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions (AVP), Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and Pepsi to host a mobile food distribution event at Compton College. Defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day was in attendance to help serve the hundreds of people that benefited from the event.
The Rams want to tackle food deprivation issues among college students and other underserved communities. For Joseph-Day, issues like this hit home.
“Both of my parents are from Haiti, third-world country, when they came here in this country, they gotta work really hard for everything that they got,” he said. “Haiti obviously isn’t doing too hot right now, my parents always raised me in a way of always giving back and always finding a way to help those in need.”
The Rams has partnered with the L.A. Regional Food bank for several years. They are hosting their sixth annual Taste of the Rams event on November 8.
“Obviously the Food Bank, I think what they’re doing is attacking a huge issue here that we have in L.A. County residents,” Joseph-Day said.
Residents can support these efforts by redeeming offers on Pepsi products at Vons, Albertsons, and Pavilions up until December 28. Pepsi intends to donate the financial equivalent to 10 meals every time an offer is purchased.
“As a food and beverage company, PepsiCo feels a responsibility to help support those who are facing food insecurity in our communities,” said PepsiCo Beverages vice president of marketing Claudia Calderon. “When you join forces with other likeminded organizations, the impact to our neighbors in need can be far greater, that’s why we teamed up with Sebastian Joseph-Day, the Rams organization, and our valued customers from Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions to support more than 800 Angelenos struggling with food insecurity. We are looking forward to hosting three additional events throughout the remainder of the year, continuing to fight food insecurity in LA, Orange, and Ventura counties.”
The Rams and AVP are fighting food insecurity throughout the Southern California region. On October 28, they will partner with the Second Harvest Orange County Pantry program and give out meal kits to college students. The kits will include eggs, milk, produce, and nonperishable items.
On November 22, the Rams, AVP, and Pepsi will partner with Food Share Ventura County to host a Thanksgiving food distribution. They will be providing turkeys, produce and nonperishable items.
During their fourth annual Community Blitz Day of Service, the Rams will host a holiday food distribution.
“It’s about the people and providing services to our people, to our community,” Joseph-Day said. “Me happening to be a Ram helps do that, then I’ll just keep using that platform to help better our community in any way I can.”
