Once again, the Dodgers Foundation came up for the community in the Crenshaw District. This time around, partnered with Councilman Marqueece Harris Dawson Vector 90, an entrepreneurial workspace founded by David Gross and the late rapper Nipsey Hussle. This event is the Dodgers 14th distribution since April of 2020, close to when the pandemic started and stopped them from doing in-person programming for the kids and families.
The RBI drive-thru has been their new form of giving back to the communities. At the event at Vector 90, their goals were to giveaway items to over 200 families with at least 700 kids. Inside the boxes were food, clothes, fun Dodger goodies, PPE supplies, and other essential items they need during these trying times. Dodgers Foundation CEO Nichol Whiteman said, “We are making sure that we continue to show up for the communities in Los Angeles that need us the most.”
Dodgers have a sports-based youth development program involving 11,000 families, many from the Crenshaw District. They usually participate with them at the local parks, on the field, or other activities throughout the year. Whiteman states, “Because we are not able to be with them in person this year in our normal programming, we are seeing them this way. They actually signed up to be here for today’s distribution, and they are coming to collect things they know are going to help them.” The Dodgers Foundation is tackling L.A.’s most pressing problems. During the giveaway at Vector 90, the Dodgers noticed a family outside in a trailer, and they reached out to give the family food and essential items. “When we see people in need, it’s our obligation and our duty to be able to help those people.”
Councilman Harris-Dawson said every time he drives by Vector 90; his heart beats a little faster. “I feel warm because you feel the vision that Nipsey Hussle had, folks are carrying it on, folks are making it happen even though we lost him; he was such a big loss to our community.” He stated that they are out there, making sure folks have food for the next couple of weeks and making sure they have Dodger gear during the World Series. Council said he loves giving back to the community. “The sun is shining. The people are smiling; we’re giving away food. I was able to attend Taste of Soul and other events. We’re here with the Dodgers. This is what it is all about, people helping each other and stepping up when we need it.”
The Outreach Manager for Vector 90, Michael Gross, said he was thankful for the Dodgers Foundation having their event at the workspace and hopes to work with them again. “We got the Dodgers Foundation here at Vector 90; they are here doing a drive-thru giveaway. I think it is great giving back to the kids. They are giving away food boxes, and we are happy to have them here at Vector 90, and hopefully, we have them back again.” Gross spoke on the late Nipsey Hussle. “I think this is what Nip set out to do. He was all about giving back and empowering the community. Nipsey and David loved letting people do these types of events.”
