Noel Community Organization held a grand opening and food distribution event at a new food pantry located at Lily of the Valley Church of God in Christ, in Long Beach on Saturday, Oct. 5.
Pastor Daryl White and First Lady Norma White welcomed Granville and Lina Noel, who founded the nonprofit, whose mission is to provide relief and assistance with food, water, clothes and hygiene items for the underserved. Joey King, district field representative for California Senator Lena Gonzalez (District 33), and Alex De Leon, field deputy for Long Beach Councilman Roberto Uranga (District 7) were in attendance as well, and presented certificates of recognition to both the nonprofit and the church.
“Coming from the Caribbean… growing up under poverty [and] being blessed to come to America and gain opportunity… it’s always good to give back,” said Granville Noel, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago and serves as president of the nonprofit. “We thank God we could contribute to give back to this community.”
“This has been in my heart as a little child,” said Lina Noel, who co-founded the nonprofit with her husband and serves as administrator. “Even when I didn’t have, I was still a giver – I always wanted to help the community. [Granville] does the same thing, so us together having that same mentality, makes it even better.”
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Pastor White expressed his gratitude for the Noels and their work and described the twofold intentions of the partnership with Noel Community Organization.
“We’re doing this so that we might feed stomachs with food that is physical; but we really want to feed you with spiritual food,” he said to the gathering of community members. “We we want you to know that the Bread of Life is available to you, and we want you to know that there are living waters … if you accept Jesus Christ as your lord and savior.”
The food pantry at Lily of the Valley Church is open every 1st Saturday, from 10 a.m. to noon. Granville Noel said that occasional pop-ups will occur there is an overflow of food, which is donated by the L.A. Food Bank, Bimbo Bakeries USA, and other corporations. Nearly 50 individuals arrived at Saturday’s food distribution, with volunteers from Lily of the Valley Church and Noel Community Organization working side by side.
“I just hope it helps the community,” said Lina Noel. “I know it is. As we were preparing the place, every time we saw someone, we’d say, ‘Hey, there’s a new resource for you guys. Tell a friend, tell a neighbor.’ And they have. When we got here [today], they were here early at 8 o’clock, so obviously, there’s a need. We are so happy to fill that need.”
Jeannette Daniels, a Lily of the Valley minister, noted that, “This was something in the heart of the Pastor and First Lady…for a long time. Prayer was started a year ago. It’s fulfilling love of God and the community.”
The area served by Lily of the Valley Church is 80 percent Filipino, with Latino and other demographics, who live mainly at the poverty level. Norma White, a Filipina who interprets in Tagalog for her parishioners, said that the new food pantry and its accompanying First Lady’s Locker of clothing, provides, “… a big impact for the community that helps them to recover, wherever they are.”
District Field Rep. King began his work with the state during the COVID-19 pandemic, seeing the inequities that arose at that time. He pitched in during Saturday’s food drive, helping volunteers to distribute food.
“I always tell people that the work I do for the state pays the bills, and the work I do in the community pays my heart,” he said.
Pastor White, who welcomed community members as they received their food, drew from Scripture to describe the day.
“I feel great,” he said. “We’re doing what the Lord told us to do – to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, and to help the least of these.”
Noel Community Organization now has five pantries, in partnership with local churches in Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Compton. The nonprofit also collaborates with other churches to fulfill missionary work in Trinidad and Tobago and St. Vincent and The Grenadines to help the less fortunate in those nations.
For more information, visit noelcommunity.org/home or call 562-335-1330.
