‘Outpouring of support’ during fire devastation
With a team of over 400 volunteers, OBKLA has worked tirelessly to cook, pack and distribute meals and cookies throughout the fire-ravaged city of Los Angeles.
Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles (OBKLA) has provided over 1000 kosher meals a day to emergency workers and displaced families in Los Angeles since the start of the devastating fires.
Yossi and Chaya Segelman brought OBKLA to Los Angeles after being inspired by Sydney’s Our Big Kitchen, which was founded by Rabbi Dovid and Laya Slavin. The Segelmans worked alongside the Slavins at OBK in Sydney for 12 years before relocating to California.
With a team of over 400 volunteers, OBKLA has worked tirelessly to cook, pack and distribute meals and cookies throughout the fire-ravaged city of Los Angeles.
OBKLA’s executive director Yossi Segelman said they have been inundated with requests for support and have over 500 people on a wait list to volunteer.
“This outpouring of support highlights the incredible strength and unity of our community,” he said.
“We are honoured to be able to serve those who are working around the clock to protect and care for others, as well as those who have lost so much in the wake of this disaster.”
Segelman said OBKLA remains committed to providing relief in the coming days and has the capacity to produce and distribute thousands of meals a day, “ensuring that everyone in need has access to nutritious, wholesome kosher meals during this challenging time”.
Meanwhile, Israel-based humanitarian aid and disaster relief organisation SmartAID, in collaboration with their local partners in California, is on the ground responding to the devastating wildfires.
“The powerful bond between Israel and America is further empowered and strengthened by our shared commitment to global humanitarian aid and technological innovation,” said SmartAID founder Shachar Zahavi.
“With an abundance of innovators, entrepreneurs and tech professionals in both nations, technology plays a crucial role in enhancing our collaborative efforts and ensuring that we are better equipped to face any challenge together, especially in times of disasters.”
SmartAID has been helping with provision of electricity, clean water, internet, and coordination and distribution of goods, ensuring the resources reach evacuees who need them most. The organisation specialises in delivering innovative technology to the field.
Australian Alethea Gold, who serves as a goodwill ambassador to SmartAID, is encouraging those who can to support the relief efforts.
For more information visit https://www.smartaid.org/
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