Honoring the fruits of Chávez’s labor

Commemorating the memory of César Chávez can take many forms during an upcoming week of service.

César Chávez’s legacy has long inspired philanthropy. Now a couple of Los Angeles groups are hoping it will inspire some “fruitanthropy,” too.

L.A. Works and Food Forward are recruiting volunteers to pick and sort fruit at various locations in the San Fernando Valley this weekend. The resulting harvest will be donated to local food pantries. Those efforts will culminate at the César Chávez Day of Service on Friday, March 30, when there will be a large morning picking session, followed by a food justice discussion with the organizers of the event. SOVA Community Food and Resource Program will pick up the day’s bounty on-site when the work is done.

It’s all part of the César Chávez Commemorative Week of Service.

“We wanted to bring the day back to the roots of the holiday and highlight some of the themes that revolve around César Chávez’s work,” said Becca Bloom, director of programs at L.A. Works. “Food justice seemed like the perfect fit.”

Volunteers can sign up online for the three “fruitanthopy” opportunities in the San Fernando Valley this weekend, March 24 and 25, or sign up for the final event next Friday, March 30. There will be a brief training session before each outing to make sure good fruit is picked and property is not damaged in the process.

L.A. Works is a nonprofit organization that functions as a recruiting center for community service projects across greater Los Angeles. Since 1991, its volunteers have logged more than a million service hours while providing more than 425,000 meals to homeless and low-income individuals, conserving and restoring the environment, educating children, caring for shelter pets and more. Visit its website for a full calendar of volunteer opportunities near you.

For the César Chávez Week of Service, L.A. Works is joining forces with Food Forward, a nonprofit group that fights urban hunger and food waste simultaneously by harvesting excess produce.

Chávez came to national attention after mobilizing farm workers and founding a union that became the United Farm Workers. His nonviolent tactics helped the movement—and Chávez himself—earn widespread support.

You can also honor his memory by attending a commemorative march in the Northeast San Fernando Valley on Saturday, March 25. It begins with an 11 a.m. rally at Brand Park and ends with a Cultural Art Festival at Richie Valens Park in Pacoima. Speakers at the rally will include Anthony Chávez, grandson of the activist, and Roberto Gustos, one of the original farm union members from 1965.

Also consider supporting Los Angeles County employees’ César Chávez Community Service Week, which runs from March 26 through 31, by making a donation to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

Posted 3/21/12