The Penny Lane TAY Drop in Center in Commerce is able to provide fresh produce, baked goods, prepared meals, meats, and much more to homeless and at-risk youth thanks to the donations received from community businesses like Trader Joes, Lazy Acres Natural Market, and McDonalds. While the program purchases a great deal of food for clients, the COVID pandemic showed a need for youth to have food that can last them a week. This was especially true for our TAY clients who were able to obtain supportive housing, but experienced difficulty adjusting and budgeting for weekly groceries.
During the pandemic their food issues were exacerbated by fears of getting sick, the lack of a vaccine at that time, and lack of access to transportation. Starting January 2022, the TAY program partnered with Food Cycle LA and was able to receive weekly grocery donations from Trader Joes in Sherman Oaks. This partnership later included weekly donations from Lazy Acres Natural Markets in Long Beach.
Since November 2018 Penny Lane TAY had partnered with Food Donation Connection to receive food from El Pollo Loco in Bell once a week. This later was changed to McDonalds in Pico Rivera during the pandemic. This provides TAY staff with meals that could be reheated for clients onsite.
The TAY Drop in Center will continue to explore innovative ways to meet the dietary needs of its clients. One of the ways it is tackling nutrition needs is by implementing a Wellness Wednesday where the team started offering fresh smoothies, protein shakes, and green juices to clients. These healthy alternatives are made on site using the fresh produce that is delivered by the hardworking TAY staff. New needs will continue to produce new ideas. We are just getting started at the TAY Drop in Center.
If you are interested in donating food or information about how you can help our clients at the TAY Drop In Center please email Nambryan Do at ndo@pennylane.org .
