A Summer of Quiet Streets and Growing Needs

In early August, the city of Santa Ana, California, was gripped by a sweltering heatwave. Yet, the streets remained unusually quiet. Many families, facing uncertain times and shifting policies, chose to stay indoors. Even when daily necessities became scarce, some hesitated to step outside, worried about their safety or the risk of losing what little income they had. As one local volunteer, Julie Lin (林香汝), observed, “Because of current policies, many families are afraid to go out to work. Some can only take part-time jobs, with limited income, and some don’t dare to leave home at all.”

Listening to the Community’s Needs

The seeds of this relief effort were sown in June, during a vegetable and fruit distribution at three schools in the Santa Ana Unified School District. Volunteers like Emily Chu (簡婉平) and Julie Lin noticed that schools were quietly preparing extra supplies for families whose livelihoods had been disrupted. Responding to this need, the team expanded its efforts, providing plant-based foods to over a thousand households.

However, by July and August, local food banks were running low, and distributions had to pause. Determined not to let support lapse, volunteers rallied the community, aiming to help at least 500 families bridge the gap.

A Community Responds

The call for help quickly spread. The focus was on staple foods familiar to many South American families—beans, breakfast cereals, and pasta. Volunteers from the Tzu Chi Orange County Service Center, parents from the Tzu Chi Academy in Irvine, and members of the Great Park Taiwanese Association all joined in. Even the abbot from Pao Fa Temple lent a hand.

Volunteers shared their experiences as they shopped for supplies:

“Costco’s cereal is only $2.50 a box.”

“I found 21 bags of beans, but there aren’t many places that sell Mexican beans.”

“I went to Walmart and Grocery Outlet early Friday morning; both had plenty of stock. Beans are more expensive at regular supermarkets.”

“We went to two Smart & Final stores to gather 50 bags.”

Also, some of the volunteers grab some bags of beans while they are doing their daily grocery shopping. These small, thoughtful purchases added up, forming “little mountains of love” in the school gymnasium. An assistant manager from Amazon Fresh even used his lunch break to drive a truckload of supplies, saying, “Amazon Fresh will support you.”

Hsin-Yi Liu (劉欣怡), president of the Great Park Taiwanese Association, reflected, “It was an honor to invite our community to join in. We donated 100 packages of grains, pasta, and beans. It may be a small gesture, but we hope it brings warmth to families in need.”

Packing and Distribution: A Collective Effort

On August 6, the Lathrop School elementary auditorium became a temporary warehouse. More than twenty community members and Tzu Chi volunteers worked side by side, assembling 580 relief bags in less than two hours. The bags, weighing over 2,000 pounds in total, included 828 packs of pasta, 731 bags of beans, 550 boxes of cereal, and 1,750 diapers. Though packed at Lathrop School, the supplies were destined for families across the Santa Ana Unified School District, delivered by teachers and social workers to those most in need.

Support Delivered by Educators

Educators and social workers played a vital role in ensuring the supplies reached the right families. Lisa Gonzales-Solomon, former principal of Madison Elementary and now Director of Family and Community Engagement (FACE) for the district, coordinated the effort. Raul Ramirez, a family engagement specialist, explained, “Being able to receive diapers, food, fresh produce, and dry goods gives families support and helps children stay in school, knowing they’ll have breakfast, lunch, and even dinner.”

Erika Benavides, FACE liaison at the district health center, added, “Our resource center serves nearly sixty schools, so families can get help directly or through their school. We serve tens of thousands of households in Santa Ana, and what they receive is more than just food—it’s also diapers. On behalf of these families, I want to express our deepest gratitude.”

A Message of Reassurance

As the new school year approached, some parents remained hesitant to send their children back to campus. The district offered online classes for up to four weeks, with teachers sending assignments digitally or through classmates. Volunteer Jinger Ning (甯靜嘉) noted, “The situation is gradually improving, thanks to the combined efforts of community volunteers.” With high school volunteers returning to class, the district is now seeking new helpers.

Simple Acts, Profound Impact

This collaboration highlighted the strong bonds between local immigrant communities and the broader Santa Ana neighborhood. Community volunteer Wei Wu (吳衛) participated with her daughter, Yan-He He (何彥禾), sharing, “What Tzu Chi does is simple and pure—it’s charity. They bring together people’s goodwill and turn it into action, passing it on to those who need it most, making the world warmer and more loving.” She sees Tzu Chi as a valuable platform for new immigrants and a place where children can gain life experience.

On August 8, as the relief packages reached families, they did more than fill empty pantries—they delivered a message: You are not alone. The community and schools are here for you.

Back on the quiet streets, children received homework from teachers, parents picked up rice, pasta, and diapers, and grateful eyes shone above their masks. Many may still stay home, but whenever there is a need, volunteers will reach out—living the words of Master Cheng Yen: “When those who suffer cannot come to us, those who are blessed must go to them.”

From donations gathered across the region, to sorting at the service center, to delivery at schools, and finally to each doorstep, these 500-plus relief packages have woven the threads of connection between people, bringing comfort and hope to every home.

Written by Chi-Fen Lin (林綺芬), Hui-Ching Su (蘇慧情)

Source: 五百多份物資的溫暖旅程