Responding to Crisis: Westside Food Bank and the January 2025 LA County Fires
When the Palisades and Altadena Fires first broke out, things escalated very quickly. Our organization was immediately involved in supporting relief efforts. Within hours, we received an overwhelming number of calls — locally, nationally, and internationally — from people wanting to know how they could help those affected.
Our first priority was keeping stakeholders and those affected by the fires informed.
I quickly built and launched a dedicated fire relief website. Initially, it provided real-time updates, evacuation resources, and donation options for those looking to support our efforts. Now, the website is focused on communicating our ongoing work toward recovery and rebuilding.
Fire Relief E-blasts
Fire Relief Newsletter
I edited timely video updates featuring staff members to communicate internal response efforts during the fires. I also developed a client spotlight video highlighting a community member personally impacted by the fires to strengthen donor and stakeholder engagement.
Fire Relief Video Updates
Social Media Posts
Media Coverage
My relationships with reporters at multiple local media outlets, combined with proactive outreach to provide updates about Westside Food Bank’s efforts, secured over 30 regional and national media placements. This coverage greatly expanded our visibility and drove increased donation support during this critical response period.
Key coverage includes:
Press Releases
