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Janelle Monae and Maxine Waters

Image via @janellemonae/Instagram

Since the protests around racial injustice and the COVID-19, or novel coronavirus, pandemic impacted the U.S., celebrities and public figures have been stepping up to help underserved communities in need. In honor of the social media initiative, #BlackOutTuesday, Janelle Monae teamed up with Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) to give away free meals to the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles for families in need.

UPI reports that the award-winning entertainer and songstress organized the event through her Wondaland Arts Society for a WondaLunch food giveaway program for those impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The new initiative was designed to help communities who may not have access to healthy food options due to socio-economic factors. In Los Angeles, roughly 2 million residents do not have access to enough food to support a healthy diet.

The entertainer was joined by other high-profile figures including political commentator Angela Rye, actress Yara Shahidi, along with numerous others to give out 2,000 boxes of fresh foods in Ted Watkins Memorial Park.

“I’m really thankful that people see the love in it and see the openness and understanding that the only way we’re going to survive this crisis, this pandemic, is by sticking together and leaning on each other,” Monáe said in a statement according to NewsOne. Prior to the viral outbreak, the singer has been an advocate against food insecurity amongst marginalized groups around the country. She previously hosted other food giveaways in Atlanta and brought it to Southern California back in May.

 



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