It might just be the longest drive-thru line in Southern California.
But when these drivers pull up in front, there are no tellers, fast food or even cashiers.
Instead, each car is greeted by a group of volunteers who efficiently load bundles of fresh produce and two weeks' worth of groceries into the trunk – all for free.
Volunteers place groceries in recipients' car trunks Simrin Singh/CBS News
This is the Seva Collective food pantry in Santa Ana, California. A food desert is a geographic region where residents struggle to consistently obtain nutritious food.
Born at a critical time of need during the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization will use a small group of volunteers, food and toys purchased by the organizers themselves, and support for communities dealing with food insecurity. It started as a humble endeavor, based on a dream. .
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“When we first started, we were driving to the food market in downtown Los Angeles or driving to central California to buy citrus. We were all over the place, in a sense. ,” said Vandana Singh, founder of Seva Collective.
After serving 4 million meals, Seva Collective continues to grow, welcoming new volunteers, partnering with food banks, businesses and farms, and hosting special toy and clothing drives.
“Our goal is to get non-perishable food as well as fresh food into the cars and carts of every family that passes through the drive,” Singh said. “We line up cars as early as 3 or 4 a.m., but we don't start driving until 9:30 a.m. So for us, as a volunteer team, it means the need is there. We're showing that we can do whatever we want.'' “
The initiative has become a community staple that neighbors rely on every month to feed their families, said longtime supporter Jody Watts.
“It takes away the fear, it takes away the anxiety of not being able to provide enough food for your family,” Watts said.
Jody Watts, a longtime pantry user, waits in line hours before the drive begins.Simrin Singh/CBS News
Many people, like Watts, have been coming to the pantry for years, but new faces arrive every month, like Laura Castro, who learned about Seva Collective through her children's school.
“I have five kids, so that helps me,” Castro said. “I wish my children [leave here] There were big smiles on their faces. ”
While Seva Collective's primary purpose is to feed those in need, we also provide fresh food to those in line to encourage healthy habits and slow systemic health problems in this food desert community. The focus is on delivering food and unprocessed foods, Singh said.
This week's kit included watermelon, romaine, English muffins and more.Simrin Singh/CBS News
According to the Food Empowerment Project, food deserts are most common in Black and brown communities and low-income areas, and are often caused by fast food chains or food deserts that sell processed foods high in fat, sugar, and salt. There is an overabundance of corner stores.
“We know that if they don't consume fresh food, they end up consuming junk, and that's a systemic problem that leads to health problems down the road,” Singh said. “We hope that the small steps we take now can help improve the health of future generations and all of us as we age.”
Volunteers and recipients come from a variety of backgrounds, but the founder's Sikh faith inspired the organization.
The name 'Seva' comes from the Sikh concept of selfless service. And their slogan 'Sarvat Da Bara' is a prayer for the prosperity of all humanity and inspires Sikhs to do good for all.
And that's exactly what this group is doing.
Each month, Seva Collective distributes 60,000 pounds of food to more than 1,200 families.
In recent efforts, the organization partnered with brands like Young LA to also distribute toys, books, and clothing.
The special gift bags were presented in celebration of Vaisakhi, one of the most religiously important days of the year for Sikhs. This marks the birth of the Khalsa Panth and the recognition of Sikhism as an official faith and community.
“As we celebrate Vaisakhi, we want to share that with our community because it is when we became the collective that we are today. We want them to celebrate,” Kaul said.
In addition to providing food, toys, and other necessities, the organization continues its pay-it-forward ethos. Watts, who has volunteered with Seva Collective, said she plans to use the proceeds from the drive to feed people in the community.
“It made me feel like I could give back,” Watts said. “I wouldn't have had the means to help others. I recently became disabled, but I have food left over and I love to cook, so I go and feed the homeless in my neighborhood. Now I can do that.”
“If we don't use something, we sometimes give it away to someone else,” said Charlene, another recipient. “We try to help our neighbors.”
Perhaps the most remarkable part of this entire operation are the volunteers who show up before sunrise and several days in advance to carry out this activity without asking for anything in return. Over the years, over 500 unique volunteers have come to help, come rain or shine.
William Tarango, a teacher who volunteers, said: “It's a labor of love, but you can see it by the number of cars, the number of cars, the number of people in line…It impacts the community. It's having a positive impact.” He has been with Seva Collective for three and a half years. “It’s great to be around people who just want to serve and just want to help.”
For some volunteers, like Shilpa Chitli, it's energizing to show up bright and early to prepare for the drive and interact with other people who work there.
“This is a kind of meditation for me, because being among this whole group of amazing people and working here, there's no better way to spend a Saturday morning,” Chitli says. said.
Marsha Mehta, who has been bringing her children to volunteer at drives since the pandemic, said while the pantry helps those in line, it has had a lasting impact on the children's worldview. .
“The first time we came, my older son was coming here during the coronavirus and seeing how grateful everyone was who came through the grocery line. , that really made an impression on him,” Mehta said. “I think this is very important.”
Vandana Singh, founder of Seva Collective, assigns tasks to volunteers who arrive at the drive.Simrin Singh/CBS News
Singh said the initiative was an opportunity to feel grateful and humbled, adding that none of this would have been possible without the Army volunteers who chose to spend their Saturday mornings filling trunks with food.
“I feel lucky to work with these people all year long. I feel blessed to be able to help families coming out,” Singh said. “There are so many emotions.”
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