LAFC and the LAFC Foundation today announced the launch of the Black & Gold Community Fund, an extension of the LAFC Foundation designed to directly support the LAFC community: our ticketed members, in particular those working in essential roles or those overcoming extreme challenges, our part-time staff and the small businesses surrounding Banc of California Stadium, that have been impacted by COVID-19.
“LAFC, the LAFC Foundation and Banc of California Stadium are committed to being a force for good in Los Angeles now more than ever,” said LAFC President and Co-Owner Tom Penn. “Through the launch of Black & Gold Community Fund, we aim to provide support to those in our community who need it most.”
The Black & Gold Community Relief Fund is intended to offer a range of free resources including financial assistance, fresh produce and perishable food items, access to free personal protective equipment (PPE) and additional opportunities as they arise. The Black & Gold Community Relief Fund is making a difference in the below areas:
Free Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Following Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s recommendation to wear face coverings in public, the Black & Gold Community Fund and The 3252 Independent Supporters Union have committed to donating 20,000 medical masks to members of the LAFC community.
On April 13, LAFC President and Co-Owner Tom Penn partnered with Council District 9 to coordinate the donation of 10,000 total masks. Within the district, 8,000 masks were distributed to St. John’s Well Child and Family Center Clinics for their medical staff, 1,000 to the Kedren Community Mental Health Center, 500 to South Central Family Health centers, and 500 to South Central Neighborhood Services.
The following week, The 3252 Independent Supporters Union with the help of The LAFC Foundation and Beyond the Bell Leadership, donated 10,000 masks to front-line Angelenos through LAUSD Grab-and-Go Sites, distributing 3,252 masks at Manual Arts High School and 3,252 masks at Berendo Middle School. An additional 2,000 masks were donated to ICEF Charter Schools and the Lennox School District.
Photos from this distribution can be viewed here.
Fresh Food Donations
LAFC and Banc of California Stadium have teamed up with Mark-Ridley Thomas, UNITE HERE! Local 11, SEE-LA, Expo Park and Cedars Sinai to provide fresh produce boxes from local partner farmers to over 4,400 families in need. The program, which began on April 15, is set to feed 1,100 families weekly, every Wednesday, for the next four weeks. Each box will include a week’s worth of fresh seasonal produce including a dozen eggs, 5-7 varieties of vegetables, 10 pounds of oranges, plenty of berries, and information about local public nutrition benefit and incentive programs. LAFC has facilitated the donation of packaged food, including CLIF Bars, that will be included in the box, as well as personal protective gear for the volunteers that will distribute the boxes on a weekly basis.
Photos from the April 15 pickup at Banc of California Stadium can be viewed here.
Blood Drive
LAFC and the LAFC Foundation together with the American Red Cross and Banc of California are set to host two Blood Drives on Friday, May 8 and Thursday, May 28 at Banc of California Stadium. The Red Cross strongly urges healthy, eligible blood donors to schedule a donation to maintain a sufficient supply of blood products for those in need during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
As presenting partner, Banc of California’s contributions will cover all operational costs for the drive including staffing, security, custodial crews and the donation of 100 gift bags for volunteers. Additionally, Club partners CLIF Bar, Califia Farms, BODYARMOR and Dole will be donating product to support blood donors.
More info about the Blood Drives, including how to sign up, please click here.
Financial Assistance
Allocated funds will provide emergency financial support to those that have been adversely impacted by the postponement of the 2020 MLS season due to the current public health crisis. Support will be assessed and provided through an application process called the Black & Gold Emergency Relief Fund Request, which will be reviewed by LAFC Force for Good Committee.
For more information on how to receive funding, please visit https://www.lafc.com/fund.
Funding & Donations
Funding will come directly from both the LAFC Foundation, who’s pledged $60,000 and The 3252 Independent Supporters Union, who’s pledged an additional $7,000. LAFC rum partner Captain Morgan has also donated $55,000 to the Black & Gold Community Fund as part of MLS Unites, a league-wide platform designed to educate communities, entertain fans and elevate heroic efforts during the pandemic.
In response to inquiries from season ticket members looking to assist, the LAFC Foundation has launched the Stadium Strong Campaign, an online fundraising initiative with the goal of raising at least $22,000 to represent every seat in Banc of California Stadium. To provide LAFC members an opportunity to help with the Foundation’s COVID-19 relief efforts, LAFC aims to collect donations of $1 to match member’s individual seats in Banc of California Stadium. The LAFC Foundation will match each donation up to $22,000.
Additionally, the Club has launched the LAFC Charity Challenge Series presented by Toyota, a 10-game FIFA 20 gaming challenge streamed live on twitch.tv/lafc to support the Black & Gold Community Fund initiatives. Launched on March 29, the LAFC Gaming Charity Challenge Series has already raised over $7,000 through viewer donations. Fans are encouraged to continue to tune in to learn eMLS player, Remi Martin’s, “Keys to the Match” and donate to help support the LAFC Foundation and the Black & Gold Community Fund in their efforts to bring resources to those impacted by COVID-19.
Those wishing to help can visit here to learn more and to donate. Further information for potential beneficiaries who are interested in accessing assistance from the Black & Gold Fund will be added here.
