As big a mess as 2020 has been, Long Beach has rallied to help those in need. Churches, non-profits, local organizations, even a dry cleaners, have stepped up to brighten a child’s Christmas, keep that pantry stocked or make sure no one goes without a warm winter coat.

Still, need is greater than ever, especially for food banks where they report demand for assistance among local families has doubled, even tripled this year. This Saturday, Dec. 26 from 9 to 11 a.m., The Belmont Heights United Methodist Church is hosting a drive-thru food and coat drive to help local non-profit, AIDS Food Store of Long Beach meet their needs.

United Methodist Church is encouraging those who’d like to donate to have bags of canned goods and other non-perishables ready to be quickly unloaded out of the cars, by either having them placed in the trunk or backseat of the vehicles so an attendant may easily grab them. The church is also accepting grocery deliveries from Instacart, Amazon Fresh or any other delivery service. You can send those to 241 Loma Ave (zip code is 90803) and specify the font porch as the drop off location.

For those who’d still like to drop-off the goods in person, United Methodist requests that guests wear a mask and maintain a six-foot distance from their on-site attendees.

Coats of any size, new or used, will also be accepted and distributed to Long Beach Children’s Clinic and St. Lukes Church.

For more information visit United Methodist’s Facebook event page, click here, or call (562) 439-6804.

Belmont Heights United Methodist Church is located at 317 Termino Ave.