Now this is what community is all about!
Atheists are a great bunch of people. We are a force unto ourselves and always come together when our fellow citizens need us the most. There is no clearer example of this than what we have being doing during the many crises of 2020 to rally around our individual communities and support those whose need help. When our children and grandchildren ask us what we did during this time, we can hold our heads up high.
One particular example of this good nature and willing to help out is perfectly demonstrated by the awesome people at Atheists United in Los Angeles.
These guys have stepped up to the plate during their community’s time of need in central L.A. last weekend. Twenty of the group’s volunteers have provided large food parcels, filled with pre-made meals and groceries for around 80 individuals and families in need.
The impact of COVID-19 on the area has been huge. People’s mental and physical health has diminished, together with a tumbling economy causing massive job losses have only made the crisis worse with hunger and homelessness becoming all too prevalent in what some citizens call the “richest country in the world.”
Food insecurity has been a huge problem for many families and individuals during the pandemic, coupled with the nationwide furor over blatant racial injustice, and the incompetent Trump administration’s constant undermining of the upcoming election, have left many at breaking point.
Organisations run by fellow atheists have carried out immense charity work like this for a long time. The goal isn’t to promote atheism or to castigate religion but simply to help out their fellow neighbor. And Atheists United didn’t just stop at food and grocery offerings either.
The group have also set up a table for voter registration and handed out materials from the Secular America Votes project run by the Secular Student Alliance. They also set up a computer for the Census as well.
Evan Clark, Executive Director of Atheists United said:
“This is what atheist community building is all about. We know that hope alone can’t solve others’ suffering, so we come together and put our values into action.”
If this story has touched you and made you proud to be an atheist and you’d like to support future Atheists United food distribution programs, you can donate here. Every penny helps!