Approaching Maria’s home on the outskirts of Pico-Union, a driver lifts a cardboard box out of her trunk to transfer it onto Maria’s porch. In partnership with Via, Para Los Niños’s Best Start had launched a city-wide grocery distribution service as a response to families facing COVID’s high unemployment and health risk factors. To provide extra support with nutrition and mobility, a healthy mix of groceries are curated before being dispatched to participants’ doorsteps by Via drivers – a key benefit for those without means of transportation and/or have vulnerable health conditions to risk public transportation during this potentially dangerous time of the pandemic.
It is not long before Maria opens her door, sees the box with a knowing nod and inspects the box with her two curious grandkids peering over her shoulders. Inside, there are dairy products, grains, canned beans, oil and proteins like sausages and soy chorizos. “I can make oatmeal for my husband, cheese sandwiches for my grandkids and healthy protein meals for my kids,” she shares in Spanish. Combined with her age, not owning a car, and how critical her role is in raising her grandchildren, Maria explains how she feels Via’s program protects her health and safety to continue being in her grandchildren’s lives. Moreover, the groceries alleviate financial pressure on her family, especially when they navigate periods of part-time work or unemployment.
Maria is not only a cornerstone of her children’s and grandchildren’s lives, but also an active community member and participant of Para Los Niños’s Best Start program for nearly seven years. She lives with her husband, children, grandchildren and occasionally, additional family or visitors who stay with them from time to time. Like many immigrant families, Maria has taken the mantle of raising her young grandchildren. Although they are not in school yet, Best Start gave her educational toys to better prepare her grandchildren for school.