South County Outreach is in “dire” need of supplies to held families during the summer months of June and early August, when requests for food assistance are typically at an all-time high. The Irvine-based nonprofit says it has a significant shortage of essential items to stock its food market. “Summer is typically a slower time for donations, but the need for food assistance doesn’t take a vacation,” said LaVal Brewer, President & CEO of South County Outreach. “We rely heavily on the generosity of our community to help us provide nutritious food to individuals and families in need. Every donation, big or small, makes a tremendous impact.” Key food items include canned fruit, pasta, sauce, jelly, cereal, canned tuna and chicken and other staples. Donations can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the food market at 7 Whatney, Suite B in Irvine. On Fridays, donations can be made from 9 a.m. to noon. For anyone who wants to make a monetary donation, go to sco-oc.org/donate. For other ways to help the nonprofit, go to sco-oc.org/get-involved or contact Lauren Ruiz at [email protected] or 949-687-2410. Mall lineup shifting again in Brea Brea Mall is adding seven new merchants, two of which are open now with the rest debuting later this year. Here’s a rundown of each: Levi’s: Jeanswear and accessories (now open). LoveSac: a furniture store known for its bean bag chairs, sectionals and accessories (now open). Roll & Co.: Customers will order customized spring rolls at the Vietnamese restaurant (opens in August). Hey Tea: Chinese tea company serves tea and the new “cheese” tea (opening this fall). Chow Tai Fook: The Hong Kong-based jewelry store opens in the fall. Slimeatory: Kids can shop for the infamous (to moms) sticky toys. (Opens in the fall.) Purificacion Garcia: The Spanish fashion brand sells high-end clothing and accessories for men and women. (Expect this to open by the year-end holidays.) The mall is undergoing a redevelopment of its southern side, where the former Sears and an adjacent parking lot are being converted to an outdoor shopping and dining area. Expected by next spring are the luxury gym Life Time, Zara, Din Tai Fung, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Pacific Catch, Philz Coffee and The Melt. Summer programs offer free food for children A host of free meal programs have launched for children who need food during the summer school break. Residents can find nearly 200 free meal providers in Orange County by going to shorturl.at/sqI6S. The list can be filtered by searching by a city name. Six local libraries will be the sites for free meal distribution Monday through Friday. The Lunch at the Library program began last week and stretches to early August for at least one branch. The program offers first-come, first-served lunches for children under the age of 18 from noon to 1 p.m. No registration is required to get the lunches. Costa Mesa, Dungan branch: June 20-July 19. Address: 1855 Park Ave. Lake Forest, El Toro branch: June 10 to July 26; 24672 Raymond Way, Lake Forest Garden Grove, Chapman and main libraries: June 3-July 11, 9182 Chapman Ave. and June 3-July 12, 11200 Stanford Ave. San Juan Capistrano: June 10-July 25 at 31495 El Camino Real Tustin: June 3-Aug. 2 at 345 E. Main St. SUN Bucks flowing to EBT cards The state last week announced it has joined the federal SUN Bucks program, which is providing $120 per child registered in their school’s free or reduced-price meal program. The money, $40 per month per child over the summer break, will be sent automatically as to electronics benefits transfer (EBT) cards, which can be used like CalFresh benefits to purchase groceries. Online readers can find an FAQ on the program at cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks/faq Free Spanish-language business classes on tap at Chapman The Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship at Chapman University is hosting a no-cost, Spanish-language summer program for entrepreneurs in Orange County. The eight-week program, which still has some spots available, will help 25 preselected participants start and grow their own businesses. Classes take place from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesdays between July 10 – Aug. 28. Topics include business ideas, marketing, sales, leadership, planning and financing. Each session will be interactive and led by industry experts, Chapman says. Registration is a two-step process with an initial information session and followup interview. For more information, go to shorturl.at/xgVcO. $500,000 will keep diaper program on track Orange County Board of Supervisors approved $500,000 for OC Diaper Bank, a program managed by Community Action Partnership of Orange County. Funding for this safety net program was expiring June 30. The organization says that since it was launched four years ago, the diaper bank has delivered more than 47 million diapers to families in need. The program enlists the help of 80 distribution partners, serving 10,000 children monthly. Milestones Edward S. Kim, physician-in-chief at City of Hope Orange County, recently was inducted into the 2024 Giants of Cancer Care program. He is one of only 15 oncologists worldwide to be inducted into the 2024 class. Kim received the Community Outreach/Education honor on May 30 for his work in diversifying clinical trials, City of Hope said. His work also included recruiting faculty to the cancer center in Irvine and for advancing “integrative oncology.” Robert Santana, chief executive of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, recently was honored with the Thomas G. Garth Award, the highest recognition by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Over 20 years, Santana has raised more than $90 million for programs that have helped at least 10,000 Orange County youth and their families annually. Status Update is compiled and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos to [email protected]. Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.
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