Community Profile Love N Groceries: Love is more than just groceries

Alissa Kroll & Stephanie Ratner-Stauber

ove N Groceries is a 501-C charity located in Los Angeles. It was started by three mothers on a mission to make sure that all mothers have what they need to support their families. They took it upon themselves to build a platform to give back to widowed mothers and fathers in the community.

Initially, in 2020, Love N Groceries started with just 2 families. Currently, LNG partners with 19 families and over 35 children to bring them weekly groceries and shower them with love. What began with providing groceries and pantry items, quickly expanded to offer birthday care packages, babysitting, specialized therapists, tuition support, medical bill support, Costco deliveries, and so much more. LNG delivers home-cooked meals, ensures that every holiday is felt and celebrated, and makes a great effort to partner with families to make sure their needs are taken care of. Each family receives an ambassador who regularly contacts them to update the LNG team about their specific needs and wants. The team speaks daily to calming blanket reminding me that Love N Groceries has my back. Words cannot express my thankfulness.” Another mother shared that “as we look at our pantry and see all the abundant supplies that will last many months, we are so grateful as this means I don’t have to worry about this al support. They lighten the mental load of the widow just by listening and being present, and at other times promoting and encouraging self-care.

The purpose is simple. Love n Groceries is not only there to offer support to these families during a devastating time, but also, to help years down the line, as doctors, lawyers, therapists, etc. The organization has also teamed with many of the Jewish schools in Los Angeles to get our youth involved. The motto at Love N Groceries is to think of what your family needs, and then get it for these families.

After receiving Chanukah gifts from LNG, one mother wrote: “What you ladies have done for me, there aren’t words. I cried to my sister today, telling her that although so much of what I feel is weighted with grief, I feel so lucky to be surrounded by the love and generosity of my community. You ladies make me feel loved and taken care of at times when I am feeling the most vulnerable. Thank you for making this Chanukah amazing for me, but thank you even more for making it spectacular for my children.” One volunteer was blown away by the impact that dropping off groceries and household items can have on a mother. She told LNG that the recipient said “tell everyone ‘Thank you so much,’ and that this is a life changer for her. She said that even not having to worry about the ability to afford toilet paper. It’s unbelievable and even in these few days with Covid, she still feels her life is mak- brainstorm ways to best help and support each family.

Knowing that many of their needs are taken care of by LNG allows mothers to focus on their children. One recipient gratefully said, “Thank you for all of the Costco house supplies you delivered to my home. Juggling work, my kids, and having very little free time hinders me from being organized and getting all my house supplies. Again, this help is like a warm need and can spend more time with my kids.”

The LNG team anticipates all possible needs that parents and families may have after losing a loved one. It is not only the items they provide but the hassle and burden lifted off the mother when she has so much else on her plate. Now, she has one less thing to worry about. LNG is volunteer-based and those volunteers also give their time and provide immense emotion- the responsibilities and pressures of raising a family single-handedly persist. The loss of a spouse and parent is profound and there is no manual on how to survive it. The team’s mission is to empower these families during this difficult time and to help them gain their independence. The longterm goal of Love N Groceries is to expand the awareness of the organization throughout Los Angeles. In doing so, LNG can continue to grow its member base and support more families with the emotional and financial burdens faced when losing a spouse.

Love n Groceries is a community-based organization that asks members to sign up and commit to a $25 weekly donation. These do- nations allow the organization to provide families with immediate emotional and financial support. To become a member of Love N Groceries, you may visit the website to sign up for a monthly or weekly commitment. Aside from monetary donations, there are many ways to get involved.

LNG is always looking for volunteers and they appreciate the community support and involvement. Members of the community have generously offered to help our families by donating their time or professional services, whether it be dentists, ing a turn for the better and she can go to sleep without worrying about everyday necessities.” Some of the recipients dream of being able to return the chesed one day.

“Sometimes I close my eyes and dream about a time when I am able to be one of the helpers packing special gifts that I know will light up the faces of those they are given to. I pray to be given the chance to give.” Here is your chance to sign up as a member so that LNG can continue providing for these families and children.

OUR MISSION IS TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL BURDENS FELT BY MANY OF THE WIDOWS, WIDOWERS AND CHILDREN IN OUR LOCAL LOS ANGELES JEWISH COMMUNITY.

WILL YOU SIGN UP FOR $25 A WEEK

TO HELP SUPPORT WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS IN OUR COMMUNITY?

TO JOIN US PLEASE SCAN THE CODE AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.LOVENGROCERIES.COM