Eastmont Community Center’s Día de los Reyes Celebration Demonstrated the Power of Community Partnerships

East Los Angeles, CA — Eastmont Community Center’s Día de los Reyes Food & Toy Distribution brought together families, partners, and supporters for a morning rooted in tradition, dignity, and collective care. The event served as both a cultural celebration and a vital support effort, providing essential food assistance and toys for children while demonstrating how collaborative funding and partnerships make these community moments possible.

This year’s celebration generated meaningful impact across the community. A total of 200 families received food support, and 300 children received toys, helping ensure households could celebrate while meeting essential needs. Through regional food access partnerships, 7,224 pounds of food were distributed through the LA Regional Food Bank, and an additional 4,950 pounds were provided through Labor Community Services, expanding the reach of the distribution and strengthening the local food support network.

Events like Día de los Reyes are made possible through funding, in-kind contributions, and strong community partnerships. Labor Community Services played a central role, contributing 300 food boxes and 300 toys, directly supporting families during the celebration. The LA Regional Food Bank partnership ensured access to large-scale food resources that helped meet growing demand and reinforced regional collaboration around food security.

Corporate and community partners also helped make the day possible. Camino Credit Union supported the initiative by hosting a toy drive and donating toys, while Bank of America contributed toys and volunteered to personally wrap donations, adding a thoughtful touch for families receiving them. Additional support came from the California Highway Patrol, which donated toy boxes to help expand the distribution.

The event also brought together civic and community leadership, with representatives from Assemblywoman Jessica Caloza’s office in attendance, along with Wendy Carrillo, and leadership from Labor Community Services, including Executive Director Norma Lopez and Director of Communications Ulisses Sanchez. Their presence underscored the shared commitment across public, nonprofit, and corporate sectors to supporting families in East Los Angeles.

As ECC continues to host seasonal events and essential support programs, sustained funding and partner engagement remain critical. Community-centered initiatives like Día de los Reyes not only celebrate culture and connection, but also provide vital resources to families who rely on trusted local support systems. Ongoing investment ensures these events can continue to grow and reach more families each year.