A Great Article by Barbara Hill (2003)

Health Education Local Pantry Service is a community program staffed by volunteers who donate their time and energy to assist people in need. This program is organized and run by volunteers, many who simultaneously serve on individual school boards.

The H.E.L.P.S. program provides food staples to residents of Downey and to families whose children attend Downey schools. Clients are assisted every other month and given special baskets of food as well as gifts for the children at Thanksgiving and Christmas. H.E.L.P.S. also contributes financially to subsidize health programs within Downey schools including: dental screening, Red Ribbon Week (drug awareness), Grad Night, and G.O.O.D. (Gangs Out of Downey). 

Applicants to the program are referred by Downey Unified School District or through Community Services at City Hall. 

H.E.L.P.S. was formerly Downey Thrift Shop. This community pantry stocks its shelves with donations from community organizations, churches, and individual citizens. Annual food drives at the schools of Downey Unified School District are a primary source of donations.

The H.E.L.P.S. Room is located at Apollo Park within the Downey Community/Senior Citizens Center. Office hours are: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday and Friday.

DUSD PTA Unit Volunteer Schedule

(2022-2023 school year)

SEPTEMBER 2022

 2nd: Alameda

 7th: Carpenter

9th: Downey

14th: Doty

16th: Gallatin

21st: Gauldin

23rd: Griffiths

28rd: Imperial

30th: Old River

OCTOBER 2022

5th: Lewis

7th: Old River

12th: Price

14th: Rio Hondo

19th: Rio San Gabriel

21st: Stauffer

26th: Sussman

28th: Unsworth

NOVEMBER 2022

2nd: Ward

4th: Williams

9th: Warren

16th: THANKSGIVING MEALS

18th: Alameda

30th: Carpenter

DECEMBER 2022

2nd: Downey

7th: Doty

9th: Gallatin

14th: Gauldin

16th: CHRISTMAS DRIVE

CLOSED DEC 21, 2022 – JAN 11, 2023

FEBRUARY 2023

1st: Stauffer

3rd: Sussman

8th: Unsworth

10th: Ward

15th: Williams

17th: Warren

22nd: Griffiths

24th: Imperial

MARCH 2023

1st: Old River

3rd: Lewis

8th: Price

10th: Rio Hondo

15th: Rio San Gabriel

22nd: Alameda

24th: Carpenter

29th: Downey

31st: Warren

APRIL 2023

5th: Doty

19th: Gallatin

21st: Gauldin

26th: Griffiths

28th: Imperial

MAY 2023

3rd: Old RIver

5th: Lewis

10th: Price

12th: Rio Hondo

17th: Rio San Gabriel

19th: Stauffer

24th: Sussman

26th: Unsworth

31st: Ward

JUNE 2023

2nd: Williams

7th: Warren

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL IS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2023!