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!