Lake Valley Fire Protection District helping locals with food and donations

MEYERS, Calif. - The members of the Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) help the community every day as first responders and protecting the community, but they are now adding on a new role.

They have donated money as well as started a program to go grocery shopping for the elderly in their district or for those unable to get to the store due to coronavirus impacts.

Last week members of the district's foundation presented a check for $1,000 to Bread & Broth to help supply food to those in the community who are impacted by layoffs due to the coronavirus.

President of the foundation Chris Heng said one of their members, Chris Anton. came up with an idea to find a group already giving out food to the community and to support them financially. The funds come from the LVFPD Foundation's annual fundraiser, the Fireman's Ball. Funds to that account also come from homeowners, both primary and secondary, who respond to an annual letter for donations.

They chose Bread & Broth to aid in food bags given to the community every Monday and Friday.

Their local union, IAFF 4409, also wanted to give back and decided to help those in the Lake Valley fire district who are unable to get to the grocery store, either due to age or quarantined due to health issues in their home.

LVFPD Engineer and Union President Matt Nerdahl said their captain on duty at their station on Golden Bear (Station 6) will be accepting requests from the community (in Lake Valley Fire's area for now) for groceries. Off-duty personnel will then go to the store, shop, and deliver to the person in need.

This process may change due to physical distancing and limiting exposure risks, but they wanted to get it started and let people know they are there.

Nerdahl said they are working on accepting cash donations for this project but that method is not in place yet.

What they are ready for though, is to help and are waiting on the first call.

For more information on getting help from LVFPD, contact the captain at 530.541.3591 Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. People may leave a message on that line if not answered.

The photo above is from the LVFPD annual Easter Egg Hunt which is canceled this year.