This past month Family Promise of the Verdugos held its annual Holiday Party, however, for safety purposes we converted this project into a Holiday Gift Distribution Drive-Thru event. Over 100 families who are living in our shelter program or rapid rehousing apartment units were treated to a wonderful holiday season because of our generous partners.

Our families came by the site of our event, Burbank First United Methodist Church, to pick up their gifts and a hot meal. The event was unlike years past because we had so many families in great need... but, the response from our partners throughout the region was astronomical. Unfortunately, our region continues to deal with negative effects caused by the pandemic. Although many of our families are back to work this year, many families just can't catch a break. The costs of food, gas, and housing have risen and many of our families especially those that are single parents are having a difficult time achieving financial stability. Thus, all our generous partners who reached out to adopt families or coordinate toy drives have been a blessing to so many.

Special thanks to the Walt Disney Company who stepped up this year and adopted 80 families. Disney VoluntEARS volunteers their time helping our staff load the trunks of the families' vehicles and pass out dinner. Other organizations making an impact this season included Nickelodeon, Revolution Entertainment Services, City of Burbank's (various City departments), CBRE, SoCalGas, Glendale City Church, Tequilas Burbank, Barragan's Mexican Restaurant, Romancing the Bean, Keller Williams World Media Center, UMe Federal Credit Union, Morrison Burbank, Judie Wilke, Lacey Farris family, Burbank Chamber of Commerce, Over Under Public House, Chili John's, and many more.