PORTSMOUTH, Va. -- A few local organizations came together on Saturday afternoon to tell their neighbors, they are not alone during coronavirus pandemic.
They showed their support with essential items, including toilet paper, face masks, clothes and books, handed out during a drive-thru giveaway in front of the Social Services building in Portsmouth.
Members from Hampton Roads' Latino radio station La Selecta Radio, Hotel Kids and other volunteers handed the items out to people pulling up in their cars. The line of cars snaked around multiple parking lots and down High Street.
The giveaway was put together because the organizations told News 3 they saw their neighbors' needs and struggles -- the same struggles affecting residents throughout Hampton Roads and the United States as a result of the pandemic.
"In the good times and the bad times, we're going to be here and just joining the communities -- the Latino community with the urban communities,” Luis Cortes, the owner and CEO of La Selecta Radio, said. “We're trying to unite all the communities as one and say, ‘Hey, this COVID-19 is affecting all communities, not just one community.’”
Cortes was among the several volunteers handing out items to people in their cars. He said the items were donated from local charities and community members.
The organizations said they plan to schedule future giveaways on the Peninsula and the Eastern Shore. More information, dates, and times of future giveaways can be found on La Selecta Radio’s website.
