DENA Relief Drive Hits Major Milestone in Community Support

The founder of The DENA Relief Drive, established in response to the Eaton Fire that burned through local neighborhoods, reported this week that it has distributed 400,000 pounds of essential items while providing critical resources to thousands of families, mobilizing over 1,800 volunteers and securing more than 75 partnerships with local businesses and organizations.

“The DENA Relief Drive is a testament to what we can accomplish when a community comes together,” said Brandon Lamar. “We’ve made a tremendous impact, but there is still more work to be done.”

Lamar said the initiative’s achievements reportedly include providing over 15,000 hot meals and securing more than $75,000 in gift cards for families facing hardship.

Additionally,the drive has supported 250 families with short-term housing assistance and distributed 150 new laptops and 700 pairs of new shoes through its Youth Resource Fair, according to Lamar.

Working alongside partners including Neighborhood Survants, Flintridge Center, Pasadena Church, Harambee Ministries, and many others, the drive continues its weekly operations every Saturday at the Pasadena Church East Campus at 425 N. Sierra Madre Villa Ave.

Lamar said that community members and organizations can make tax-deductible donations through www.zeffy.com/donation-form/dena-relief-drive or by contacting projectpassioninc@gmail.com.

The initiative operates under Project Passion, whose mission focuses on fostering collaboration and empowering communities through creating spaces for collective action and resource sharing.