From the Orange County Asian American Bar Association

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year! As we close out the holiday season and head into the new year, we write to ask for your help to extend the season of giving and join forces to fight hunger among Asian American families in need. Despite the model minority stereotypes that all Asian Americans in Orange County are affluent, many actually live in poverty. Twelve percent of Asian Americans live below the poverty line. Several ethnic groups face higher than average poverty rates, including Thai Americans (20%), Vietnamese Americans (16%), and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (15%). In 2017, the Department of Housing and Urban Development found that Asian Americans had the largest increase (44%) of homelessness out of all ethnic groups. Language difficulties, fears about immigration status, and other cultural barriers inhibit many of these vulnerable Asian American families from requesting public assistance.

As we look forward to celebrating the Lunar New year on February 5, 2019, the Orange County Asian Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA) and the Orange County Asian American Bar Association (OCAABA) are partnering to provide 125 Asian American families in need with basic foods such as rice, baby food and formula, and canned proteins and vegetables. We are asking Asian American businesses and food providers in our community to provide monetary donations or donations of nonperishable food items. All proceeds will go towards food baskets to be distributed to 125 families in celebration of the Lunar New Year.

The Lunar New Year is traditionally a celebration of prosperity and health. With your generous donation*, we hope to help make that a reality for our families in need this year. Thank you for your consideration.

Best,

Jeannie Kim President, OCAABA

Mary Anne Foo, Executive Director, OCAPICA

*Please bring or send your tax-deductible donations to OCAPICA’s offices at the address listed below. OCAPICA will provide you with a tax deduction letter for both in-kind and monetary donations.

OCAPICA | 12912 Brookhurst Street, Ste. 410 | Garden Grove, CA 92840 | 714-636-9095 | www.ocapica.org