The Downey Council PTA H.E.L.P.S. program is run completely by volunteers. The office is manned by PTA members. PTA's schools, the City of downey, Community Oraganizations, Businesses and Individual Citizens offer their support throughout the year. Their generous donations of financial aid, non-perishable foods and Christmas gifts are greatly appreciated. the program is possible due to the dedication of these people.

Emergency (blue) Referral Forms can be obtained at your school's office or in the Community Services Department at the Downey City Hall, located on Brookshire Avenue. Our clients must live in the CIty of Downey or have a student(s) in the Downey Unified School District. Our purpose is to provide temporary emergency aid. Emergency Food is distributed throughout the year (click on the link below to view food distribution details). Approximately 600 families are helped. Non-perishable food staples and bread are provided. Any one household can be helped once every other month.

A complete Thanksgiving dinner, consisting of a gift certificate to a local market, canned vegetables, bread, etc. is made available for families registered by the deadline date.

Each Christmas, 300 families are provided food to ensure a happy holiday. Gifts are given to every child age 17 and under.

Beginning in 1948, the Dental Program has been a continual health service. Community dentists volunteer their time and expertise to annually provide dental checks for students in grades 1, 3 and 5. The H.E.L.P.S. program provides toothbrushes.

Also, to encourage a drug and alcohol free graduation, the H.E.L.P.S. supports High School Grad Night celebrations.

For more information about H.E.L.P.S.
call (562)861-9833
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Health Education Local Pantry Service is a community program staffed by volunteers who donate their time and energy to assist people in need. This program is organized and run by volunteers, many who simultaneously serve on individual school boards.

The H.E.L.P.S. program provides food staples to residents of Downey and to families whose children attend Downey schools. Clients are assisted every other month and given special baskets of food as well as gifts for the children at Thanksgiving and Christmas. H.E.L.P.S. also contributes financially to subsidize health programs within Downey schools including: dental screening, Red Ribbon Week (drug awareness), Grad Night, and G.O.O.D. (Gangs Out of Downey).

Applicants to the program are referred by Downey Unified School District or through Community Services at City Hall.

H.E.L.P.S. was formerly Downey Thrift Shop. This community pantry stocks its shelves with donations from community organizations, churches, and individual citizens. Annual food drives at the schools of Downey Unified School District are a primary source of donations. Old River School PTA will be sponsoring a food drive in the spring. Please lend a helping hand for this worthy cause.

The H.E.L.P.S. Room is located at Apollo Park within the Downey Community/Senior Citizens Center. Office hours are: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday and Friday.