Food pantry continues serving after fire damages church in Westmorland

WESTMORLAND, Calif. (KYMA) - Community in Westmorland came together on Thursay evening for a food distribution, following a fire on Sunday, May 17.

The fire broke out at an abandoned home adjacent to the Westmorland Presbyterian Church, destroying several rooms, including where food was stored for the community food pantry.

The church members, the Imperial Irrigation District (IID), and the Westmorland Elementary School worked together to make sure residents do not go hungry.

IID Division 1 Director Alex Cardenas said the support from the community has been overwhelming. He pointed to the resiliency of the people in the district, as recovery efforts continue.

"We are nonstop when it comes to delivering food boxes and it comes to addressing some of the food insecurity.,' Cardenas said.

"You know the Westmorland Food Pantry had a devastating fire here less than four or five days ago, and to see hundreds of people here this afternoon in about a hundred-degree weather, getting a box of food thanks to the volunteers is something that's special in the city of Westmorland," he exclaimed.

Cardenas was on the scene as the fire spread, explaining that the IID was there to turn the power off until it was safe.

'Number one, when you deal with a fire of this magnatude and the devastation, you know we have to shut the power off," he explained.

'I want to make sure we get the power back on as quickly and as safely as possible," he added.

The evening brought out volunteers of all ages, including 12-year-old Hunter Morgan, who came out with his grandmother to help.

"I just like to help out these people. I go to church here, and I just feel like I like to help out,' Morgan said.

As the church begins to rebuild, community support continues pouring in.