One of the many services LTSC provides is a food pantry to support the dietary preferences of our clients. Generally, mainstream food pantries do not offer foods familiar to many LTSC clients, especially the senior Asian population. Not only do we provide food to seniors but also low-income families in our buildings, which including many Latinx, Japanese, Korean and Asian Pacific Islanders. LTSC’s food pantry fills this need in our community by stocking personal hygiene products and non-perishable, easy to prepare food items, such as rice, dried noodles, beans, seaweed, soy sauce, sesame oil, teas, snacks and other ethnic or non-ethnic foods.

In partnership with Keiro, we launched the Little Tokyo Eats program in April ’20. Three times a week, meals were delivered to low-income seniors in Little Tokyo and the immediate downtown area. Meals were ordered from Little Tokyo restaurants (at full price) to support the local businesses. Keiro’s generous subsidy allowed the meals to cost $3 per meal for the seniors. Little Tokyo Eats program concluded on 6/30/21. Over the course of 65 weeks, 18,930 meals were delivered. 18 legacy restaurants in Little Tokyo received over $200,000 in capital infusion from this program.

Click here to view coverage of the Little Tokyo Eats program by Japan Hollywood Network!

We appreciate any monetary donations to our food pantry during this trying time so we can continue providing resources to those in need.

Food Pantry Donation

COVID-19 Relief Fund Donation

General LTSC Donation

LTSC assists people in Little Tokyo and the broader Southern California community. The social services department will continue to provide services to people in need. As of 6/15/21, in accordance with LA County Health guidelines, the following changes have been made. Please call (213) 473-3035 to contact the Social Services directly.

• We are now accepting in-person appointments. Please call in advance to make an appointment.
• We will provide services by phone, with follow-up by email and mail as necessary.
• Support groups, workshops and community presentations are being conducted virtually. We are currently making plans to resume in person events in the future.
• Far East Lounge classes are currently being offered online and and in-person at Terasaki Budokan. Please call FEL at (213) 621-4158 or visit www.ltsc.org/far-east-lounge/ for the latest scheduled activities.

LTSC provides affordable housing and resident services for families and individuals. LTSC Resident Services staff will continue to support the residents in our buildings and people in need in the surrounding areas. We are making the following adjustments in our services:

• All youth programming will resume in a hybrid format beginning Summer 2021. Youth will have the opportunity to engage in virtual learning opportunities with limited in-person programming. We will reassess Mi CASA after school programming for the new school year in the Fall.
• Tax preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) has concluded. VITA program will resume in January 2022. Resident financial workshops focused on budgeting, debt reduction, credit and eviction prevention will resume in late summer.
• Assistance to complete the Census 2020 survey will be provided by appointment only.
• We are accepting in-person appointments. Please call ahead to schedule an appointment with Resident Services staff.
• Families and individuals in need of assistance are encouraged to contact Resident Services staff via phone or email:
  • Nancy Alcaraz (213) 473-1626, nalcaraz@ltsc.orgcreate new email
  • Gilda Hernandez (213) 473-3024, ghernandez@ltsc.orgcreate new email

LTSC’s Angelina Preschool and Family Child Care Providers are still open and enrolling. Our Child Development programs are operating under current CDC and LA Department of Public Health guidelines.

For more information on how to enroll, visit our website or contact:

• • • Nicole Lopez (213) 473-1699, NLopez@LTSC.orgcreate new email

There is a lot of information out there regarding what small businesses can do in the midst of COVID-19. Our Small Business Assistance program has done its best to organize the available info into one document.

See our Small Business Resource Guide

Also, there is much that you can do to lend a hand to small businesses who are struggling during this unprecedented time.

• Follow your favorite Little Tokyo businesses on social media and order food from those who have delivery and online sales capacity.
• Encourage family and friends to purchase gifts in the form of gift cards from your favorite Little Tokyo establishments.
• Write a blog post on your website or social media about your love for small businesses.
• Leave reviews for your favorite small businesses.

Click here to read about LTSC’s Small Business work in the LA Times!

We ask our community to CALL their Los Angeles City Council member TODAY and ask that they adopt the Healthy LA platform.  Everyone’s well-being and our shared public health depend on everyone having housing, access to healthcare along with job and food security.

Learn about the Healthy LA Coalition 

• Councilmember Gil Cedillo, CD 1 – (213) 473-7001; gilbert.cedillo@lacity.orgcreate new email
• Councilmember Paul Krekorian, CD 2 – (213) 473.7002; councilmember.krekorian@lacity.orgcreate new email
• Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, CD 3 – (213) 473-7003; councilmember.blumenfield@lacity.orgcreate new email
• Councilmember David Ryu, CD 4 – (213) 473-7004; david.ryu@lacity.orgcreate new email
• Councilmember Paul Koretz, CD 5 – (213) 473-7004; paul.koretz@lacity.orgcreate new email
• Councilmember Nury Martinez, CD 6 – (213) 473-7006; councilmember.Martinez@lacity.orgcreate new email
• Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, CD 7 – (213) 473-7007; couniclmember.rodriguez@lacity.orgcreate new email
• Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, CD 8 – (213) 473-7008; councilmember.harris-dawson@lacity.orgcreate new email
• Councilmember Curren Price, CD 9 – (213) 473-7009; councilmember.price@lacity.orgcreate new email
• Councilmember Herb Wesson, CD 10 -(213) 473-7010; councilmember.wesson@lacity.orgcreate new email
• Councilmember Mike Bonin, CD 11 – (213) 473-7011; councilmember.bonin@lacity.orgcreate new email
• Councilmember John Lee, CD 12 – (213) 473-7012; councilmember.lee@lacity.orgcreate new email
• Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, CD 13 – (213) 473-7013; councilmember.ofarrell@lacity.orgcreate new email
• Councilmember Jose Huizar, CD 14 – (213) 473-7014; councilmember.huizar@lacity.orgcreate new email
• Councilmember Joe Buscaino, CD 15 – (213) 473-7015; councilmember.buscaino@lacity.orgcreate new email

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• County of Los Angeles Public Health
• California Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response

• 03/25/2020 – Rafu Shimpo:  LTSC Shares Update On Safety Measures During COVID-19 Pandemic
• 03/25/2020 – Rafu Shimpo: Love Little Tokyo: In Uncertain Times, Ways to Support J-Town 
• 03/26/2020 – LAist/KPCC: Little Tokyo Fights To Preserve Its Soul In Face of Coronavirus
• 03/26/2020 – Rafu Shimpo: Donations of Food, Supplies Needed for Little Tokyo Seniors
• 04/10/2020 – Los Angeles Times: To make ends meet, legacy restaurants are embracing social media (with some help)
• 04/12/2020 – Japan Hollywood Network: Support Little Tokyo リトル東京助け合い運動
• 04/26/2020 – Japan Hollywood Network: Small Business Support / 中小企業支援プログラム
• 04/28/2020 – Tokyo Broadcasting System: World特派員レポート　LA松本記者　リトル・トーキョーの底力opens VIDEO file
• 05/19/2020 – Brookings Institution: How Little Tokyo, Los Angeles is approaching community-led recovery through arts and culture
• 05/21/2020 – Rafu Shimo: LITTLE TOKYO EATS: DELIVERING MEALS FOR LOW-INCOME SENIORS STUCK INSIDE
• 06/23/2020 – Spectrum News 1: Little Tokyo Service Center Provides Resources to Local Restaurants to Keep Them Operating
• 07/25/2020 – Spectrum News 1: Outdoor Dining Options Not Enough to Sustain Restaurants
• 09/05/2020 – Rafu Shimp: THE ROAD BACK: WILL API SMALL BUSINESSES SURVIVE IN POST-COVID ERA? — CREATIVITY, COLLABORATION AND CRAFT: LTSC SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
• 10/05/2020 – NeighborWorks Capital: Little Tokyo Service Center Pivots To Help Its Residents And Community Meet New Challenges Of The Pandemic
• 10/13/2020 – CBS Los Angeles: Little Tokyo Service Center, SoCalGas Team Up With Local Restaurants To Deliver Meals To Seniors

Little Tokyo Service Center would like to thank the foundations, corporations, organizations and individuals that are supporting our services addressing the COVIID-19 crisis. We are humbled by your generosity and willingness to help those in need.

Agnes Hirai
Aileen Nishimura
Akemi Arakaki and Takao Suzuki
Alan and Yvonne Nishio
Alan Hino
Alayne Yonemoto
Alexander Nakagawa
Alina Nakano
Alison Fukushima
Allison Takido
Allison Yasukawa
Amber Skoien
Andrew Stranahan
Anna Truong
Anonymous
Ashley Mieko Honma
Ayaka Nakaji
Barbara Kim and Derek Li
Barton Brands
Bernice Chu
Beverly Ito
Billy Wing
Brandon Kitagawa
Brent Gutierrez
Brenton Inouye
Brianne Shishido
Brian Niiya and Karen Umemoto
Brienne Arroyo
Bruce Kawazoye
Bryan Hino
California Community Foundation
Candace and Kenneth Watase
Carlos Vasquez
Carolyn Iga
Catherine and Stuart Chuck
Cathie Nakasone
Centre Urban Real Estate Partners
Christine Lee and Denny Huang
Christopher Ono
Christy Sakamoto
Claire Kitayama
Clara Chiu
Community Power Fund of the Women’s Foundation California
Cory Hayashi
Cure Apparel, LLC
Cynthia Bartok
Danny Pampel
Dave and Terri Mitani and Family
David and Donna Uyehara
David Stranahan
Dawn Omori
Delcene Kuwata
Dennis Arguelles
Dennis Kobata and Jan Tokumaru
Derek Miranda
Diana Zheng
Dick and Pauline Kaku
Donna Nakashima
Duane and Joy Hirayama
Edna Ikeda Horiuchi
Edwin Takahashi
Elaine Nishizu
Elizabeth Bigelow
Ellen Morgan
Emiko Selapack
Emily Hertzberg
Emily Okada
Enrique Quintero
Erich Nakano and Sandra Viera
Erin Fukushima
Eri Yamagata
Ernest and Kiyo Doizaki
Eugene and Teresa Eng
Faye Gloriani
Gabrielle Civil
Gail Sharp
Gary Eto
Gavin Tachibana
Gayle and Craig Wong
Gene and Vickie Kanamori
George Takei
Glen and Chiae Kitayama
Glenn and Donna Sanada
Grateful Crane Ensemble
Grennie Uchida
Hideko Noriyuki
Hisako (Betty) Imamura
Hollie Lee
Hope Fang
Hyunmi An
Jaclyn Matsuura
JA Community Foundation
James Nakamura
Jan Fukuhara Dyck
Janice Osumi
Janice Tarumoto
Janke Family
Jean and Karl Kawakami
Jedsen Shiraki
Jeff and Reina Schaffer
Jeff Yonemura
Jennifer Fukunaga
Jennifer Sato
Jennifer Sato-Veloz
Jenny Huynh
Jeri Okamoto-Tanaka
JiST Cafe
Joanne Kakuda
Joan Stonehouse
John and Shirley Nakaki
John Fukushima
Joyce Nakashima
Joy Middo
JSL Foods
Judy Matsuzaki
Julia Shannon
Kang Dream Foundation
Karen Fukushima
Karen Wade
Karen Watanabe
Karen Yamamoto
Kat Hirayanagi
Kathleen Thurn
Kathryn Shinto
Kathy and Mark Masaoka
Kathy Pham
Kay and Nancy Oda
Keiko Kubo
Keiro
Kelleen Kikuchi
Kelley Lou
Kelly Hayashi
Kelly Takasu
Kelsey Iino
Kevin Endow
Kevin Oyama
Kimberly Kandel
Kimi Maru
Kira Teshima Conlon
Kirin Ichiban
Kirsten Grimm
Kris, Nick, Brent Kishi Federisy
Kris Mukai
Krista Marie Yu
Kristine Kuramitsu and Brian Nichols
Kyoko Bristow
Larry Katata
Laurie Nakano
Liem Hua
Lilan Bowden
Linda Fukunaga
Linda Okamura
Linda Taing
Little Tokyo Towers
Loreen Fujinami
Makoto Yamaguchi
Margaret Moy
Margaret Narumi
Maria Gao
Marie Umeda
Mariko Motoyama
Mari Nakano
Marisa Calice
Mark and Vivien Usui
Marsha and Gary Watanabe
Martin and Karen Tachiki
Masaki Ikebe
Masao and Peggy Kushigemachi
Maya Tuttle
May Iosotaluno
Mayumi Thrasher
Meals on Wheels
Melanie Morimoto
Michael Yap and Susan Moon Fund
Micki Fukushima & Families
Midori Dekura
Mikako and Ali Amini
Mike Okamura
Mikiko Haga
Mirei and Takumi Kagawa
Misaki Murai
Mission Tortillas
MUFG Union Bank
Myrna Ling
Nagako Sakamoto
Nancy Okubo
Naoko Ikeda
Natasha Suzuki
NeighborWorks
Nicole Murph
Nikki and Dylan Sutton
Noelle Ito
Noreen Shimano
OCO’s Walk the Farm
Office of Councilmember Jose Huizar
Oliver Lee
Pamela Sekiguchi
Paul and Ruth Kadota
Peggy Hara
Peggy Saika and Arthur Chen
PlayStation Cares
Rachel Michiko Whitney
Red Shell Foods
Remy De La Peza
Revolutionario Tacos
Richard and Kazuyo Onaha
Richard and Lynn Yoshizumi
Richard Kikuchi
Robert and Carol Watanabe
Robert Salinas
Robert Watanabe
Robia Pautler
Rod Nakamoto
Ron Baca
Rotary Club of Little Tokyo
Roy Sakamoto
Ryan Sakamoto
Sakura Kokumai
Samantha de Castro
Sandra Kealalio
Santa Monica Nikkei Hall Fund
Sarah Jin
SCCLA Cares
Sharon and Robin Nakazaki
Sharon Shin
Shinichiro Kawasaki
Sissy Trinh
Sonya Bishop
Stacey Suzuki
Stacie Taniguchi
Staci Toji
Stefanie Lau
Stephanie Chen
Stephen and Katherine Ikkanda
Susan Iida
Susan Kadota
Susan Maki
Suzy Katsuda
TaNoTa
Ted Akahori
The California Wellness Foundation
The Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation
The Eisner Foundation
The Umami Fund/Daniel Blinkoff and Tamlyn Tomita
Todd Odagawa
Tom and Carol Ono
Tory Shiroma
Toyoko and Yoshito Nakahara
Upper Crust Enterprises, Inc.
Van Nguyen
Veronica Ota
ViacomCBS
Vincent Huang
Vitasoy North America
Vivienne Lee
Wells Fargo
Westmont Corporation
William Ota
Yakult
Yoko Hozumi
Yoko Koyama
Yuhi Matsushita
Yuki Morita and Family
Yukio and Lilian Kawaratani
Yutaka and Sherri Kawazoye