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Food Bank Fun

There are several amazing BBSA events throughout the year, but perhaps my favorite was BBSA Alumni Philanthropy Event. One rainy February morning, we ventured downtown to the Los Angeles Food Bank for the first ever all-belles philanthropy event. The LA Food Bank provides for those experiencing food insecurity, which is roughly 1.4 million Los Angeles County residents, many of whom are children, senior citizens, and families. BBSA is a philanthropic organization at heart, so it was great to have the opportunity to reflect upon our mission and have a hands-on experience with a direct impact on our community.

During the day, we sorted over 18,000lbs of apples and oranges to be distributed to elementary schools in underserved neighborhoods so they would have fresh fruit in their lunches. There are several things we often take granted in our everyday lives, so it was impactful and humbling experience to participate in the Food Bank’s efforts to ensure LA County residents have the basic necessity of food. This was also a great time to spend to time catch up with some of my closest friends, get to know more of the new baby belles whom I hadn’t met yet, and meet some of our incredible belles alumni (and gain some post-grad advice, too)!

Before joining BBSA my junior year, I felt somewhat disconnected from the UCLA campus culture. At that point, I was halfway through college, but I realized I wasn’t engaging with all the amazing student-run organizations UCLA prides itself on. Moreover, throughout high school, I had always been involved with consistent volunteering opportunities and realized that this was deficiency in my college experience. By sheer luck, I ran into one of my friends who was flyering for BBSA at the Enormous Activities Fair and she encouraged me to apply. I am so fortunate to have found BBSA and significantly change my second half college for the better.


The Alumni Philanthropy event was a not only a great way to be involved with our LA community, but it also made me reflect on my past two years in this organization. Before I joined, I couldn’t have imagined all the amazing friendships and experiences BBSA would give me, but now I can’t even imagine my college experience without it.

Gina Grainda

Distinguished Belle







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