Coachella collects donations for undocumented children

The City of Coachella is collecting food, clothing, medicine and toys to help relocation centers and shelters cope with thousands of undocumented children who have fled Central America is recent weeks.

“This is a humanitarian crisis and we need to help these children by showing compassion, giving them relief and treating them with dignity,” said Coachella Mayor Pro Tem Steven Hernandez.

Local residents and businesses can bring donations of food, clothing and supplies to City Hall and to the fire station between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

City Hall is located at 1515 6th Street and the Riverside County Fire Department in Coachella is located at 1377 6th St.

Cash and checks are also being accepted. Checks can be made out to the nonprofit organization, ‘Raices’.

Hernandez said he’s been investigating the crisis in recent days and has learned that the federal government is not wanting to publicly disclose the charities that are providing assistance to immigrant relocation centers and shelters for fear of reprisals.

“What does it say about us, as a country, when the federal government is reluctant to identify charitable organizations that are responding to a humanitarian crisis?” Hernandez asked. “This is a humanitarian issue, not a political issue. We are collecting donations to help these children because it’s the right thing to do.”