It’s Bigger Than Us Recognized for Rapid Response in LA Fires

When blazes sparked across Greater Los Angeles earlier this season, grassroots collective It’s Bigger Than Us wasted no time. The volunteer network sprang into action—delivering water, blankets and food to neighborhoods from downtown L.A. all the way up to Altadena. This week, The People’s Platform (@thesourcela) honored IBTU for that swift, lifesaving work at a ceremony in Sacramento.

Rapid Response To La Fires

As winds fanned flames in canyons and foothills, IBTU volunteers hit the road. Through community donations and collaborations with local businesses, they mobilized pallet loads of bottled water, nonperishable meals and emergency blankets. In one image shared by The People’s Platform, volunteers are shown loading crates into the back of a pickup truck—ready to roll out to evacuation shelters and front-line responders.

By tapping neighborhood block captains and door-to-door outreach, IBTU ensured aid reached households cut off by power outages and road closures. Key drop-off points included churches in Highland Park and family centers in Altadena, where organizers set up pop-up distribution hubs. According to the Instagram caption, “From the City to kinfolk in Altadena they stepped right in to fill needs.”

Recognition At The State Capitol

This week’s ceremony in Sacramento brought dozens of civic leaders together. Against the marble backdrop of the Capitol rotunda, The People’s Platform presented IBTU founder Jasmine Mahoney and lead coordinator Luis Soto with a framed commendation. A second image shows the pair accepting applause from State Assembly members, while another captures the group cheering with banners reading “Community Resources” and “IBTU.”

Assemblymember Maria Delgado praised the effort: “When disasters hit, local networks like It’s Bigger Than Us are often the first on scene. Their drive and compassion saved lives and eased suffering across Los Angeles County.” IBTU’s team stood proudly in branded T-shirts, the moment immortalized in photos that later circulated widely on social media.

A Rallying Cry: “we Can Accomplish Anything”

In her acceptance remarks, Mahoney quoted the caption shared by @thesourcela: “When we all come together, we can accomplish anything.” She went on to pledge expanded partnerships with faith groups, small businesses and youth organizations—aiming to build an even more robust rapid-response network for future emergencies.

Volunteers say the recognition is more than a trophy. It’s a call to keep growing. Soto added, “This honor reminds us that solidarity matters. We’re already planning training sessions on wildfire safety, evacuation protocols and community preparedness.”

Community Impact And Next Steps

Since its founding in 2021, It’s Bigger Than Us has tackled food insecurity, pandemic relief and neighborhood cleanups. The wildfire effort marks their biggest deployment to date. In total, the group logged more than 2,000 volunteer hours, helped evacuate 150 at-risk families, and delivered over 5,000 bottles of water to frontline neighborhoods.

Looking ahead, IBTU will host workshops on Saturday, July 20th, at Altadena Community Center. Topics include building emergency supply kits and mapping safe evacuation routes. The group encourages residents to sign up via its Instagram profile (@itsbiggerthanus_).

Support has poured in from local restaurants offering food donations and from civic leaders pledging meeting space for future training. As wildfires become an increasingly frequent threat, community-driven models like IBTU’s are proving essential.

From the Arroyos to the foothills, volunteers stand ready. And as their Sacramento commendation shows, when neighbors unite, they truly can accomplish anything.

Featured Image: Volunteers from It’s Bigger Than Us load relief supplies into a pickup truck during the wildfire response.

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Sakshi

 

Sakshi holds a bachelor’s degree in Science and a master’s in Bioinformatics from Panjab University, India. Her passion for writing engaging articles has led her to pursue a career in content writing since 2020. Sakshi has written in various niches, including health and wellness, fintech, blockchain, and lifestyle.

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