Contributed

During the holidays, you may be seeking comfort, whether that’s the comfort of home -- or anywhere but home. With travel precautions making possibilities somewhat limited this year, you may not be able to take the exact trip you’ve been dreaming about.

Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) Community Resource Centers (CRCs) are giving back to families in need this holiday season by hosting contactless, pull-up and pick-up drive thru events, distributing free toy gift sets for children ages 3-12 years on December 18. Gift sets will include three toys per child and will vary depending on age.

The typical routine a school year brings has been lost this year, as students adjust to hybrid or fully remote learning models and ever-changing reopening plans. According to McKinsey, 75% of the 50 largest school districts in the country have decided to start remotely, and the UN estimates that 94% of the world’s student population has been impacted.

Millions of people nationwide face hunger every holiday season. And this year, the COVID-19 pandemic thrust even more Americans into this vulnerable position.

Governor Gavin Newsom today issued an executive order addressing a variety of issues in response to the pandemic, including extending the availability of housing for migrant agricultural workers, providing a 90-day extension on tax returns and tax payments for small businesses and updating Cal/OSHA requirements related to quarantine guidelines.