Local businesses as well as national chains in the Los Angeles area are stepping up to help people affected by destructive fires destroying the area. Here’s where people can get support, from temporary housing to free food and shower facilities.
A place to rest and recharge
Planet Fitness told CBS MoneyWatch on Thursday that the gym chain is opening dozens of its Los Angeles clubs “to anyone affected” by the Los Angeles wildfires, including local residents and first responders. This means members and non-members affected by the fire can use Planet Fitness facilities, including showers, massage tools, Wi-Fi and electrical outlets free of charge. The offer is good through January 15, according to the company.
“Planet Fitness is opening its doors to displaced residents to provide them with basic necessities like showers and electricity, and first responders a place to help them feel supported and cared for between shifts,” the company said. in a statement.
Some Planet Fitness clubs are closed due to the fires, but the offer is valid at select locations that remain open for business. The following Planet Fitness centers will allow people to use their facilities in order to rest and recharge, according to the company.
- Buena Park, CA
- Chatsworth, CA
Chino, CA - Diamond Bar, CA
- Encino, CA
- Foothill Ranch, CA
- Fountain Valley, CA
- Fullerton, CA
- Garden Grove, CA
- Granada Hills, CA
- Huntington Beach (Goldenwest St.), CA
- Laguna Niguel, CA
- Lake Forest, CA
- Los Angeles (DTLA), CA
- Los Angeles (Mid City – W Washington), CA
- Los Angeles (Washington and Hoover), CA
- Northridge, CA
- Orange, CA
- Pomona, CA
- San Dimas, CA
- Santa Ana (E Edinger), CA
- Studio City, CA
- Tustin, CA
- Upland, CA
- Van Nuys, CA
- Beaumont, CA
- Bellflower, CA
- Buena Park, CA
- Corona (Grand Oaks), CA
- Corona, CA
- Cost Mesa, CA
- Covina, CA
- Fontana (Summit Ave), CA
- Hawaiian Gardens, CA
- Hemet, CA
- Lake Elsinore, CA
- Murrieta, CA
- Ontario (E 4th St), CA
- Perry, CA
- Rancho Cucamonga (Alta Loma), CA
- Rialto (S Riverside Ave), CA
- Rialto, CA
- Riverside (Tyler), CA
- Riverside, CA
- San Bernardino, CA
- Temecula (Winchester Rd), CA
- Carson (Lomita Blvd), CA
- Carson (Downtown), CA
- Cerritos, CA
- Compton, CA
- Downey, CA
- Hawthorne, CA
- Huntington Park, CA
- Inglewood (Imperial Hwy), CA
- Inglewood (Manchester Blvd), CA
- Long Beach (Cherry Ave), CA
- Long Beach (Downtown), CA
- Long Beach (Ave Ximeno), CA
- Los Angeles (Washington Blvd), CA
- Los Angeles (Wilmington Ave), CA
- Lynwood, CA
- Norwalk, CA
- Paramount, CA
- Santa Fe Springs (Telegraph Rd), CA
- South Gate, CA
- Torrance, CA
- Whittier (Washington Blvd), CA
- Hesperia (Bear Valley Rd), CA
- Hesperia, CA
- Moreno Valley, CA
- Oxnard, CA
- San Bernardino (S. Mt. Vernon), CA
- Ventura, CA
- Victorville, CA
- Lancaster, CA
- Palmdale, CA
- Santa Clarita, CA
- Simi Valley, CA
- Thousand Oaks (Westlake), CA
- Ontario, CA
- San Bernardino (E. Highlands and Sterling), CA
- Anaheim (West Katella Ave), CA
- Santa Ana, CA
Temporary housing
Airbnb.org, the charitable arm of the home rental company, is offering free temporary housing to residents who have been displaced or forced to evacuate their homes due to the fires.
The stays, which are funded by the organization as well as through donations from Airbnb hosts, are free to qualified guests. Many hosts waive the cost of accommodations entirely or offer them at a deep discount, in case of an emergency, through Airbnb.org.
Airbnb.org partners with 211 LA, which serves Los Angeles County. Complete this form on page 211 LA to apply for free emergency housing support.
To qualify for free housing, applicants must have been displaced from their physical homes due to the fires, must reside in an evacuation zone, have an Airbnb account and be 18 years of age or older.
Free food for first responders
Some restaurants and eateries are offering free meals to emergency personnel battling the fires, which have burned more than 45 square miles in and around Los Angles and placed approximately 179,000 people under evacuation orders.
Joe’s Pizza LA, which said on social media that all of its locations remain open, is offering free food to firefighters and first responders. On Facebook, burger chain Shake Shack said its Los Angles County locations that remain open are also offering first-timers a free burger through Sunday.
