Sikh temple members in the Inland Empire and Covina came together to prepare and distribute more than 200 free meals to victims of the Eaton fire.

Members of the Riverside Sikh Temple in Jurupa Valley and the Sikh Community Gurdwara in Covina gathered Thursday, Feb. 6, in Covina to cook and pack the food before hauling it to Altadena.

The wildfire, which destroyed thousands of homes in the Pasadena and Altadena areas, was one of several large blazes that burned in January.

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Kuldip Singh and Amritpal Singh pack rice and chickpea curry for victims of the Eaton fire on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Covina. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)

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Volunteers cooked dishes such as rice and chickpea curry, packed it in foam boxes and then inside cardboard boxes for distribution.

“During times of disaster, everyone wants to help out, and the Sikh communities want to give back to their fellow Americans during tough times,” said Amar Singh, founder of Turbans 4 Australia, which helped organize the effort.

This isn’t the first time the Inland-area Sikh community has stepped up to assist others.

In 2020, the Jurupa Valley temple held a drive-thru food bank during the coronavirus pandemic for those facing hardships.

“It’s part of the Sikh tradition — we provide free food for the congregation, but the essence behind that is to help anyone in need. That’s how free food started in our faith,” Singh said.

“A hot meal can go a long way to comfort someone and show generosity,” he added.


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