Local business owner holds drive-thru milk and cookies event to support Asian community

MARINA, Calif. (KION) A local business owner holds a drive-thru milk and cookies event in an attempt to spread awareness and support the Asian community.

Anti-Asian sentiments have been on the rise since the beginning of the pandemic and recently came to a traumatic head when a man went on a shooting rampage in Atlanta targeting Asian-owned spas.

According to Stop AAPI Hate, there have been nearly 3,800 anti-Asian incidents over the past year.

Annie Hobbs, the owner of A Taste of Elegance, is Chinese and says she fears for the safety of her elderly parents and loved ones. Despite all the hate, Hobbs says she wants to spread some positivity and provide a platform for people.

"The majority of people are good and they need an outlet to show their frustrations of the injustices and so that's all we're trying to do is give them an outlet," says Hobbs.

 A Seaside couple drove out the event to show their support.

"Hateful speech and actions should not be tolerated in our community so we're going to make sure our voices are heard by actions. By coming out and dropping off a card," says the Seaside resident.

Dorothy Maras, a friend, and colleague of Hobbs believes that this event is a demonstration of love.

"So, I wanted to show some support somehow and thought Annie did a brilliant thing here because cookies and milk go back to when we're in Kindergarten and it's like a show of love," says Maras.

Hobbs says this event is ultimately about the community.

"It's time that we stop being divided and we come together and whether it's the Asian community or the Monterey Community or the Black community, we are all people of this earth," says Hobbs.

Hobbs says she plans on sending the cards to Asian organizations to show support and encouragement.