\t\t\tFor Lidia, food assistance is crucial as she goes through the loss of employment and a parent. Meanwhile, Rue is feeling the effects of inflation.<\/p>\n
There are different reasons why over one million individuals turn to the LA Regional Food Bank for assistance each month. Whether it\u2019s due to job loss, benefits depleting, or to supplement one\u2019s pantry, the Food Bank and its hundreds of partner agencies do their best to meet the needs of our neighbors with dignity and respect. Those seeking food assistance attend distributions not because they want to, but because they need to.<\/p>\n
Lidia: \u201cWe Need All the Help We Can Get\u201d<\/p>\n
During a recent drive-through distribution, the Food Bank met Lidia, who was unemployed, had lost her CalFresh benefits, and had recently lost her mother. The food assistance she received at that distribution would help feed her and her family of seven, providing crucial support when she needed it most.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a family of seven, so we need all the help we can get, so that\u2019s why I\u2019m here,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At the distribution, she picked up essentials like eggs, milk, chicken, and potatoes\u2014ingredients she could turn into nourishing meals like chicken soup to feed her family. Without that support, Lidia wouldn\u2019t know what she would do to put food on the table.<\/p>\n
Having a Job Doesn\u2019t Always Cover All Expenses<\/p>\n
Like many neighbors across Los Angeles County, Rue and his family are feeling the effects of inflation. While he has full-time employment, it\u2019s simply not enough to cover all expenses and needs in an ever-growing economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s expensive out here,\u201d Rue said. \u201cWherever you can get some help, it\u2019s very vital.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Rue, access to fresh produce made a meaningful difference. Vegetables like tomatoes and squash enabled preparing healthy meals, planning ahead, and ending the day feeling satisfied rather than stressed.<\/p>\n
Why Food Assistance Matters<\/p>\n
Lidia and Rue\u2019s experiences underscore a critical truth: food insecurity isn\u2019t always ongoing\u2014it\u2019s often sudden. Whether it\u2019s a delay in benefits, a seasonal expense, or a moment when costs outweigh income. If food assistance isn\u2019t available right away, it prevents families from falling deeper into crisis.<\/p>\n