EL MONTE, Calif. (KABC) — Economic pressure, increasing food prices and shifting federal funding are making it difficult for many families in Southern California to put food on the table.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is working to address that need.<\/p>\n
Click here to donate<\/a> or text “FEEDSOCAL” to 41444<\/p>\n The food bank held a drive-through food distribution Wednesday in El Monte.<\/p>\n Organizers said they expected to feed upwards of 2,000 families in urgent need of meals.<\/p>\n What looked like a traffic jam, stretching back as far as the eye could see, was actually people lining up just to get food.<\/p>\n “I come to take food,” one woman said. “(This) situation is hard.”<\/p>\n NEED HELP? Where to find free food and resources in Southern California<\/a><\/p>\n San Gabriel Valley families we spoke to said they were grateful for the much-needed help.<\/p>\n “It’s really emotional to see all these people asking for help,” said Olivia Cervantes, who works with the food bank.<\/p>\n Each family received a 35-pound box, filled with fresh produce, orange, cabbages, and a box of shelf-stable items, along with chicken.<\/p>\n Los Angeles County board supervisor Hilda Solis partnered with the food bank to host this large-scale food giveaway.<\/p>\n While the distribution began at 9 a.m., Solis said people began lining up at 5 a.m.<\/p>\n “People are really hurting,” Solis acknowledged. “I have set aside a million dollars to work with the LA Regional Food Bank to help provide this assistance today.”<\/p>\n By the time the food distribution ended at noon, hundreds of cars had been seen by food bank employees and volunteers.<\/p>\n Our 15th annual ABC7 Feed SoCal Food Drive<\/a> is underway now.<\/p>\n