Faces of the Food Bank: Juan

Juan, who will turn 69 years old in a few days, depends, like many other seniors in our community, on the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) distributions that are coordinated by the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. The Food Bank manages the largest distribution in the country, feeding 27,000 seniors a month.

Juan has been receiving a food kit each month at Lincoln Heights Senior Center, one of the 140 agency sites where the kits are distributed. Each kit weighs approximately 30 pounds and contains mostly shelf-stable items such as milk, beans, grains, and canned fruits and vegetables; food that will provide the nutrition to help seniors like Juan live a longer, healthier, higher quality of life.

“I cannot work anymore and the food I get sure helps me. Otherwise, I would go hungry,” Juan stated.

Juan enjoyed working as a cashier at a supermarket for many years, but now he is unable to work. Because of the high cost of housing in Los Angeles, he shares an apartment with two roommates in order to make rent. He says he would go hungry without the food he receives through the Food Bank. “I just want to say how grateful I am for the food that we receive,” he says.

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) program which serves seniors 60 years and older who meet income eligibility requirements. Visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/csfp/commodity-supplemental-food-program-csfp to learn more about the program and how to apply.