Felipe and his wife Clara attend food distributions at Los Angeles Regional Food Bank partner agency Desert Reign Church in Downey

On a Wednesday morning, families and individuals in need of food and nutrition assistance began lining up well before the start time of the routine food distributions held at Desert Reign Church in Downey, a city located in Southeast Los Angeles County – 13 miles southeast of downtown LA and considered part of the Gateway Cities. 

One of the families in line waiting for a bit of financial reprieve in the form of food resources includes retiree and cancer survivor Felipe Murillo and his wife and caretaker, Clara. After Felipe endured eight surgeries, he is now fortunately cancer-free and especially mindful of healthy lifestyle choices. Nourishing food is the cornerstone of well-being, supporting physical health, mental clarity and overall vitality for all individuals and families, particularly older food-insecure adults.

Food-Insecure Older Adults are More Susceptible to Cognitive Decline >

“From vegetables to salads, protein; everything is provided here,” Felipe said. “These people work very hard so that we’re okay. When I say everyone, I mean the entire community. The food we get here helps us a lot because the majority of protein we consume comes from here. So when we go to the supermarket, we just buy what’s needed. The food quality is great, and we have a healthier life because we don’t have to worry much because we have saved money to pay for rent, electricity, gas, gasoline, car bill, car insurance.”

Joining the fight against hunger is an opportunity to make a profound difference in the lives of individuals and families in need, such as Felipe and Clara. Hunger is a pressing issue that affects millions of people and your involvement can bring hope, sustenance and positive change. 

By donating to hunger relief organizations or participating in initiatives to end food insecurity, you can be part of the solution. Your efforts, no matter how small, contribute to a brighter, more nourished future for those who are struggling. Together, we can create a world where hunger becomes history, and everyone has access to the nourishment they need to thrive. Join us in this vital initiative and be a catalyst for positive transformation.

“They give you a food box, we call it the miracle box because you put your hand in and you get everything,” Clara said.