At the Baldwin Park Bilingual Seventh-day Adventist Church, a partner of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, neighbors regularly attend food distributions that provide more than just groceries, they provide relief, dignity, and hope. For families like Vanessa’s and Alexandria’s, these events make all the difference.

Vanessa: Providing for Her Baby Amid Rising Costs

Providing for her baby has proven to be one of Vanessa’s greatest challenges. With work that is sometimes unreliable, there are weeks when she and her husband cannot afford food. 

For her family, attending distributions at the Baldwin Park SDA Church means being able to put nutritious food on the table, ensuring their baby’s cries from hunger don’t go unanswered. Even during times when work is steady, the high cost of living in LA County leaves their budget stretched thin. The support they receive from the church’s food pantry helps close the gap, ensuring they can focus on raising their baby without the constant stress of food and nutrition insecurity.

“You never know what someone is going through,” Vanessa shares.

Alexandria: Nourishment for Her Growing Family

Alexandria, another neighbor who attends the food distribution, emphasizes just how critical the support is for her household. “With the economy and everything, it’s really helpful,” she says.

As a mother of a six-year-old, Alexandria looks forward to receiving fresh produce, grains, and other essential items. These groceries help her prepare home-cooked meals that are healthier, more affordable, and more satisfying for her family. “Having a home-cooked meal over eating out anytime, which helps you feel and sleep better, and my kids are happier. You guys are helping out families so much, and it makes a huge difference in a whole family’s life,” she explains.

For parents like Alexandria, the ability to provide nutritious meals at home is invaluable. It strengthens family bonds and supports the well-being of her growing child.

Related > Addressing Food Insecurity and Child Hunger in LA County

A Community United Against Hunger

The stories of Vanessa and Alexandria reflect the experiences of countless families and individuals across Los Angeles County who turn to the Food Bank and its network of 600+ partner agencies. Together, these partnerships ensure that neighbors can access healthy food and essential nutrition despite rising costs, unstable work, or other challenges.

Thanks to community support and generous donors and volunteers, the Baldwin Park SDA Church and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank continue to provide critical resources for families and individuals. They prove that when neighbors come together, no one has to face hunger alone.