The LA Regional Food Bank, ABC7, Stater Bros., and other Southern California regional food banks hosted the 12th Annual Feed SoCal Food Drive

The 12th Feed SoCal initiative kicked off and lasted through June. Throughout the campaign, hunger-relief advocates were encouraged to support the cause, helping Southern California food banks, including the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

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This year, the demand for food assistance is exceptionally high due to the expiration of CalFresh emergency allotments and the ongoing impacts of inflation.

According to a recent USC Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research survey, nearly 37% of low-income Angelenos experienced food insecurity in 2022. This figure represents a ten percentage point increase from 2018 and just 5 points shy of the early pandemic rate of 42% in 2020.

Many low-income families are still struggling to recover from the economic impact of the pandemic and the inflationary cycle of the past two years, making it difficult for them to afford healthy food options.

To help tackle growing food insecurity in our communities, the Feed SoCal collaborative event aims to help raise awareness and support for the estimated two million individuals, children, older adults and families who face food insecurity. 

ABC7 and event partners organized collection days where supporters could drop off non-perishable food items at their local Subaru Retailer or individuals had the option to donate during checkout at Stater Bros. Markets. 

The Food Bank was presented with donations from invaluable partners at the Food Bank, including Stater Bros, Subaru, Helpful Honda and Don Lee Farms and UCLA Health Kidney Core.

Hunger Doesn’t Take a Break

Food-insecure children receive up to two meals a day during the school year. When the summer months arrive, these children and their families face the harsh realities of not knowing where their next meal will come from. With the community’s support and participation, events like Feed SoCal help the Food Bank and our partner agencies help ensure that food-insecure children have healthy meals during the summer months and beyond.

This year’s event raised more than $40,000 and more than 5,316 pounds of food. These resources will help provide nutritious meals to the 2 million food-insecure families and individuals of LA County, including children.