Lydia volunteers at the Word International food pantry in Eagle Rock, helping feed hundreds of families each week.

Volunteers are the backbone of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and its partner agencies, playing a crucial role in our mission to combat hunger across Los Angeles County. Every day, dedicated individuals give their time and energy to help glean, sort, pack, and distribute food to our neighbors, ensuring that nutritious meals reach the tables of families facing food insecurity. In 2023 alone, over 21,000 volunteers donated their time to the Food Bank. Their unwavering commitment and generosity bolster our operations and foster a sense of community and solidarity. 

Volunteers, like those we found at Word International in Eagle Rock, are essential in providing food and household essentials to our neighbors when they need them most.

Volunteering As a Form of Compassion

For the past five years, Lydia has been volunteering every Wednesday, helping distribute food at the Word International food pantry in Eagle Rock. When she volunteers, Lydia meets around 400 individuals each week, each with a different story or reason to seek food assistance. But regardless of their story, Lydia treats each one with love, respect and compassion. 

Volunteering helps Lydia feel fulfilled, as she sees the need in the community being met by the food distribution.