The Food Bank partner agency in Monrovia helps families from all walks of life get the food assistance they need

Although the inflation rate may not be rising, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate is still up 3.7 percent from just a year ago. Families continue to struggle to make ends meet, cutting and readjusting their household budget wherever they can, which in many cases includes food. 

The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and its partner agencies are seeing more families coming through the lines in search of food assistance that will help stretch their budgets. The Foothill Unity Center in Monrovia is one of the partner agencies where the Food Bank met a couple of clients that, without food assistance, may not know where their next meal is coming from.

When It Rains, It Pours

The 2022-2023 rain season may have been one for the books in California, however, rain isn’t always good news to some families. Maria Leon’s husband’s employment depends on weather conditions – if it rains, there’s no work for the day, meaning a loss of income for her family, and perhaps thousands of other families who have similar jobs. 

With rain affecting the Southland since last November, Leon’s family’s income was greatly affected, so much so that the family had to move to a smaller, more affordable home. Because Leon stays home to care for her young son, she sought food assistance to help her husband, as she saw the grocery budget getting smaller and smaller. She found help at the Foothill Unity Center, luckily, just one block away from their new place.

A Food Pantry to Maximize this Veteran’s Grocery Budget

From the pandemic to inflation, people from all walks of life, employed and unemployed, sought food assistance for the first time in their lives. While life got harder for even multi-income households, retirees were impacted greatly as the cost of everyday necessities grew, but their fixed income did not.

Navy veteran Robert has attended the food distribution at Foothill Unity Center for a few years now to help maximize his household budget. Thanks to the support he’s received at the Center, Robert can prepare delicious, healthy meals to help control his high blood pressure, while also helping his wallet.

Related Story: Foothill Unity Nursing Professor/Impact of Food Insecurity on Health

The Food Bank relies on generous donations from the community to support programs like the one available at Foothill Unity Center. If you are in a position to do so, please donate to the Food Bank today.