How a Food Box Helps Our Neighbors Make Ends Meet

fresh produce at the Church of the Redeemer Los Angeles County is one of the most dynamic regions in the world. Home to more than 10 million residents and boasting an economy that rivals entire nations, LA County is a powerhouse of industry and innovation. From Hollywood’s global influence and the bustling Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to its leadership in aerospace, tourism and hospitality, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing, the County is a powerhouse of industry and innovation.

Despite this economic strength, LA County also faces one of the nation’s most profound challenges: food and nutrition insecurity. An estimated two million of our neighbors, including children, older adults, individuals, and working families, struggle to access enough nutritious food each month. For many, the simple offering of a food box can provide stability, stretch a tight budget, and relieve the difficult trade-offs between rent, bills, and groceries.

Hear directly from some of our neighbors, who express their gratitude for everyone involved in helping ensure that food resources are distributed all year round across the County.

Martha has been a dedicated volunteer at the Church of the Redeemer Food Pantry in Baldwin Park for five years. She has witnessed firsthand how rising costs of food, rent, and essentials impact local families. She understands the struggle, as her own household also feels the effects.

While she gives her time to help others, Martha is also grateful when she can bring home a food box to support her own family.

Eugenia, who lives within walking distance of her senior home at RJC Foundation in Panorama City, visited the organization’s distribution for the first time when the Food Bank met her. She and her friend Vida were able to get fresh produce and other essential pantry items to help alleviate the financial burdens of living on a fixed income.

Eugenia was initially intrepid about seeking out food assistance; however, she was delighted to be greeted with open arms and kindness by the RJC Foundation and its team.

For Karina, a devoted mother of ten, putting food on the table isn’t always easy, especially at the start of each month, when resources run thin and the cost of living in Los Angeles County continues to rise. That’s when Karina turns to FISH of West Valley Community Resource Center, a vital partner agency of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, for support.

Without this support, Karina says, she would face difficult choices. “Without the help of FISH, it would be really difficult, and I’d have to find another job to compensate for the support I receive at FISH.”

Juan Jose is an older adult who receives benefits from the Food Bank’s Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) at his local park. As a retiree, Juan Jose’s fixed income doesn’t allow him much flexibility, especially cost-wise. “If these benefits were taken away, it would be a big problem, financially, because we don’t have any money,” Juan Jose told the Food Bank.

“I’m very grateful for the help that they give us, older adults, and may God bless,” he added.

Maricela and her husband are retired older adults who have to make ends meet with what they receive from retirement benefits, which forces them to be very careful with their budgets. Thankfully, Maricela attends grocery distributions at Food Bank partner International Families Association’s food pantry, where she is able to help offset some of the financial burden.

“Everything is expensive at the grocery store,” Maricela said. “I go with $100, and I come back home with just a small bag [of groceries], and there went my $100.”

Derrick was living on Skid Row with his mom and sister when he aged out of a shelter with nowhere to go or anything to eat. His friend told him about Covenant House, where he found nutrition, community, and opportunities to thrive. From that first meal, Derrick began to rebuild his life. He completed all three programs at Covenant House, found work, and saved up enough to move into his own apartment. Today, he’s helping other young people find their footing, offering hope, just as it was offered to him.

Living on a fixed income with health issues has not been easy for Gary, an older adult. While Gary doesn’t qualify to receive CalFresh benefits, the food he receives at St. James Episcopal will help him get through the week until it’s back to the food pantry to pick up another batch of food resources.

He shares that it helps him stretch what little he has and can save what he receives for rent and other expenses, thanks to the food resources he gets at St. James.

A few years ago, Paul was living on the streets of Skid Row. Not only was he homeless, but he was battling drug addiction, had suffered an aneurysm, and was diagnosed with cancer while grieving the recent loss of his mother. With so many hardships converging at once, Paul had reached rock bottom with nowhere to turn.

Paul began visiting the Fred Jordan Mission for food, where he was welcomed with meals, supplies, and encouragement. Over time, he found belonging, started volunteering, and discovered that the greatest reward was giving back to his community.

Chad and his parents lost the place they call home due to the Palisades fire. As the head of the household and sole provider to two disabled parents, Chad ushered his parents to safety, having to carry his mother down five flights of stairs with the help of a neighbor. Thanks to a collaboration with dozens of organizations and the Food Bank, Chad and others impacted by the fires in early 2025 attended a resource fair at SoFi Stadium, where they picked up an emergency food kit with ready-made quinoa, soup, fruit pouches, cereal, and water, as well as other essentials, including pillows, clothing, and more.

Despite their journey and their loss, Chad is grateful that he and his parents are alive and are receiving love, care and attention as they begin to rebuild their lives.

The Eaton fire in Altadena devastated thousands of structures, including the longtime family home of Julius and his wife. Their house had been in the family for nearly 50 years, and it was where Julius first met his wife when his sister lived next door, a home that was also lost in the fire. For the past decade, Julius, his wife, their daughter, and granddaughter had shared the home together.

When the flames came, Julius stayed behind in a desperate attempt to save the property, but the fire’s intensity and strong winds made it impossible. The family learned about the same resource fair at SoFi Stadium, where Chad picked up essentials for himself and his family. Julius attended, hoping to find support, and gratefully accepted food assistance to help them through this difficult time.

These are just some of the stories from neighbors whose lives are touched by your generosity of time, donations, and resources. Whether disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires, or the challenges families face every day, the LA Regional Food Bank and our partners remain here to support our communities because of the kindness of our volunteers, donors, and community partners. Together, #WeFeedLA.

How a Food Box Helps Our Neighbors Make Ends Meet

How a Food Box Helps Our Neighbors Make Ends Meet

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Martha, a Volunteer at the Church of the Redeemer Food Pantry, Provides Food Assistance to Neighbors and Her Family

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