Nicole’s family was impacted by the wildfires. Food distributions and the Backpack Program help her family in the recovery process.

When we met Nicole at a recent food distribution at Washington Elementary School in Pasadena, her story captured the quiet resilience so many families across Los Angeles County are showing in the face of ongoing hardship.

Pasadena is one of many communities still recovering from the devastating Greater LA wildfires. While the flames are long gone, the impact on families like Nicole’s remains very real. Her niece, a bright third-grader, and her godson, an energetic first-grader, both attend Washington Elementary. Since the fires upended their lives, Nicole has stepped in to help her brother’s family rebuild—emotionally, financially, and day by day.

“Anything helps, especially now, with the holidays,” Nicole shared. “We were impacted because of the fires; my brother lost his job, my sister-in-law lost hers, and we are still trying to get our feet back to where they were.”

Like many families affected by disasters, the challenges didn’t end when the immediate crisis passed. Job losses, rising costs, and interruptions to federal assistance programs such as SNAP—exacerbated by the recent government shutdown—have made recovery even harder. For households with children, these pressures can quickly add up. 

Fortunately, the Food Bank has stepped in to support individuals and families when they need it most. Thanks to the generosity of the community, the Food Bank and its network of partner agencies continue to support families like Nicole’s. Consider supporting the Food Bank today and make a positive impact in your community.