Rising grocery costs are hard on fixed incomes. Learn how Elena and others are gaining reliable access to food through the Food Bank.

As prices for essential items and groceries keep climbing, people living on a fixed income face hard choices every single month. Some may opt to skip meals in order to pay for an extra gallon of gas, a bill, or perhaps to catch up on their rent.

Elena’s story is one shared by thousands of neighbors, a fixed monthly income that simply doesn’t stretch far enough to cover the rising cost of groceries. As a mother, she prioritizes providing sufficient, nutritious meals for her growing daughter. Rather than skipping meals or sacrificing other essentials, Elena has found a reliable solution at Adventures to Dreams in Long Beach, a proud Los Angeles Regional Food Bank partner agency.

She comes to Adventures to Dreams to pick up items she can rarely afford on her own otherwise. By supplementing her budget with what the distribution provides, she can put the money she has toward whatever the food distribution can’t supply, creating a fuller, more balanced pantry than she could manage on her own.

More Than Food — A Sense of Support

For Elena, the distribution isn’t just about groceries. It’s about knowing there’s a community standing behind her. 

“I’m very thankful, it really helps us out,” Elena said. “We’re able to eat every day if we can.”

That gratitude reflects something the Food Bank hears again and again from the neighbors it serves: these distributions aren’t a luxury or an occasional bonus. For people on fixed incomes, or even multiple incomes, the difference is often between getting by and falling behind.

Partner distributions like the one at Adventures to Dreams play a critical role in that safety net. By providing consistent, reliable access to food, these distributions help prevent individuals from having to choose between paying rent and putting dinner on the table.

If you or someone you know could benefit from a food distribution, visit our Pantry Locator to find an agency closest to you. If you’re interested in joining the fight against hunger, consider making a donation or volunteering. Together, We Feed LA.