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How the Extra Helpings Program is Getting More Food Out to Our Neighbors

How the Extra Helpings Program is Getting More Food Out to Our Neighbors

The Extra Helpings Program Redirected more than 28.3 million pounds of food in 2023.

In the early 2000s, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank created a program called Extra Helpings to redirect good, nutritious and healthy food away from landfills and into the stomachs of hungry children, families and older adults.

In 2023, thanks to over 500 food donors, the Extra Helpings Program ensured that more than 28.3 million pounds of food were redirected from landfills to stomachs by enabling 220 partner agencies to collect nutritious, perishable and prepared food directly from grocery stores and other local sources in their neighborhoods.

We Help Making a Difference in Its Communities

We Help, a Food Bank partner agency, works towards the same goal of alleviating hunger in their community in Long Beach. Together, the Food Bank and its partner agencies, like We Help, have been making a positive impact in the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals each month.

The Food Bank works with hundreds of partner agencies and meets their needs, as well as the needs of those seeking food assistance, every day. As the need grows in our communities, the Food Bank supports its partner agencies in various ways, whether it be through providing additional food or through agency capacity grants.

Through the Food Bank, We Help was able to start picking up food from its local Amazon Fresh store as part of the Extra Helpings Program. Because of the additional intake of food, We Help needed refrigeration. The Food Bank once again came in to offer refrigeration, including freezers and a refrigerated van that has supported We Help in the transportation and delivery of food to our neighbors.

Thanks to Food Bank supporters, we are able to continue the fight against hunger in Los Angeles County. Consider joining the fight by donating today.

More Stories from the LA Regional Food Bank

Baldwin Park Neighbors Find Nourishment and Hope Through Food Assistance

For families like Vanessa’s and Alexandria’s, food and nutrition assistance near them makes all the difference.

How Your Gift to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank Feeds Families Across LA County

The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has a high efficiency rate, making every dollar count in feeding our neighbors.

Hollywood Stars and Philanthropists Unite for the Fourth Annual “A Million Reasons” Event to Fight Food and Nutrition Insecurity Across Los Angeles County

The fourth Annual “A Million Reasons” was in full swing in the Hollywood Hills, which united more than 200 guests to help support the Food Bank.

Church of the Redeemer Brings Hope and Food Assistance to Its Neighbors

Church of the Redeemer, a Baldwin Park food pantry, serves hundreds of families looking for food assistance.

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