Pure and Evelyn, two retired neighbors in Baldwin Park, share a common reality with many older adults across Los Angeles County: life on a fixed income is getting harder. Rising prices for food, rent, and utilities stretch their monthly budgets to the breaking point. Despite years of hard work, they now find themselves making difficult choices, having to decide whether to pay for groceries, medications, or basic household bills.

Thankfully, they’ve found support through the Church of the Redeemer’s food pantry, which partners with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. At each food distribution, Pure and Evelyn receive nutritious groceries that help them stay afloat. For them, this assistance is more than just food; it’s peace of mind.

Why Food Assistance Matters for Older Adults

Older adults are especially vulnerable to food insecurity. Fixed incomes often don’t keep pace with inflation, and many seniors face rising medical expenses or the need to support extended family. This leaves little room for groceries, forcing impossible trade-offs between health and hunger.

Without proper nutrition, more senior adults risk increased disability, decreased resistance to infections, weakened immune systems, and declined mental health. Older adults must maintain a nutritious diet, as doctors often prescribe medicine, assuming that patients reach a healthy caloric intake threshold.

Related > Food-Insecure Older Adults are More Susceptible to Cognitive Decline

A Lifeline in Baldwin Park

For more than 30 years, Church of the Redeemer has stood as a beacon of hope, serving its community with compassion and dignity. With support from the Food Bank, what began as a small outreach effort has grown to serve hundreds of families each month.

The pantry’s work goes beyond providing food. It restores dignity and eases worry for people like Pure and Evelyn, allowing them to focus on living their lives without the constant fear of going without essential food resources.

How You Can Help

The stories of Pure and Evelyn highlight why it is crucial to support our neighbors, including older adults, through food assistance. By donating or volunteering, you can help ensure that seniors and other vulnerable neighbors throughout Los Angeles County have access to the nutritious food they need.