Individuals and Families Turn to Local Food Pantries In Order to Receive Crucial Food Assistance

Different, unexpected events may impact someone’s budget. Food shouldn’t have to be sacrificed. The Food Bank and local food pantries are here to help.
Life is full of surprises; while some are delightful, others can be profoundly challenging. Unexpected events such as sudden job loss, medical emergencies, or unforeseen home repairs can swiftly disrupt a household budget. 

For many individuals and families throughout Los Angeles County, these disruptions can lead to food insecurity, forcing tough choices between essentials like rent, utilities, and groceries. 

The LA Regional Food Bank and its partner agencies, like Word International in Eagle Rock, understand how these financial shocks can threaten access to nutritious meals. That’s why food resources are available to our neighbors throughout our County on our Pantry Locator. 

The Word International Food Pantry Helps People Like Erlinda

Erlinda, a food recipient at Word International, is among the hundreds of thousands of seniors who seek food assistance from the Food Bank and its partner agencies each month. Living on a fixed income, Erlinda can’t cover all the expenses, let alone the surprises life throws every now and then. 

When the Food Bank met Erlinda, she had recently experienced an unexpected cost. For three months, Erlinda says she paid nearly $300 each month on her water bill. Unable to get to the upstairs bathroom, she called a plumber who confirmed her greatest fear—a water leak. This leak would infringe on Erlinda’s already tight budget, as she would have to cover the cost of the repair service in addition to any other possible damage the leak could have caused to her home.

This incident left Erlinda with no other option than to seek food assistance from Word International and another food pantry nearby.

Individuals throughout our County face different situations and scenarios daily that put them in a difficult position. However, thanks to the hundreds of Food Bank partner agencies throughout LA County, food shouldn’t have to be sacrificed. If you or someone you know may need food assistance, please visit our Pantry Locator to find the nearest partner agency.

If you’re in a position to do so, consider making a donation to the Food Bank and helping our neighbors get the food assistance they need.