The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has seen a 9% increase in demand this year, in part because of the continued rise in prices of everyday goods and services, and the end of the CalFresh Emergency Allotment and Summer-EBT resources. And now, with the entertainment and hospitality industries on strike, the demand for food assistance will only continue to rise.

RELATED: Demand at Food Pantries Rise

The North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry in Studio City is one of the Food Bank’s partner agencies throughout Los Angeles County that are helping individuals and families that are affected by the strikes, or that simply need food assistance in order to get through the month.

When Hunger Strikes

The Food Bank recently attended the food distribution at the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry. As the summer sun rose early in the morning, food recipients drove or walked up to the pantry in search of the food that will help pay rent, and bills, or help them feed their families. 

Recently, the Food Pantry moved to its location in Studio City, moving to a facility that is three times the size of its previous location, allowing them to store more food and product, and in turn, serve more individuals in need, just like what the Food Bank’s City of Industry Distribution Center will help do for the entire County.

The Food Pantry puts together food packets for those that are housed and unhoused, and distributes them every Monday, with no requirements whatsoever. With an ever-changing workforce, this Food Pantry understands that the need for food assistance is year-round.

Providing Food Assistance to a Recent Retiree

Early Monday morning, hundreds of other individuals and families seeking food assistance, including Maria Lopez, head to the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry to seek the food assistance that will help them pay a bill, or provide healthy options that otherwise they can’t afford at the grocery store.

For Lopez, it’s a bit of both. Lopez is recently retired, and she’s learning how to make the most out of her retirement check. At home, she’s in charge of paying rent, gas, and water. With what she receives, she separates what she needs for bills, and sees how much she has left for groceries and other necessities, not leaving much left over.

Our neighbors need your help. If you are in a position to do so, please consider donating to the Food Bank.