A Food Pantry in the San Gabriel Valley is a Lifeline to Individuals in Need

Unexpected events have forced individuals to alter their lives and seek food assistance

During the pandemic, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank served hundreds of thousands of individuals and families who had never needed food assistance in their lives. And now, due to inflation, more families with multiple incomes are seeking food assistance in order to make ends meet.

The Food Bank recently attended a partner agency’s food distribution in the San Gabriel Valley where we met with the hundreds of families that this agency helps in a time of need.

Food Assistance for Unexpected Events

While there are events that one plans for, being in a car accident is not one of them, let alone, one that would take years to recover from.

Irene Mora wasn’t planning on retiring any time soon. Still, after being in a car accident where she suffered major fractures, brain injury, and years of physical therapy to walk, she had no other choice. Though still suffering from the effects of the accident, Mora makes the most out of everything, including the food she receives from her local food pantry.

Every Thursday, she volunteers at her local food pantry to help with set-up, then returns in the afternoon to receive the food assistance she and her husband need to make ends meet.

Julia Fahrer has had her share of unexpected events. After her husband of 52 years passed away, she was unfortunately scammed out of her life savings. A brain injury had her living in and out of nursing homes and hospitals for five years, and most recently, she was homeless for five long months while in a wheelchair.

Thanks to veterans’ housing programs, Fahrer now has a room to call home, but she is living penny to penny. Attending a local food pantry is a lifeline for her, as she does not have a set budget for groceries. Additionally, Fahrer underwent jaw surgery, so she does not have teeth, forcing her to blend her meals at the food pantry she attends for sustenance.

Nutritious Food for the Heart

After being implanted with a pacemaker, Yolanda Barbosa was recommended to live a healthier lifestyle, and with that, was put on a restricted, low-fat diet. With her husband as the only employed person in their household, Barbosa tries to help their budget by going to her local food pantry and looking for healthy and nutritious items that they may not be able to afford at the grocery store.

“Everything is expensive at the grocery store,” Barbosa said. “Any time you go, and say you have $20, you can only buy one thing.”

Thanks to the generosity of the community, the Food Bank is able to provide the equivalent of four meals per every $1 donated. 96% of all donations go directly to support programs like these. If you are in a position to do so, please consider donating to the Food Bank.

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