Maria attends the Hollydale Park Mobile Food Pantry, helping her feed herself and her daughter, and staying frugal. 

With prices rising on everyday goods and services, rent, utilities, and transportation, many individuals are turning to frugality to make it to the end of the month. 

Maria, a retired mother, attended the Hollydale Park Mobile Food Pantry, hosted by the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, seeking food assistance for herself and her special needs daughter. Maria worked as a receptionist at an elementary school, but after her husband fell ill, she retired to take care of him and their daughter. Unfortunately, her husband passed away, and Maria fell into a deep depression, while still having to provide around-the-clock care for her daughter.

Her retirement check simply isn’t enough to cover all their costs, so she turns to local food pantries for assistance and makes food items go a long way. 

Maria is one of many individuals who have become frugal to make it to the end of the month. While frugality can be acceptable in some cases, some choose to skip medical visits or medications, or simply eat one meal a day, harming their overall health and well-being.

The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has been providing food assistance to LA County for over 50 years, helping hundreds of thousands of individuals and families put food on the table each month. Working alongside more than 600 partner agencies across the County, food assistance is closer than you think. If you or someone you know needs food assistance, please visit our Pantry Locator or call 2-1-1.