The LA Regional Food Bank and CCNP Support People Like Alondra Flores When They Need It Most
The LA Regional Food Bank and CCNP Support People Like Alondra Flores When They Need It Most
Accidents are never planned. They arrive in the most unexpected moment and they alter daily life, short term and long term. Accidents can happen at any given moment, but the worst is right before a pandemic.
Such as the life of Alondra Flores.
A mother of three living with a total family of six, Flores depended on her job to help provide for her family. When she was in an accident that temporarily immobilized her, their lives changed.
With a tighter budget to work with, Flores and her family turned to Central City Neighborhood Partners (CCNP) for help, one of the 700 LA Regional Food Bank Partner Agencies. Initially, Flores was able to visit CCNP on a weekly basis to pick up meals for her kids and food for her family. But once she had surgery and was bedridden for six months, CCNP continued to help Flores and her family, providing the meals her family needed at a time she needed the help the most to the only persons who could pick up the food at the time – her underage children.
“It’s a place that is close to where I live; so, that’s why I really appreciate the support, because they could come and they didn’t deny [my children] food,” Flores said. “They had that support, their bags of food, their breakfasts.”
With Flores immobilized and her husband taking on the household’s financial responsibilities, there was one less thing the family had to worry about – food. A cart full of food put a smile on her kids’ faces, a sigh of relief on Flores’, and significantly less strain on her husband. Without the help of the Food Bank or CCNP, Flores is unsure of what would’ve happened in their time of need.
“I really don’t know how we would have gotten through it,” she said. “A family of six is a big thing, and the expense is pretty big. No one is prepared for an accident like that. Nobody really prepares for an accident.”
Before the pandemic, CCNP served 100-150 families weekly, but as of June 2021, that number has jumped to 500-600. CCNP has provided families with breakfast, lunch and after-school meal programs, serving meals to students throughout the pandemic.
“This support is not just for me; it’s for many people and for many children whose parents do not have sufficient resources to cope with the pandemic,” Flores said. “I am very happy and grateful to everyone, CCNP, organizations, and everyone who is supporting us in this situation.”
The Food Bank relies on the generosity of the community, so if you are in a position to donate, please do. Your donation will help families like the Flores’ who are struggling during these tough times.
More Stories from the LA Regional Food Bank
How Food Distributions Help Neighbors Like Elena Put Food on the Table
Rising grocery costs are hard on fixed incomes. Learn how Elena and others are gaining reliable access to food through the Food Bank.
How to Efficiently Find Free Food Near You
Beat the heat and learn how to find free food near you this summer using the LA Regional Food Bank’s Pantry Locator.
How This Free Food Distribution in Long Beach is Helping Feed Mario’s Family
Mario goes to Adventures to Dreams in Long Beach every third Friday to receive essential food items that help put food on his family’s table.
AB 660 Is Now In Effect: How California’s New Law Is Reducing Food Waste
Standardized “Best if Used by” and “Use by” labels are now required on packaged food. Learn what it means for you and for the fight against hunger.