In a time when the world has forced us apart, many organizations are stepping up to let those in need know that they’re not alone. One organization that has gone above and beyond at this time is the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
From individuals and families who are unexpectedly out of work to seniors who can no longer visit senior centers and children who are no longer able to enjoy free school lunches, food vulnerability has become a very serious problem for a shocking number of people in our county.
In a typical week, approximately 1 million pounds of food flows through the food bank’s warehouses. Now, in response to the growing need caused by the COVID-19 crisis, this volume has increased by more than 73%. At the end of March, they were feeding more than 2,500 families in a single week and this number continues to grow.
How Does the Food Bank Work?
The LA Regional Food Bank collects food in their two large warehouses, then distributes it to a network of 600 partner agencies. These agencies then deliver the food throughout the county. The food bank also delivers food through their Mobile Food Pantry program.
During this time of crisis, they’ve also initiated drive-thru distributions throughout LA county, which is helping to take some of the pressure off of the regular distribution centers. They’re also offering home deliveries to seniors, allowing them to stay safe while still getting the food supplies they need.
Anyone who needs assistance with food resources can visit the food bank’s pantry locator or call 211 for more information.
The LA Regional Food Bank’s directors and staff are working tirelessly to keep up with the demand and serve our community, and their efforts are not going unnoticed. However, they can’t do it alone.
Ways You Can Help
Many food suppliers who no longer have demand coming from restaurants are donating their excess goods to local food banks. However, even though the food bank is still receiving a steady flow of donations, the demand is currently outpacing their supplies. They’re having to purchase additional food to add to their supply of donated goods. The number of volunteers has also declined and they could use some help.
The food bank is considered an essential service, so they are still able to accept the help of volunteers. They do request that all volunteers are currently healthy and are not in a high-risk group that would make them more susceptible to contracting the virus. If you’re interested in donating some of your time, take a look at their volunteer page to learn more about how you can help.
You can also make a monetary donation on the food bank’s donation page. According to their website, a single $25 donation will purchase 100 meals for those in need!
We’re In This Together!
At The Haus, we’re thankful for all of the organizations and members of our community who are supporting one another as we navigate our way through this difficult time. If you’re able to lend your support to an organization or a neighbor, please do so, and, if you’re in need, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Remember, we’re all in this together!