Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the LA Regional Food Bank has provided more than 6 million free meals to families in need. 1 in 4 people struggle with food insecurity due to job losses and economic uncertainty.
According to the national survey taken between March 19 to 24, 2020 it revealed that food insecurity was associated with concerns about the effect of the virus, on health, income, daily life, the economy, and the ability to feed one’s family.
To help reduce the stress brought on by the COVID-19 crisis, places of warships have become a major destination for food distributions. The LA Regional Food Bank in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s office, organized a free drive-thru food distribution at All Nations Church in Lake View Terrace on Wednesday, May 12.
Around 50 volunteers from the LA Conservation Corps assisted with loading the perishable foods inside residents vehicles. There was no eligibility required and participants were asked to stay in their vehicles while the volunteers handed out the boxes of food. Families left with three boxes of food, a box of Girl Scout cookies and N95 face masks.
Marketing and Communications Manager for LA Regional Food Bank, Victoria Lasavath said their drive-thru distributions have been serving 1,000 up to 7,500 households at each event organized.
“We are able to provide resources for those who are food insecure, specifically today in this area and we try not to make it anything but easy for people that need help to come out and get it, we respect and honor everyone's privacy and vulnerability they place themselves in when they are seeking help so there is no judgment,” Lasavath said. “If you need help there is food and we are here to help provide that.”
The line began at 8:30 a.m. and moved swiftly with 3 seperate rows of tents for vehicles to drive through.
Cile Borman is part of the outreach team with the All Nations Church and stopped by the food drive on Wednesday and said this is the third food drive the church has organized with the LA Regional Food Bank.
“I think it’s just wonderful,” Borman said. “They [All Nations Church] are so dedicated to giving back to the community.”
Lasavath said they provide around 70 to 80 pounds of food in each household for an average of four members. The food kits usually include rice, pasta, canned goods, in addition to a box of fresh produce.
“That’s just an overview, it typically is going to be that formula in every site, but each week it varies depending on what products are available,” Lasavath said. “We also want to make sure that we are distributing everything within the freshest time frame.”
For additional information on food resources including walk-up food distribution sites, visit covid19.lacounty.gov/food or call 211.