Food banks across Southern California are stepping in to meet the surge in need for food assistance after the Trump administration announced last week that it would not tap emergency funds to keep food benefits afloat. Officials warned that benefits will run out at the end of October as the federal shutdown drags on. The Department of Agriculture has since confirmed that no benefits will be sent out on Nov. 1, prompting groups across the region to stock up in anticipation of the freeze.
California’s version of the federal SNAP program, known as CalFresh, provides food assistance to more than 1.5 million residents in L.A. County and 310,000 residents in Orange County, with many beneficiaries being children and older adults.
In response to this alarming situation, various organizations and food banks are mobilizing to provide support. Here is a compilation of resources available across different areas in Southern California:
Los Angeles County
- The Regional Food Bank partners with numerous food banks across L.A. County. For assistance, call 211 or visit their website for a full list of partners.
- The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation will offer free snack and dinner programs for youth, teens, and seniors. Locations are available online.
- The St. Charles Service Center, located at 10825 Moorpark St. in North Hollywood, operates a food pantry daily from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., excluding Mondays and Fridays.
- The Northeast Valley Health Corporation provides a mobile food pantry at 7223 Fair Ave. in Sun Valley on the first Friday of every month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Jewish Family Service LA runs two food pantries, one at 16439 Vanowen St., Van Nuys, and another at 8846 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. Clients should schedule visits online.
- Every student enrolled in Los Angeles Unified schools can receive free breakfast and lunch, with about 600 schools also offering supper for any child up to 18 years old Monday through Friday.
Los Angeles/Eastside
- The Centro Maravilla Service Center at 4716 E. Cesar Chavez Ave. is open to anyone in need on Mondays 2:30 to 4 p.m., Tuesdays 9:30 to 11 a.m., and 2:30 to 4 p.m., with additional hours on Thursdays and Fridays by appointment.
- The East LA Service Center at 133 N. Sunol Dr. distributes boxes of canned goods, chicken, and fresh produce, open Mondays and Tuesdays, and Thursdays by appointment.
- Designated Exceptional Service for Independence at 646 S. Atlantic Blvd. provides bags or boxes of food available to anyone in need with ID, open Wednesdays and Fridays.
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Church’s Food Program at 4018 Hammel St. offers canned goods on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 3 to 5 p.m.
- The East LA Bilingual S.D.A. Church at 700 Hoefner Ave. distributes canned goods and fresh produce on Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m.
- YMCA – Weingart East Los Angeles distributes food on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 to 11 a.m.
- Family Health Care Resources at 3444 Whittier Blvd. provides fresh fruit and vegetables on Fridays.
- Adventist Health White Memorial at 1720 E. Cesar Chavez Ave. offers nonperishable food Monday through Thursday and vouchers for seniors at the farmers market.
- White Memorial Church distributes food on the fourth Saturday of each month.
- Proyecto Pastoral distributes food at the Aliso Pico Recreation Center, with specific times for distribution throughout the week.
Orange County
- Orange County residents can call 211 for food resources and services, with a map of food resources accessible online.
- Catholic Charities of Orange County provides food resources every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to noon at their Santa Ana location.
- South County Outreach in Irvine runs a food pantry open Monday through Thursday, requiring simple identification for household members.
- The Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County collaborates with nearly 300 partners, offering food through nonprofit organizations, places of worship, and schools.
Long Beach
- Long Beach Unified schools provide free meals and access to food pantries at wellness centers throughout the school day for students and families.
- Christian Outreach in Action operates a food bank Monday through Friday with hot meals available daily.
- Long Beach Community Table has open hours for free food Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, with delivery options available upon application.
- Lutheran Social Services of Southern California offers food assistance five days a week at their Long Beach location.
- Long Beach City College and Cal State Long Beach students can access food assistance through designated on-campus resources.