Some Hunger Facts.
- Over 400,000 children in Los Angeles County live in some degree of hunger.
- Seniors in Los Angeles living on fixed incomes often face the decision of buy medicine or groceries.
- LA county's population is 10,000,000 and is estimated to reach 11,000,000 by 2020. This will cause new challenges in the fight against hunger.
About the SOVA Food Bank
At SOVA's three comprehensive service centers in the Los Angeles area, we offer:
Food Pantry: Each pantry is staffed by a manager, an assistant manager and trained volunteers. The sites are colorful, welcoming and comfortable environments, where priority is placed on respecting the dignity and individuality of all who seek our help. Pantries are stocked with high quality, nutritious canned and packaged foods, bakery products and fresh produce. The pantry provides a 5 day supply of free groceries and personal hygiene products (when needed) for each family member.
Resource Center: Within each JFS/SOVA food pantry facility is a Resource Center. The Resource Center’s professional staff and para-professional volunteers provide information and referral to other community services and help people find solutions to other challenges. Examples of referrals include shelter, free medical services, free vision care, homeless services, clothing resources, employment, senior services and child care.
Community Connections: In addition, through the expanded Community Connections “one stop” project, community specialists provide services on-site on a regular basis. Currently those services include free legal counseling, job counseling, food stamp enrollment, Medi-Cal enrollment, and assistance with utility bills.
Counseling/Case Management: JFS social workers are on-site at the three pantries to provide short-term counseling, case management, and "navigation" of other systems to link with essential social services and community resources.
Children’s Corner: Each site also features a Children’s Corner, where children can enjoy books while waiting, and then select a few books to take home to create their own libraries.
Food Pantry: Each pantry is staffed by a manager, an assistant manager and trained volunteers. The sites are colorful, welcoming and comfortable environments, where priority is placed on respecting the dignity and individuality of all who seek our help. Pantries are stocked with high quality, nutritious canned and packaged foods, bakery products and fresh produce. The pantry provides a 5 day supply of free groceries and personal hygiene products (when needed) for each family member.
Resource Center: Within each JFS/SOVA food pantry facility is a Resource Center. The Resource Center’s professional staff and para-professional volunteers provide information and referral to other community services and help people find solutions to other challenges. Examples of referrals include shelter, free medical services, free vision care, homeless services, clothing resources, employment, senior services and child care.
Community Connections: In addition, through the expanded Community Connections “one stop” project, community specialists provide services on-site on a regular basis. Currently those services include free legal counseling, job counseling, food stamp enrollment, Medi-Cal enrollment, and assistance with utility bills.
Counseling/Case Management: JFS social workers are on-site at the three pantries to provide short-term counseling, case management, and "navigation" of other systems to link with essential social services and community resources.
Children’s Corner: Each site also features a Children’s Corner, where children can enjoy books while waiting, and then select a few books to take home to create their own libraries.
WITH CONTINUED HIGH LOCAL UNEMPLOYMENT AND MORE ANTICIPATED BUDGET CUTS, WE EXPECT DEMAND FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE WILL REMAIN HIGH THROUGHOUT 2012 AND BEYOND.
With the unemployment rate close to 12 percent in Los Angeles County, the demand for food assistance continues to increase. In 2011 the Greater Los Angeles food bank distributed 60 million pounds of food to over one million individuals in Los Angeles County, but more resources are needed to meet the demand for food assistance. Food Bank’s distribution volume has increased by more than 70 percent over the past four years at the same time demand at our food pantry agency partner sites has risen by 73 percent.
Over the last year, the Food Bank experienced reductions in both food and funds from government sources, specifically from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) and the FEMA Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP). While cash donations from individuals, foundations, businesses and the community grew to more than $9 million in 2011, this record amount of fundraising falls short of filling the gap required with the other cutbacks.
Without an improvement in local employment, the demand for food assistance will remain high for the foreseeable future. The Food Bank is appealing for increased financial contributions to acquire additional food. For every $1 donated, the Food Bank acquires and distributes 4 meals. Support of the Food Bank and the 640 charitable agencies that we serve is critical to sustain and attempt to meet the demand for food assistance in 2012. Everyone can do something to fight hunger – donate funds or food, volunteer or advocate for policies that will reduce hunger.
