Los Angeles County expands its food programs for low-income and elderly families.
Since orders to stay home were expanded to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, thousands of people are looking for options to sustain themselves for the duration of the pandemic.
Food becomes one of the most important expenses, since homes currently have from children who cannot go to school, parents who were rested or dismissed and / or elderly people who cannot go to senior centers where they usually receive their food.
For this reason, Los Angeles County, through Workforce Development Aging and Community Services (WDACS), like many other entities, is significantly increasing its assistance to provide food to families in need.
WDACS currently has two programs: Food Pantries for Families and Food Deliveries for Seniors.
Food pantries
Sandra González, director of the WDACS East Los Angeles Service Center, said the emergency food pantry program has been around for 30 years, but after the coronavirus pandemic, pantries have had to be significantly increased.
"In a typical week, before the crisis, we ordered around 10,000 pounds of food," said González. "As a result of what is happening, we are now ordering 40,000 to 50,000 pounds of food every two weeks."
The Food Bank sends all food to the East LA service center and then distributes it to the eight Los Angeles County centers.
Gonzalez added that prior to the coronavirus, needy families would pick up a bag of groceries, about 15 to 20 pounds, once a month. This was an added supplement to families' food purchases. But the need after the loss of jobs and entire families at home, leads to the need for more food at home.
"Now the food bank is preparing what they call emergency food aid kits, 34 to 36 pounds, with staples like rice pasta, canned meat, spaghetti sauce, fruits and vegetables," said Gonzalez. "We are distributing them three times a week and a family can come twice a month, but only by appointment."
The director added that this food limit is to help a greater number of families and if some people need more food during the month, they are given information about other places where they donate food.
González stressed that anyone in need can benefit from this food pantry. They only need to provide information such as name, date of birth and zip code. No social security number or proof of income is requested to apply for food.
People can call 211 to find their closest location or (323) 260-2801, which is the location in downtown East Los Angeles.
Help for the elderly
Older people have also been severely affected because senior centers are closed. For many this was their place of distraction and receiving their hot food.
However, the WDACS Elderly Nutrition Program (ENP) is ensuring that the longest-serving members are not left without this vital help.
Miguel Robleto, human services administrator in the WDACS aging division, said the program offers food through 18 service providers in Los Angeles County. The goal is to assist people aged 60 and over, either by providing food in the elderly centers or by bringing the most fragile to the home.
"However, due to the circumstances, we have modified these methods of food to be picked up by car or to be delivered to your home," said Robleto
The administrator added that they are asking the elderly to have younger relatives who can pick up the food for them, to do so. They should only get to the senior center where their relative meets and they have to say on whose behalf they are going. There they are given 5 to 7 foods so that the elderly have food all week.
Robleto said that each year the Senior Food Program feeds approximately 30,000 seniors at distribution centers such as community centers and senior centers; an additional 5,000 older people benefit from home food delivery programs.
"We do not have exact numbers of how much the number of orders has increased, but each of our (18) agencies has told us that they have increased from 100 to 500 more clients," said Robleto.
If you or someone you know is a person over the age of 60 and wants to be part of this food program, you can call 1-800-510-2020. No income or immigration status information is requested.
You can also get more information here: https://wdacs.lacounty.gov/programs/aaa/enp/
