Politics. To some, this word may bring along negative connotations. At a casual gathering it may even be seen as a rude topic of conversation. Unlike food, which is almost always welcomed. Humans use food to remind us of family, love, indulgence, health and happiness. Food is seen as a way to bring people together by sharing recipes as stories from our lives. Sadly, with the US government being shut down, now food can also bring a place of sorrow to the soul. Since November 1st, more than 1.5 million children and adults have lost their SNAP benefits, facing a harsh reality, days or more without access to foods. ¹

Los Angeles county leaders are doing the necessary work to step in as the current administration government steps away from their peoples. These may not be certain times but it is certain that LA is taking direct action! The county has funded $10 Million to Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. ¹ This funding will go towards purchasing more foods and creating more available pick-up locations for people to access the foods. L.A. Care Health Plan will provide $5.4 million to three major food banks in the surrounding area. ¹ These three are; Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Food Forward® and the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. ¹ Additionally, various county departments have banned together to provide additional funds of $2 million to establish temporary food programs though Parks and Recreation and the Department of Health. ¹

We are not alone. In these seemingly desperate times, remember, unity is power and this unity can be used to bring strength to OUR government systems. And I do mean OUR systems. There may be a desire to put blinders up in regards to politics but the effects of ignoring policy can leave us all in an unfathomable dark. You do not have to be a nonprofit organizer, attorney or politician to create impact in this time of amplified food scarcity. You can donate foods or money, speak up in everyday life, post to social media, call your representatives or have food parties with your neighbors.

The most valuable thing we can do is refuse to remain silent. Every person, regardless of age, gender, sex, ethnic background, financial class, education level, we all deserve access to healthy and nutritionally rich foods! Living in a world where some parts of society want to convince us otherwise is bewildering. Even in these jarring times, this blogger encourages you to remain resolved. Focus only on what you can do and know, the power is in our hands.

Below you will find a link created by Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to help the public find their local pick-up center. These food banks are also a great resource to find out how to donate and volunteer if that is your desire.

Link to Los Angeles Regional Food Bank: Food Bank Finder

¹ County of Los Angeles, Public Service Announcement: Heat Safety Tips, LACounty.gov (June 5, 2023), https://lacounty.gov/heat-safety-psa.