Coronavirus Increases Hunger: Find A Food Bank In Venice
VENICE, CA — When you look around LA County, it’s easy to see the effects the coronavirus has had on our way of life. What’s less visible is the number of people who are now worrying about having enough to eat.
Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization, says coronavirus-related economic crises could push the number of food insecure Americans to 54 million by year’s end. That’s 17 million more Americans than who were food insecure before the pandemic. For some, it’s a matter of running short on grocery money before the week is out and eating a lot of boxed pasta and rice dishes.
For others, food insecurity means real hunger.
In Los Angeles, about 1,146,290 people were considered food insecure before the pandemic, according to Feeding America's "Map the Meal Gap" interactive study.
Job loss and other economic crises associated with the coronavirus could push the rate of food insecurity in Los Angeles County to 16.7% by the end of the year.
Feeding America, whose 200 member food banks include the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, reports both higher demand for services and more need for volunteer and donor support.
Venice Family Clinic has been providing "free, healthy food" to about 200 pregnant, pediatric and diabetic patients for several months at Colen Health Centers, 4700 Inglewood Blvd., #102. Distribution is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. NourishLA also provides drive-thru food distribution locations hosted by volunteers in Culver City.
Some other food pantries and services available near Venice include Westside Food Bank in Santa Monica, 1710 22nd St., the Westside Food Bank- St. Augustine Saves in Culver City, Blessed Sacrament Food Pantry in Hollywood, West Adams Church of Christ in West Adams, and Unity Fellowship of Christ Church in West Adams.
Here are some other Westside locations working to provide food:
Pantry LAX, 355 E Beach Ave, Inglewood
Food Distribution Center - WSFB - Saint Gerard's Social Services, 4439 Inglewood Blvd, Los Angeles
St. Joseph Center, 204 Hampton Dr, Venice
Food Distribution Center - Latino Resource Organization, 610 California Ave, Venice
RELATED: Millions Made Hungry During Pandemic Could Include Your Neighbor
Food insecurity is often thought of as a “poor people’s problem,” but not all people living in poverty are food insecure, and not all food insecure people live in poverty. Food insecurity is a complex issue sandwiched in with other systemic challenges, including poverty, low wages, affordable housing shortages, chronic and acute health problems, high medical costs and social isolation.
“Our members are reporting that many of the people they’re serving have never sought food assistance before,” Kathryn Strickland, Feeding America’s chief network officer, told Patch. “Some people are reporting that people who formerly donated to food banks are now seeking assistance.”
Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.
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This article originally appeared on the Venice-Mar Vista Patch
