ABC7 is partnering with Vons, Care 1st, ESPN LA 710, PODS®, Mathis Brothers, McMahonsRV and with regional food banks across Southern California for the second annual Feed SoCal hunger initiative.
Food banks see donation surges particularly over the holidays, but the summer months can be especially difficult for children, veterans and the elderly.
The following food banks are participating in the Feed SoCal program: Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, Second Harvest Food Bank Inland Empire and FOOD Share Ventura County.
The Feed SoCal initiative aims to stock the shelves of local food banks across Southern California, so families don't go hungry.
At Los Angeles Regional Food Bank Thursday morning, the warehouse shelves were filled with food ready to be sent out to the communities. The Rev. Terry Wilson with Good News Missionary Baptist Church takes provisions from the food bank every week and passes them on to his community in Los Angeles.
"We service approximately 150 families every Thursday. You have elderly, you have children, you have single parents, so it's very important to have this food for them," said Wilson. "You have families who have to decide whether or not to pay their utility bill or to buy food."
Boxes of food leave the warehouse everyday and the shelves of the food bank need replenishing which is why donations are so important.
"We really ask the community to step up and donate food, donate funds, volunteer their time, because this is a community-based organization and really only exists thanks to the donations we receive from the public," said Michael Flood, CEO of Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
