No one goes hungry, not even for a single day.
The Foodbank of Southern California is proud to announce a grant from Bank of America to support its 2022 goal to bring highly nutritious food to over one million Angelenos who are struggling to put food on the table. The Bank’s $20,000 grant is part of a longer-term partnership totaling over $100,000 over the last four years to provide nutritional food to those who would otherwise go without.
“The demand for food is surging because of skyrocketing inflation combined with the continuing impact of COVID,” says Foodbank President and C.E.O. Jeanne Cooper, ”It is a challenging time because the extra funding we got as a result of COVID is disappearing just as the demand is surging. Families are really struggling.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, food prices showed the greatest annual increase in 41 years, with grocery prices rising 10.8% for the year. “It’s not just food prices,” says Cooper, “it’s also astronomical rent and the highest gas prices in history. So even though many people have become re-employed, they can’t keep up and their families are suffering. The Foodbank motto,” says Cooper, “is that no one goes hungry, not even for a single day. Bank of America is really committed to this vision too. With skyrocketing inflation, this is no small task.”
With funding from Bank of America and other partners, The Foodbank will provide between 60 and 80 million pounds of food to one million Angelenos in 2022. To distribute the food to those neighborhoods most in need, the Foodbank partners with over 230 agencies such as Parent of Watts, LA Dream Center, and North Long Beach Center for Economic Inclusion. This year, The Foodbank will penetrate deeper into “food deserts” and other underserved areas by sending out mobile food pantries with loads of fresh produce.
“The Foodbank of Southern California does an incredible job feeding and nourishing countless residents every day, year after year. Bank of America has proudly supported their hunger relief programs as a way to help address basic needs that often keep people from economic stability,” said Raul Anaya, President, Bank of America Los Angeles. “Demand on The Foodbank’s services grew exponentially due to Covid, supply chain challenges and now with rising costs, so it’s more important than ever for the private sector to contribute.”
The Foodbank was founded in 1975 to provide food to impoverished people residing in Los Angeles County. For 47 years The Foodbank has provided the safety net for sustaining the health and well-being of the economically disadvantaged, especially those in crisis. To donate to or volunteer for the Foodbank, go to www.foodbankofsocal.org.
