This is a guide about the Los Angeles Food Bank. If you need food immediately, we have information below to help you access food now. If you would like to donate or volunteer at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank or at a local food pantry, see below for the various ways you can help.
Additionally, if you are a food industry organization or a local business that would like to donate to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, we have provided information below.
Lastly, we answer the most frequently asked questions about the food bank, including how the food bank works, how many times you can get food, how to sign up to volunteer, and how senior citizens can get help now.
Table of Contents:
- Hunger in Los Angeles County
- Los Angeles Food Bank Locations
- Donate to Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
- Los Angeles Food Bank Login
- Volunteer at a Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
- FAQs about Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
Hunger in Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County is home to one of the largest populations of any county in the nation.
It is also home to one of the largest accounts of hunger.
It is estimated that 1 in 5 people in Los Angeles County faces food insecurity.
While fixed-income seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families are the most visible examples of people who struggle, hunger doesn’t stop there.
Hunger affects all groups of people regardless of education level, employment status, or ethnicity.
Additionally, due to the soaring costs of both housing and transportation in Los Angeles County, many people who work, including some families with two incomes – often can’t make ends meet or put enough good food on the table.
Do you need food Now?
If you need food immediately, here’s what you can do:
- See our list of Los Angeles Food Bank and Pantries
- Alternatively, you can use the Food Bank’s pantry locator to find a food pantry near you or call 323-234-3030.
- Call for food assistance by dialing 211
- Get details on how to apply for Food Stamps(CalFresh) in Los Angeles County
- Locate a Los Angeles County CalFresh Office to apply for Food Stamps in person.
Los Angeles Food Bank Locations
To find a Los Angeles area food pantry or food bank, click here.
You can search by zip code or location, as shown below.
You can show up at any Los Angeles area food pantry to get food if you need food to feed your family immediately.
However, we advise that you first call the food pantry to get their hours of operation and food distribution schedule.
There is no limit to how many times you can use a food pantry in Los Angeles.
Where and How to Donate to Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank relies on support from retailers, community groups, and people like you to help them get food to those who need it.
The most efficient way to do that is through a monetary donation.
Click here to make a monetary donation.
Also, see a list of other ways to give to the food bank.
Donate Food to the Los Angeles Food Bank
Additionally, the Los Angeles food bank will gladly accept food donations as well.
Food donations are accepted from Individuals, Food Industry Donations, and Business Donations. See details below.
The best food to donate are foods that are high in fiber, low in sugar, and low in sodium.
Donating these types of foods enable children and families to have the kinds of nutritious meals they need to maintain health.
Individual Food Donations
If you or your family would like to donate food to the Los Angeles food bank, there are multiple ways you can do so, including:
Organizing a Traditional Food Drive
Here’s how to organize a traditional food drive:
- Register with the Los Angeles food bank to host a food drive
- Collect food donations from the food bank’s list of the most wanted items
- Deliver your donations to the Los Angeles food bank
Digital Food Drive
If you are passionate about working to solve hunger, a digital food drive is another excellent way to provide support with minimal hassle.
It also saves time and fuel.
A digital food drive happens online. Instead of collecting food items, you’ll collect financial donations that the food bank can use to buy the food they need most.
This includes fruits, vegetables, and perishable items like meat and dairy.
The Los Angeles food bank offers a digital food drive page to make collecting donations easy.
The website allows you to register as a fundraiser, personalize your page, and promote your efforts through social media and email.
Amazon Wishlist Donations
Most food banks maintain an Amazon Wishlist of the most wanted food items.
All you have to do is purchase items on their wish list and they will be delivered directly to the food bank.
Contact the Los Angeles Food Bank and ask for the link to their Amazon Wishlist.
Drop off food at the Los Angeles food bank
You can bring your unopened, non-perishable food donations to the food bank’s warehouse as listed below:
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
1734 East 41st Street
Los Angeles, CA 90058
Phone: (323) 234-3030
Fax: (323) 234-0943
Food Industry Donations
The food bank accepts food donations from grocery stores, wholesalers, restaurants, and others in the food industry.
If you own or represent one of these organizations and would like to make a donation, Contact the food bank for more information.
Food Donations by Businesses
There are plenty of ways businesses can support the food bank and help provide hunger relief.
Here are ways your business can donate to the food bank:
- Host a traditional food drive at your office
- Host a digital food drive
- Become a corporate partner
- Discover volunteer opportunities for corporate groups
Contact the food bank for more information.
Los Angeles Food Bank Login
If you are a member of the Los Angeles food bank, including volunteers, and would like to log in, click here.
You will need your username and password to log in, as shown below.
Volunteer at a Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
Volunteering at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is one of the best volunteer opportunities in LA.
By donating a few hours of your time, you’ll help us provide food for the 2 million people in Los Angeles County who face food insecurity.
Volunteers help us by boxing, sorting, and gleaning food that is later distributed through our network of more than 600 agency partners to our neighbors in need.
Groups and individuals can easily register through the food bank’s website.
Here are the many ways for groups and individuals to get involved:
Sign up for Individual Volunteering
You can have a big impact on the fight against hunger in Los Angeles County by signing up to volunteer at the food bank.
Volunteer at Food Pantry
Make a long-term impact in your community by helping distribute food at a partner agency site.
Sign up to be a Food Bank Ambassador
Gain leadership and nonprofit administrative experience.
Volunteer with a Group
Join a group and help give back to Los Angeles County. You can make a difference.
Sign up for Virtual Volunteering
Help create personal hygiene kits for clients.
Celebrate your Birthday by Volunteering
Celebrate your birthday by volunteering and giving back to the community!
FAQs about Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Los Angeles Area Food Bank
How does the Los Angeles food bank work?
The Los Angeles food bank is a non-profit organization that collects and distributes food to hunger-relief charities.
Most food banks act as food storage and distribution depots for smaller front-line agencies.
The Los Angeles food bank usually does not give out food directly to people struggling with hunger.
Instead, it distributes food throughout Los Angeles County through its partnering agencies and programs.
Is the Los Angeles food bank legit?
Yes. Since 1973, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has distributed more than 1.83 billion pounds of food.
With the help of 15,000 volunteers annually and an agency network of more than 600 partner agencies, the food bank serves more than 800,000 people on a monthly basis.
Can you just turn up at a food bank?
Yes, you can show up at any food pantry to get food to feed yourself and your family.
No appointment is necessary but food pantries are typically first-come, first-served so many visitors arrive early.
How many times can you use a food bank?
You are allowed to receive food as many times as you need to feed yourself or your family.
You do not need to do anything differently but should continue to bring your proof of California residency each time.
However, depending on the food pantry, they may be open only one or two days a week or they may be open all seven days.
Therefore, it is important to call the food pantry first to make sure they are open before you show up.
What kind of documentation do I need to bring?
The only documentation you need to bring is proof of California residency.
Anything that has your name and address on it (that you didn’t write yourself) qualifies as proof.
This can be a state-issued ID, a utility bill, etc.
Other information will be collected from you verbally.
I am a senior citizen, Can I go to a Food Bank?
Yes. Food banks offer programs for seniors who are age and income qualified.
This includes the Commodities Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) – a program specifically designed for seniors using USDA commodities.
These food packages are available once a month to qualified seniors.
Seniors who qualify must be over 60 years of age, and provide proof of California residency and proof of income at or below 130% of the federal poverty line.
Proof of income can include a social security benefit statement or participation in federal and state programs such as TANF, SSI, WIC, SNAP (food stamps), or Medicaid.
How do I register to Volunteer as an Individual?
If you are a first-time volunteer, you will be asked to create a login and password when you sign up for your first shift on the food bank’s volunteer registration system.
Once registered and logged in, select your shift, and a confirmation email will be sent back to you.
For returning volunteers, simply log in, select a shift, and you will receive a confirmation email.
To sign up for a volunteer shift, visit the food bank’s Volunteer Event Listing and Registration.
How do I register my Group to Volunteer?
If you would like to volunteer as a group of 5 or more, please submit a Group Volunteer Request and someone from the food bank will get back to you within 72 hours.
To learn more or to register, please visit the Group Volunteer page.
Can I complete Court Assigned Community Service Hours at the Los Angeles Food Bank?
Yes. The Los Angeles Area Food Bank accepts court-assigned volunteers on a case-by-case basis – depending on the infraction.
Some infractions may not be permitted at their facility.
For more information, contact the food bank’s Volunteer Department for more information.
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank Summary
Here are the key takeaways:
You can show up at any Los Angeles area food pantry to get food if you need food now.
It is however best to call first to get the food pantry’s hours of operation.
There is no limit to how many times you can use a food pantry.
The best way to support the Los Angeles area food bank is through a cash donation.
However, you can also drop off food, especially those on their most wanted food item list.
Additionally, there are many ways to volunteer at the Los Angeles Food Bank, including:
- Sign up for Individual Volunteering
- Volunteer at Food Pantry
- Sign up to be a Food Bank Ambassador
- Volunteer with a Group
- Sign up for Virtual Volunteering
- Celebrate your Birthday by Volunteering
We hope this post on the Los Angeles area food bank was helpful.
Questions?
If you have further questions about CalFresh in Los Angeles County or California EBT Card, please let us know in the comments section below.
Be sure to check out our other articles about CalFresh and CalFresh EBT, including:
