The layoffs and unemployment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic showed how fine the line is between food security and insecurity. Within a few weeks of the March shutdowns, we saw a nearly 30% increase in the number of people who went to our food pantries. We’ve met the demand by strengthening partnerships across LA County, such as our recent collaboration with Project Angel Food, which began serving clients in July. Clients who are able to can get nutritious meals at the Vine Street location, but clients who are unable to travel because of any number of HIV/AIDS related health complications will be referred to Project Angel Food’s medically tailored meal delivery program, as they have been since the beginning of the organization’s partnership with APLA Health.
No one should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, but the line between food security and insecurity is razor thin for some people and accessibility to nutritious food is a primary barrier. Our collaboration with partners is a giant step forward in making food and nutrition services more accessible to our clients.
