With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Nearly 10% of L.A. County Residents in Need of Food Assistance
Photo by Jeffrey Beall via Flickr
Photo by Jeffrey Beall via Flickr
When the 2009 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count Report (.pdf) was released last Fall, it said there was a 38% drop in homelessness in the county. But that didn't make sense to the shelters and non-profits that claimed their services were overwhelmed. And today, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank released a report furthering facts about an increase in services for the needy.
"The total number of people receiving food assistance has increased by 46 percent since 2005 from 674,100 people annually to 983,400 people in 2009," the food bank said. That many people is a record and it represents nearly 1 in 10 residents of Los Angeles County. "Children comprise 40 percent of people receiving food assistance and seniors comprise 5 percent as an estimated 393,000 kids and 49,000 seniors benefited from food distributed by the Foodbank over the course of the year," the report continued.
And add to that the estimated 584,300 unemployed residents in L.A. County.
Sponsored message
"People are probably surprised to hear that nearly one in ten LA County residents now seek charitable food assistance," stated Foodbank President Michael Flood, "and it is critical that both charitable and government programs continue to receive support in order to help hungry people."
Flood adds that agencies are in need of more resources, whether that be in the form of donations or volunteers. The food bank's website has sections dedicated to both donations and volunteering.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
