(credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A record surge in demand for food assistance around the Southland is putting a strain on local food banks.
Even with food pantries serving about 330,000 people per month in Los Angeles County — up a whopping 73 percent from 2008 — there are an estimated 1.7 million Los Angeles County residents that are still struggling with hunger.
Officials from the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and in Orange County told KNX 1070′s Claudia Peschiutta on Thursday that while food distribution has hit one million meals per week, that number is still falling short.
“The demand for food assistance, given the economy, is likely just going to continue, ” said Michael Flood, president of The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
Flood points out that volume is up to nearly 1.25 million pounds of food acquired and distributed each week at Los Angeles County food banks — the equivalent of nearly one million meals per week.
“Most of this food is packaged, refrigerated, frozen,” said Flood. “We’re not a heavy meal-driven agency.”
Orange County is also facing challenges when it comes to meeting the needs of the hungry: Joe Shoening of Second Harvest Food Bank said his facility has seen a 70 percent jump in demand in the last three years.
“Are we meeting the entire demand here in Orange County? We’re not even close to meeting that,” said Shoening.
Both officials project a continued lack of resources over the next six to 12 months, blaming both the economy and political pressures forcing tough decisions at the local, state, and federal levels.
13 Comments
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And Ilegals are not costing us? I am tired of supporting these people and their litters (anchor babies)!
July 7, 2011 at 2:33 pm | | Report comment
Unless you’re native American you don’t belong here either.
July 7, 2011 at 3:29 pm | | Report comment
Its called manifest destiny, WE CAME, WE SAW, WE CONQUERED and it was Gods will we do so over the GODLESS HEATHENS, who now get better treatment in America than disabled Vets. If anyone deserved casino’s it was disabled Vets not a people that believe burning a weed in the wind can cure disease’s and have no idea of how to assimilate into a civilized society even after 200 yrs!
Thats just a DAV’s view of a people undeserving of benefits recieved.
July 7, 2011 at 4:25 pm
Kenyan is right. Native Americans could not hold their own so that is their fault. They got casino’s and are living better than if no one ever came here. This would still be 3rd world and undeveloped. Native Americans need to stick to their own issues and quit standing up for illegals and STFU! Its kinda hot so could you do a rain dance for us? LOL!
July 7, 2011 at 7:02 pm
Get over it Three Bears.
July 9, 2011 at 9:15 am
Eliminate or deport all the bottom feeding third world toilet ILLEGAL ALIENS and we would have more jobs and food banks would be well supplied. The ILLEGAL ALIEN has managed to drive down the hourly rate while cost of living goes up. When you live ten to a house, it’s easy to offset the cost of living.
July 9, 2011 at 9:18 am | | Report comment
Hate to say this but I dont give out any food anymore after what I seen on TV last year where the city was giving out free Turkeys and people where showing up in rich nice cars etc.. it was supposed to be for low-income people…????? never again I give out money, food etc…
July 7, 2011 at 2:52 pm | | Report comment
ONLY PUBLIC UNION EMPLOYEES AND ILLEGALS WILL BE THE ONLY PEOPLE EATING SOON. IF YOU DON’T WORK FOR A PUBLIC UNION OR IF YOU WERE BORN IN THE COUNTRY YOU WILL DIE.
July 7, 2011 at 4:36 pm | | Report comment
http://lolpics.se/pics/47.jpg
July 7, 2011 at 4:42 pm | | Report comment
I wonder how many of those 330,000 people are illegal aliens? I would not be surprised if it was 90% of them. And I agree with Kenyan… Illegals don’t cost us money? Illegals don’t dry up resources meant for Americans? Puh-leez. Gimme a break. Can someone tell me where those food banks are located? My family could use some food in the house… that is, FREE food. I don’t feel like getting out there and looking for a job to pay my own way around here. Maybe if I dye my hair a darker brown and go tanning I can get all the free stuff I could ever want. ‘Course I’d have to change my name to Maria Garcia or Lupe Fernandez. *snicker* No thanks.
July 7, 2011 at 5:30 pm | | Report comment
I also am though giving out donations so illegals can survive instead of our Vets here or REAL AMERICANS in need of help. It is a shame what has happened to this state which is now an illegal alien sanctuary. Then they spit in the face of the US by waving their flag and not bothering to learn English. These ungrateful people sure know how to bite the hand that feeds them!
July 7, 2011 at 7:06 pm | | Report comment
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