Recently, like many others, Maria Godinez felt the pinch of the high cost of food in stores.
That’s why she has been attending the Meeting Every Need with Dignity (MEND Poverty) food bank in Pacoima, where she typically waits up to an hour and a half to receive food due to the high demand in the area.
“Everything they give us here is a blessing. Everything is very good, the fruit, the vegetables and all that helps us balance the economy a little,” said Godínez. “So we no longer have to buy everything, but only the most necessary.”
Godínez is 74 years old and worked for more than 40 years in the United States after emigrating from Tijuana. He is now retired, but the money he receives from Social Security is not enough to cover his needs.
“Many of us who are retired do not receive enough from Social Security to pay rent, pay for gasoline, and pay for car repairs. [El dinero] “The food they give us is very limited,” Godínez explained. “That is why we senior citizens need to find ways to feed ourselves.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $100 in 2024 is equivalent to $81.54 in 2020, representing a huge decrease in the value of the dollar in just 4 years.
Food insecurity among low-income Los Angeles County residents was worse in 2023 than during the pandemic in 2020. According to a 2023 USC report, 62% of Latinos are experiencing food insecurity.
The report also found that before the pandemic, food insecurity rates among low-income households had been improving, from 31% in 2011 to 27% in 2018, but now the food insecurity rate among low-income households has increased to 37% in 2022 and 44% in July 2023.
One of the key actions recommended by USC was to increase support for food banks to meet food needs and address gaps that other initiatives are not yet considering.
In 2022, the United States experienced an inflation rate of 8%, the highest since 1981, which affected people like Godínez, but also organizations like MEND Poverty.
The nonprofit MEND Poverty was started 53 years ago by Ed and Carolyn Rose, who saw a need for food and clothing in the San Fernando Valley community.
The organization is now based in Pacoima, where it is open three times a week to distribute food, help people find jobs and apply for public benefits.
According to MEND Director Janet Marinaccio, the organization relied on support from its donors during the pandemic, but with an increase in people experiencing food insecurity, the high cost of food, and administrative costs, more money is needed to continue serving the community.
“We have strong donations, but unlike our costs, they are not really going down, but they are not going up enough to keep up,” Marinaccio explained.
The director adds that in 2019 they served around 1,000 or 1,200 families per month, but in 2024 they need resources for an average of 5,400 families in the same period.
“It’s heartbreaking, but I think people are on the brink of homelessness more than people realize,” Marinaccio said. “You get counts of homeless people, you get better numbers, and I’m very happy about that, but how many people and how many families are on the brink of homelessness?”
Support campaign
MEND still relies on support from grocery store donations, grants, and individual donations, but they are still seeking funding to be able to support the families and individuals most in need.
Recently, Grocery Outlet launched its 14th annual Independence from Hunger Food Drive to combat food insecurity through MEND and other organizations such as the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Burbank Temporary Aid, Central City Neighborhood Partners and other nonprofits.
From June 26 to July 31, the campaign will collect cash donations and bags of nonperishable food items at more than 470 Grocery Outlet locations, which will be distributed to local food agency partners.
Ada Smith works as a cashier at Grocery Outlet in Sun Valley and has seen firsthand the impact of rising food prices.
“I think the basic shopping basket for customers has been reduced by 40%,” Smith said. “If a customer used to buy $200, now they come in and buy $100. That’s where we can see how our community is doing.”
According to Smith, if someone donates $5 they get a $5 coupon toward their next purchase of $25 or more, but Grocery Outlet is also accepting bags of food where they will still receive a $5 coupon toward their next purchase.