{"id":47831,"date":"2024-09-16T14:27:42","date_gmt":"2024-09-16T21:27:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cafoodbanks.org\/?p=47831"},"modified":"2024-09-16T15:50:54","modified_gmt":"2024-09-16T22:50:54","slug":"californias-hunger-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cafoodbanks.org\/es\/blog\/californias-hunger-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"La crisis del hambre en California"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s a scene that\u2019s become all too familiar for millions of Californians: families lining up for food assistance, wondering how they\u2019ll make it through the month. Hunger is hitting hard across the state, with food insecurity rates similar to those we saw during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. But California\u2019s food banks aren\u2019t backing down\u2014they\u2019re uniting in the fight to end hunger, and they need your help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Earlier this month, at Central City Neighborhood Partners (CCNP)<\/strong><\/a> in Los Angeles, leaders from CAFB and several regional food banks came together to reveal the alarming truth: 22% of households in California are struggling to put food on the table, and it\u2019s even more dire for families with kids, where that number jumps to 26%. These aren\u2019t just statistics\u2014they\u2019re real families, your neighbors, who need support now more than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Faces Behind the Data: Stories from the Front Lines<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n
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\r\n The food insecurity we\u2019re seeing now is eerily similar to the early days of the pandemic. This data is a call to action for all of us\u2014our food banks, our government leaders, and our communities,
Stacia Levenfeld, CEO of CAFB<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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Michael Flood, CEO of Banco Regional de Alimentos de Los \u00c1ngeles<\/strong><\/a> (LARFB) emphasized the impact of rising food prices and the high cost of living. “We\u2019re serving far more people than we were pre-pandemic, and we\u2019re not seeing those numbers go down,\u201d Flood explained. It\u2019s a sentiment echoed by Mark Lowry from OC Food Bank<\/strong><\/a>, who noted that families are constantly battling between basic needs like housing and food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Orange County, Claudia Bonilla Keller, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank del condado de Orange<\/strong><\/a>, pointed out that while the area is known for its wealth and attractions, many residents face the harsh reality of food insecurity. \u201cOne in 10 people in Orange County, including one in eight children, don\u2019t know where their next meal is coming from,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Banco de alimentos Westside<\/strong><\/a> (WSFB), President Genevieve Riutort shared that her organization has been dealing with record-high levels of need for over a year. \u201cThe lines at our food pantries are getting longer, and we\u2019re doing everything we can to make sure people don\u2019t go hungry,\u201d Riutort said.<\/p>\n\n\n

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A Community United: The Power of Collaboration<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

These stories reflect a growing crisis, but they also highlight something powerful\u2014community. At CCNP, over 600 families receive groceries and resources every Thursday through partnerships with food banks and local organizations. \u201cWe see firsthand how resilient and resourceful our community is, but we also see the incredible need,\u201d said CCNP\u2019s<\/strong><\/a> Executive Director, Margarita Alvarez Gomez. \u201cIt\u2019s through collaboration that we\u2019re able to provide stability for families who are struggling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The message is clear: the fight against hunger is bigger than any one food bank or organization. It\u2019s going to take all of us \u2014 community members, local businesses, volunteers, and donors \u2014 working together to turn the tide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How You Can Be Part of the Solution<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Feeling inspired? Here\u2019s how you can get involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n