Resources for Food Insecurity & Economic Hardship

The Office for Religious and Spiritual Life has compiled a list of resources for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity or economic hardship due to the pandemic.

If you have information about additional resources that we can add to this list, please contact Rev. Dr. Susan Young, the Director for Religious and Spiritual Life, at young@oxy.edu. Our office has tried to confirm that the information provided here is as up to date as possible. Please notify Rev. Dr. Young if you find that any of this information is inaccurate. Thank you.

Food and Nutrition Assistance

Los Angeles County: Type in your location at the Los Angeles Food Bank website. Upon identifying a food pantry location near you, please call the location to confirm that the information you received from the food bank is up to date.

Altadena

Altadena Community Church houses a food pantry that is supported by several area churches. It is open on Saturdays from 10:00 am to noon. Drive up only. Do not get out of your car. A free bag of groceries will be given to you, one per family. Go up the ramp to the rear parking lot. Then continue around to the west side of the rear building. The address is 943 East Altadena Drive, Altadena CA 91001-2033.

Harvest Village Ministries , in connection with Pasadena Public Health Department and various Pasadena food banks, can deliver groceries to your home if you live in Pasadena or Altadena. Please call (626) 714-7722 between 9:30 am and 5:00 pm Monday through Friday and ask for Norma Jimenez. You will be asked some questions (intake over the phone) to ensure they can effectively support you.

Burbank

Burbank Temporary Aid Center serves people who are housed on Tuesday - Thursday 9:00 am to noon, with the last grocery order placed at 11:30 am. On your first visit, please arrive no later than 10:30 am in order to be registered in time to get your groceries. To register, please bring the following:

Positive ID for all members of the household
A bill or documentation that you live in Burbank
Proof of income (unemployment, social security, paystub, etc.)

BTAC also offers homeless clients sack lunches available for pick-up Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to noon.

Once you have gathered the information and registered, you will be able to receive groceries once each month. The Burbank Temporary Aid Center is located at 1304 W. Burbank Blvd., Burbank CA 91506. Phone: (818) 848-2822.

Eagle Rock

St. Barnabas Church , in cooperation with Seeds of Hope LA, distributes free boxes of fresh produce, meat and dairy products on Thursdays at 11:00 am. The church is located at 2109 Chickasaw Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90041. Please email foodjustice@saintbe.org for more information.

East Los Angeles

Eastmont Community Center , located at 701 S. Hoefner Street in East Los Angeles CA offers food on Fridays from 8:00 to 10:30 am or until the food runs out. Get there early as lines are long. You are required to live in LA County’s 1^st Supervisorial District, meet income qualification, and provide proof of residence.

Echo Park and Silver Lake

St. Athanasius at St. Paul's Commons Food Pantry distributes food every Friday at 8:00 am. On the third Thursday of each month, they offer food for seniors at 8:00 am. The food pantry is located at St. Paul’s Commons at 840 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90026.

The Silver Lake Community Church operates a food pantry on Wednesdays from 5:00 to 6:30 pm. People begin lining up as early as 4:00 pm but if you arrive before 6:00 pm, you should still be able to get food. The church has waived its requirement for proof of government assistance due to COVID-19. Anyone who identifies as food-insecure (not sure if you will have enough food or money for food) is eligible to receive food. People experiencing food insecurity can come every Wednesday as necessary. If you have bags, please bring them. You can get food for another person but you will need to provide their name on the sign-in list. They also distribute clothing and a limited supply of hygiene products. The church is located at 2930 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles, 90027, near the corner of Hyperion/Rowena. There is a parking lot behind the church.

El Monte

Our Saviour Center operates a food pantry on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. A picture ID is required. The address is 4368 Santa Anita Avenue, El Monte CA 91731.

Glendale, Canoga Park, San Fernando, Burbank

Through the Loaves and Fishes program , Catholic Charities is providing food assistance to individuals and families living in the following zip codes: 91201, 91202, 91203, 91204, 91205, 91206, 91207, 91208, 91209, 91214, 91011, 91020, 91042, 91043, 90027, 90039, 90041, 90042, and 90065.

The Glendale location is the Glendale Community Services Center at 4322 San Fernando Road, Glendale CA 91204. They are open Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to noon & 1:15-3:30 pm. Please bring the following items with you:

Photo I.D. or Driver’s License for adult applicant (head of household)
I.D. for each member of the family (e.g. birth certificate, green card or passport)
Proof of address (e.g., utility bill or rental/lease agreement)
Proof of income (e.g., paystubs, SSI proof, DPSS Verification of Benefits etc.)

Hollywood

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Hollywood distributes food every Wednesday from 10:30 am-11:00 am. They are located at 6125 Carlos Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90028.

Lincoln Heights and Highland Park

Los Angeles Boys & Girls Club is offering grab and go food on Thursdays from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at 2635 Pasadena Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90031. You should call (323) 221-9111 to sign up.

Los Angeles including Downtown and Koreatown

The Dream Center is distributing groceries locations across the Los Angeles area. There is no prior condition that needs to be met before receiving their food and meal services. Any and all are welcome. Location sites and times may be subject to change:

Tuesday

10:30 –11:30 am Edgeware - 353 E Edgeware Road, Los Angeles, CA 90026
10:30 -11:30 am Bonnie Brae - 273 Bonnie Brae Los Angeles, CA 90057
10:30 -11:30 am Western - 6909 S Western Ave, Los Angeles CA 90047
2:30 – 3:30 pm Plaza Del Sol - 1300 Plaza del Sol, Los Angeles, CA 90033
2:30 – 3:30 pm Gratt’s EEC - 1415 W 5th Street, Los Angeles CA 90017
2:30 – 3:30 pm Nickerson Gardens - 11335 Success Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90059

Wednesday

10:30 – 11:30 am Hoover - 2669 W 9th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90006
10:30 – 11:30 am Chinatown - 323 S Avenue 19, Los Angeles, CA 90031
2:30 – 3:00 pm Church on the Way - 7121 Tyrone Ave000, Van Nuys, CA 91405
2:30 – 3:30 pm Norwood - W 20th Street & S Oak Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007
2:30 – 3:30 pm Imperial Courts - 11583 Gorman Ave, Los Angeles, California, 90059
2:30 – 3:30 pm Restoration LA - 4409 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016

Thursday

10:30 – 11:30 am Angelus Temple - 1100 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026
10:30 – 11:30 am 1st & Chicago - 2124 E 1st Street, Los Angeles CA 90033
10:30 – 11:30 am Gilbert Lindsay - 430 E 41st Place, Los Angeles, CA. 90011

Friday

10:30 – 11:30 am Leimert Park - 4395 Leimert Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008
10:30 – 11:30 am VIP - 1721 Sichel St, Los Angeles, CA 90023
2:30 – 3:30 pm Hollywood - 5545 Virginia Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90038
2:30 – 3:30 pm Rosemont Elementary - 455 N Lake St, Los Angeles, CA 90026
2:30 – 3:30 pm Estrada Courts - 3203 Glenn Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90023

Saturday

10:30 – 11:30 am Santa Ynez - 2127 Santa Ynez Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
10:30 – 11:30 am William Mead - 293 Cardinal Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
10:30 – 11:30 am Pueblos - 54th Street & Long Beach Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90011
10:30 – 11:30 am MacArthur Park - 645 South Park View, Los Angeles, CA 90057

Blessed Sacrament Church , located at 6657 Sunset Boulevard, starts distributing food on Saturday mornings at 8:00 am to noon for low income people and people experiencing homelessness.

First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles in Koreatown joins with Urban Partners Los Angeles to distribute food boxes on Saturday mornings. The boxes contain enough food to feed a family of four for one week. There has been increased demand since COVID so get there early. They start distributing food at 7:00 am and close at 1:00 pm every Saturday at 2936th West 8th Street, Los Angeles CA 90005.

Immanuel Presbyterian Church offers food pantry grab and go boxes and hot ready-to-eat meals at 663 S Berendo St. Los Angeles, CA 90005, near Koreatown. They are open Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 am to noon.

The Southern Islamic Center of California , located by Koreatown, operates a food bank on Saturday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 am. Individuals are encouraged to arrive at the back parking lot no later than 11:00 am. Masks and social distancing required. Their address is 434 South Vermont Street, Los Angeles CA 90020.

The Karsh Center runs a food pantry every Tuesday from noon to 2:00 pm and Sunday from 7:30 to 9:30 am. Their address is 3750 West 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90020. Food Pantry visitors receive a bag of groceries. The Karsh Center provides other forms of social support. Visit their website for more information.

St. James in the City Episcopal Church offers both hot meals and a food pantry. The church is located at 3903 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Hot meals are available on Tuesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 pm, and Fridays from 3:30 to 5:00 pm. Grab and go groceries are available Thursday from 8:00 to 9:00 am. Free hot showers, breakfast and clean clothes are available on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

St. John’s Cathedral distributes food on the third Saturday morning of the month from 8:30 to 10:30 am. No documentation is needed in order to receive food. The church is located at 514 West Adams, Los Angeles CA 90007.

Wilshire Presbyterian Church operates a food pantry at the Community Center on Mondays from 10:30 am to 12 noon. They may close early if they run out of food. The distribution center is located at 309 South Oxford Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90020.

Monrovia

Foothill Unity Center offers groceries at a drive thru food distribution center at 790 West Chestnut Avenue in Monrovia CA 91016 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 to 11:30 am.

Montebello

Heart of Compassion distributes food via a drive thru on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:00 to 11:00 am (or until supplies last) at 600 S. Maple Ave, Montebello, CA 90640. Registration and line starts 8:00-9:00 am at 1537 W. Mines Ave. A family may visit once per week and there is a limit of two families per vehicle. Do not leave your vehicle and you will need an ID. The ID is for the records only..

Pasadena

First Church of Nazarene partners with Helping Hands to distribute food on Wednesdays from 9:00 am to noon at 3700 East Sierra Madre Boulevard in Pasadena.

Foothill Unity Center in Pasadena offers groceries at a drive thru food distribution center at 191 North Oak Avenue, Pasadena CA 91107 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 to 11:30 am. Please have an ID available.

The Grace Food Shelf , located at Hill Avenue Grace Lutheran Church, is open every Saturday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 am. The church is located at 73 North Hill Avenue, Pasadena CA 91106 and the Grace Food Shelf is at the west end of the campus, off of Holliston Avenue. Everyone with a need is invited to pick up a grocery bag of non-perishable food items. They do not require an unemployment stub or have any income level requirement. They have food options for those with or without kitchens. They also have hygiene kits available for people experiencing homelessness. The kits include: a comb, soap, shampoo, razor, toothbrush and toothpaste.

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church distributes food on Saturdays from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at 997 East Walnut Street, Pasadena CA 91106.

Lincoln Avenue Church operates a food pantry on Wednesdays from 10:00 am to noon at 1180 North Lincoln Avenue, Pasadena CA 91103.

Friends in Deed , located at 444 E. Washington Blvd, Pasadena 91104 on the SE corner of Washington and Los Robles, is operating a food give away on Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, and on Thursday, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. One visit per week.The organization is distributing pre-packed bags with shelf stable foods, produce bags, and meat/dairy/bread bags. People line up, with masks on and practicing social distancing and once they've reached the check-in table, they will receive the food.

This program is for low-income/no-income individuals/families that need food assistance. That is the requirement to get food. Most of the people they serve live in Pasadena/Altadena, but they do serve the immediate neighboring cities. To get registered, Friends in Deed requires that identification be brought for each person to be registered in a family, some form of documentation with current address, and proof of low-income status. If a person does not have one, or more, of these requirements, that should not stop them from coming to get food. For more information, call 626-797-6072 or email Tim Nistler, Food Pantry Program Director at pantry@friendsindeedpas.org .

Studio City

The North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry , located at 11634 Moorpark St, Studio City, CA 91604, provides food on Mondays and Fridays, 7:30 to 11:00 am. The entrance is on the Troost side of the parking lot. People in need of assistance will receive an emergency bag of non-perishable groceries consisting of but not limited to: a can of protein, peanut butter, rice, beans, cans of soup, vegetables and fruit along with cereal, bread, and when available - fresh fruits and vegetables. (No cooked food). Each bag provides enough food for several days. To receive food, simply show up. No ID required. Please stay in your car.

Van Nuys and West Los Angeles

Van Nuys and West Los Angeles Jewish Family Services operates the SOVA and SOVA West Food Pantries. The SOVA Valley pantry is located at 16439 Vanowen Street, Van Nuys CA 91406. They distribute food Monday through Thursday from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm and Sundays from 9:00 am to noon.

The SOVA West pantry is located at 8846 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles CA 90035. They distribute food Monday through Thursday from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm.

Please bring a picture ID and proof of residency for anyone living in the house who is over the age of 18 and a birth certificate for anyone in the house who is under the age of 18. Food distribution is determined by family size and these documents are required to qualify.

Anyone living within their service area with very low income is eligible to receive assistance at the SOVA food pantries. Eligibility for SOVA’s free grocery distribution is determined by family size and household income level. Generally, the eligibility guideline is yearly income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. However, when determining eligibility, they take into consideration the high cost of living in Los Angeles and individual circumstances that may place a family in crisis. Call 877-275-4537 for more information.

Project Angel Food delivers meals to any person battling critical illness. Potential clients must complete an intake form with information about their illness including documentation from their physician. Please see their website for enrollment information and forms.

Additional Resources

https://foodoasis.la/

https://www.seedsofhopela.org/food-distribution.html

https://catholiccharitiesla.org/program-directory-by-city/

Emergency Loans

The Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA) offers no interest and no fee loans that do not require collateral. You do not need to be Jewish to receive a loan. The JFLA provides emergency loans of up to $15,000 through their Emergency Loan Program. You can receive up to:

$7,500 (full-time student + 2 guarantors)
$7,500 (employed + 1 guarantor)
$15,000 (employed + 2 guarantors)

Examples of emergency loans for COVID-19 include: childcare and remote learning tools such as Wi-Fi, computers, school supplies and more. Examples of emergency loans to avoid homelessness include: rent, security deposits, Section 8 housing, moving expenses, first and last month’s rent, basic furniture and more. Examples of emergency loans for unexpected expenses include: medical and dental needs, car repair, transportation, home healthcare, basic furniture, food, prescription drugs, domestic violence, children with special needs and more.

To be eligible:

You can demonstrate a need for a loan, i.e., a letter from your landlord, or a bill.
You have a social security number.
You are a resident of Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara county.
You are at least 18 years old.
You have a state-issued California ID, like a driver’s license.
You have a steady source of income, or you are a full-time student seeking a student loan.
You have a guarantor, or guarantors, to secure your loan.

Rental Assistance Grants

The Resident Relief Foundation provides grants for rental assistance due to an unexpected financial emergency outside of your control (temporary job gap, natural disaster, medical emergency, auto accident (vehicle maintenance costs do not qualify), a victim of a crime, death, etc.). The majority of their rental assistance grants are for rent that you are not able to pay which has put you at risk of eviction. You should exhaust all other means of assistance before applying to them and must be able to demonstrate that you have the ability to cover your overhead moving forward. Approval of all grants is made at the sole discretion of the RRF Board approval committee.

Qualifications to apply:

You are facing eviction within 60 days.
You’ve been a resident in your current community for 9+ months and intend to stay in your home;
The financial crisis was unexpected and outside of your control. You have taken every step possible to reduce your monthly expenses. In the event of a death, please be prepared to provide a copy of the death certificate;
You paid your rent timely every month for the previous five years – they allow the following before the date of the circumstance/crisis;
For residencies of 1 year or less -1 late payment
- 2 years – 2 late payments
- 3 years – 3 late payments
- 4 years – 4 late payments
- 5+ years – 5 late payments
You have not violated any terms of your lease;
You have enough income moving forward to cover your rent and expenses; alternatively, you have a good job prospect or other income expected within a specific period of time and can provide supporting documentation meaning a job offer letter, proof of upcoming SS, disability, or unemployment benefits, etc.; For those who cannot show proof of sufficient future income, they will consider a maximum grant of 2 months of rental assistance.
You agree to participate in eVolve, an online financial education program, at their expense, as a condition of receiving a grant. You must be fully completed with the program before your request is submitted to their Board.

They require certain documents and confirmation of residency facts for due diligence purposes. They provide rental assistance for an unexpected temporary financial crisis; not just because you have too many bills or loans to pay. IMPORTANT: they will look at your expenses and need to see that you have taken steps to cut out unnecessary and discretionary expenses and are responsibly trying to get back on track. *California residents must apply to at least one other rental assistance program to be considered..