Note: All food distribution events will be held outdoors and all staff will follow the recommended safety guidelines, including wearing masks and gloves, maintaining social distancing, and getting temperature scans.
LOS ANGELES – Through their jointly-operated Community Resource Centers, L.A. Care Health Plan and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan are rolling out a series of drive-thru and walk-up food pantry events across Los Angeles County in response to the growing food insecurity burdening nearly every community. The food distribution events, which will start February 20, 2021 and run throughout the year, are free and open to everyone. All safety guidelines recommended by public health officials will be followed.
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank reports an estimated 1 in 4 people in Los Angeles County lives with food insecurity – the disruption of food intake or eating patterns because of lack of money and other resources. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the hunger problem that already existed. Before the pandemic, 1 in 5 people struggled with access to food.
“Over the past year, the pandemic’s economic fallout has not only aggravated low-income communities, but it has impacted new segments of the population who find themselves going to a food pantry for the first time ever,” said John Baackes, L.A. Care CEO. “As we start a slow recovery from COVID-19, we will do everything we can to help our fellow neighbors get back on their feet, including help with putting food on the table.”
To maximize their food insecurity efforts, the Community Resource Centers will sponsor community based organizations that are already holding pop-up food pantries, and will also host their own drive-thru food distribution events in the neighborhoods they serve.
“We have been reaching out to our members around the community resource centers and addressing food insecurity was a main issue expressed,” said Kristen Cerf, President and CEO of Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan. “Our social services teams have been working with our community partners to ensure members are connected with local resources. We also want to make sure that we bring additional resources in the community to meet the growing needs.”
The L.A. Care and Blue Shield Promise Community Resource Centers offer a range of virtual free classes and services that aim to improve health outcomes, which includes addressing social needs.
To learn more about the Community Resource Centers, visit activehealthyinformed.org.
The following is a list of food distribution events hosted or sponsored by L.A. Care and Blue Shield Promise. This list will be updated regularly.
Saturday, February 20
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Vista San Gabriel Elementary School
18020 E Ave O, Palmdale
Saturday, February 20
9:00 am - 11:00 am
MEND Poverty
10641 N. San Fernando Rd., Pacoima
Monday, February 22
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Gonzalez Park
1101 W. Cressey St., Compton
Thursday, February 25
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Crenshaw Family YMCA
3820 Santa Rosalia Dr., Los Angeles
Friday, February 26
8:00 am - 11:00 am
Antelope Valley Partner for Health
44226 10th St. W., Lancaster
Saturday, February 27
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Twin Lakes Community Church
17213 Lake Los Angeles Ave., Palmdale
Friday, March 12
8:00 am - 11:00 am
Antelope Valley Partner for Health
44226 10th St. W., Lancaster
Friday, March 12
8:00 am - 11:00 am
Church of the Epiphany
2808 Altura Street, Los Angeles
Saturday, March 13
9:30 am - 10:30 am
East Side Union School District
44938 30th E, Lancaster
Friday, March 19
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA
2800 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles
Friday, March 19
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Purpose Church
209 W. Pearl St., Pomona
Saturday, March 20
9:00 am - 11:00 am
MEND Poverty
10641 N. San Fernando Rd., Pacoima
Saturday, March 20
8:30 am - 10:30 am
Trinity Harvest
9845 E. Palmdale Blvd., Palmdale
Sunday, March 21
7:30 am - 9:30 am
Karsh Center
3750 W. 6th St., Los Angeles
Thursday, March 25
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Crenshaw Family YMCA
3820 Santa Rosalia Dr., Los Angeles
Friday, March 26
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Community Resource Center in Lynwood
3200 E. Imperial Highway, Lynwood
Saturday, March 27
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Weingart Wellness & Aquatic Center
9900 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles
Saturday, March 27
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Antelope Valley Harley Davidson
1759 W. Avenue J12, Lancaster
Wednesday, April 7
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
God's Pantry
250 E. Center St., Pomona
Friday, April 9
8:00 am - 11:00 am
Antelope Valley Parnters for Health
44226 10th St. W, Lancaster
Thursday, April 15
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Crenshaw Family YMCA
3820 Santa Rosalia Dr., Los Angeles
Friday, April 16
9:00 am - 11:00 am
MEND Poverty
10641 N. San Fernando Rd., Pacoima
Saturday, April 17
9:00 am - 12:00 Pm
MEND Poverty
10641 N. San Fernando Rd., Pacoima
Saturday, April 17
8:30 am - 10:30 am
Trinity Harvest
9845 E. Palmdale Blvd., Palmdale
Sunday, April 18
7:30 am - 9:30 am
Karsh Center
3750 W. 6th St., Los Angeles
Saturday, April 24
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Lancaster First Assembly of God Church
44514 20th St. W, Lancaster
Thursday, April 29
8:30 am – 12:00 pm
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church
2109 Chickasaw Ave., Los Angeles
Saturday, May 1
8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Downey First Christian Church
10909 New St., Downey
Thursday, May 6
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church
2109 Chickasaw Ave., Los Angeles
Friday, May 7
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Los Angeles Christian Presbyterian Church
2241 N. Eastern Ave., Los Angeles
Sunday, May 9
7:30 am - 9:30 am
Karsh Center
3750 W. 6th St., Los Angeles
Friday, May 14
8:00 am - 11:00 am
Church of the Epiphany
2808 Altura Street, Los Angeles
Friday, May 14
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Community Resource Center in Metro LA
1233 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles
Friday, May 14
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA
2900 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles
Saturday, May 15
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Palmdale High School
2137 East Avenue R, Palmdale
Saturday, May 15
9:00 am - 11:00 am
MEND Poverty
10641 N. San Fernando Rd., Pacoima
Saturday, May 15
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
God's Pantry
250 E. Center St., Pomona
Friday, May 21
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA
2900 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles
Saturday, May 22
8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Downey First Christian Church
10909 New St., Downey
Saturday, May 22
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Community Resource Center in Pomona
696 W. Holt Avenue, Pomona
Saturday, May 22
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Boyle Heights Location TBD
Friday, May 28
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA
2900 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles
Thursday, June 3
8:30 am – 12:00 pm
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church
2109 Chickasaw Ave., Los Angeles
Friday, June 4
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA
2900 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles
Wednesday, June 9
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA
2900 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles
Friday, June 11
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA
2900 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles
Friday, June 11
8:00 am - 9:00 am
Church of the Epiphany
2808 Altura Street, Los Angeles
Friday, June 18
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA
2900 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles
Saturday, June 19
9:00 am - 11:00 am
MEND Poverty
10641 N. San Fernando Rd., Pacoima
Friday, June 25
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA
2900 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles
Sunday, June 27
7:30 am - 9:30 am
Karsh Center
3750 W. 6th St., Los Angeles
Friday, July 2
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA
2900 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles
Friday, July 16
9:00 am - 11:00 am
MEND Poverty
10641 N. San Fernando Rd., Pacoima
Sunday, July 18
7:30 am - 9:30 am
Karsh Center
3750 W. 6th St., Los Angeles
Friday, August 13
TBD
Karsh Center
3750 W. 6th St., Los Angeles
About Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan is a managed care organization, wholly owned by Blue Shield of California, offering Medi-Cal and Cal MediConnect. It is led by healthcare professionals with a “members-first” philosophy and committed to building a quality network of providers and partnering with community organizations for more than 400,000 members. For more information about Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, please visit www.blueshieldca.com/promise. For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit www.news.blueshieldca.com. Or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.