Thousands of San Gabriel Valley residents received food assistance this week as Los Angeles County and community partners hosted a large-scale drive-through distribution at the San Gabriel Valley Airport in El Monte. The event, organized in partnership with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, provided boxes of groceries to 4,000 families facing temporary food insecurity.
Regional Partners Unite for Local Support
The distribution brought together county agencies, city departments, and local organizations to deliver immediate aid. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, City of El Monte, El Monte Police Officers Association, El Monte Police Officers Foundation, El Monte Business Alliance, California Highway Patrol, and Valley Vista Services provided critical logistical support. Volunteers from the California Conservation Corps, Rio Hondo College Corps, CultivaLA, and other community groups helped load fresh produce, chicken, and pantry goods into vehicles throughout the day.
Los Angeles County Chair Pro Tem Hilda L. Solis, who helped coordinate the effort through her office, said the county remains committed to helping families through this period of need. “The federal government’s failure to release food benefits has created an avoidable crisis for millions of families,” Solis said. “In Los Angeles County, we are stepping up to ensure that families have access to food and dignity during this difficult time.”
Addressing Local Food Needs
The El Monte event was one of several organized to strengthen local access to food assistance. While it responded to disruptions in federal benefits, its broader goal was to connect residents with county and nonprofit resources available year-round. Many attending families also received information about nutrition programs, employment services, and housing support.
In the First District—home to many working families in El Monte, South El Monte, and Baldwin Park—demand for supplemental food aid remains significant. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has expanded its pop-up pantries and drive-through distributions to reach more residents, with additional help from local churches and service organizations.
Ongoing Commitment to Food Access
Los Angeles County recently approved funding to boost food distribution capacity and strengthen partnerships with neighborhood pantries. These programs are part of a larger countywide strategy to address food insecurity through sustained community collaboration.
Events like the one in El Monte continue to demonstrate the region’s ability to respond quickly and work collectively when local families face challenges.
For residents seeking food assistance or ways to volunteer, resources are available through the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank at lafoodbank.org.
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