Supporting Our Community During the Government Shutdown: Project ASFA's Successful Food Drive to Support LA Food Bank

When the government shutdown caused a temporary pause on CalFresh benefits, many families in Los Angeles faced sudden food insecurity. During this challenging time, LA Food Bank stood as a vital resource, working tirelessly to support the community through its network of local partner pantries. Recognizing the urgent need, Project ASFA organized a community food drive focused on collecting non-perishable allergy-friendly items. This effort resulted in over a dozen boxes of donations, which were delivered to Ocean Gate Baptist Church, one of LA Food Bank’s partner pantries. This post shares how this initiative came together, why allergy-friendly donations matter, and how you can help support neighbors!

The Impact of the Government Shutdown on Food Assistance

The government shutdown led to a pause in CalFresh benefits, a program that many low-income families rely on for groceries. This sudden loss of support left thousands of people scrambling to find food, increasing demand at food banks and pantries across Los Angeles. LA Food Bank quickly became a critical lifeline, distributing food through its network of partner pantries to fill the gap.

Many families also face food allergies, which complicate their ability to access safe and nutritious food. Common allergens like nuts, dairy, gluten, and soy can cause severe reactions, so allergy-friendly options are essential. Unfortunately, these items are often harder to find in food drives and pantries, making Project ASFA’s focus on allergy-friendly donations especially important.

How Project ASFA Organized the Food Drive

Project ASFA’s team recognized the dual challenge of supporting families affected by the shutdown, and addressing the need for allergy-friendly foods. The food drive was designed with these goals in mind:

• Collect non-perishable allergy-friendly items such as canned fruits and vegetables without added allergens, rice, gluten-free pasta, and allergy-safe snacks.

• Engage the community by spreading awareness about food insecurity and allergies.

• Partner with LA Food Bank’s local pantry Ocean Gate Baptist Church to ensure donations reached those in need quickly.

  
  

Volunteers helped gather donations from neighbors, friends, and local businesses. Clear guidelines were provided to ensure donated items were safe for people with common allergies. The community responded generously, resulting in over a dozen boxes filled with carefully selected food items.

By focusing on allergy-friendly donations, Project ASFA helped:

• Reduce health risks by providing safe food options.

• Increase food access for families who might otherwise avoid food pantries due to allergy concerns.

• Raise awareness about the importance of inclusive food assistance.

  
  

This approach ensures that food support reaches everyone, including those with unique dietary needs.

How You Can Support Local Food Assistance Efforts

The government shutdown and temporary suspension of CalFresh benefits highlighted the importance of community support, and we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in this food drive. Your generosity and commitment to supporting those in need truly made a difference in our community.

We also encourage everyone to continue participating in future initiatives! There are many ways to help support neighbors facing food insecurity, especially during times of crisis:

• Donate allergy-friendly non-perishable food items to local food drives or pantries.

• Volunteer your time at food banks or partner pantries.

• Spread the word about food insecurity and the need for allergy-friendly donations.

• Visit LAfoodbank.org to find more ways to contribute or volunteer.

  
  

Your involvement is vital, and every contribution counts!