Southland Coalition Calls for Governor to Sign Food Assistance Bill

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A coalition of mayors and food bank representatives from around California called on Gov. Gavin Newsom today to sign AB 826, which would provide $600 in food assistance to low-income residents, including undocumented immigrants.

The bill was authored by Assemblyman Miguel Santiago, D-Los Angeles, who said food banks and other nonprofits throughout California have experienced a surge in people seeking assistance since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Kids and families are starving during this pandemic,'' Santiago said. “There is a desperate need among low-income communities, especially undocumented communities, for food assistance right now. I personally have seen thousands of people lining up for just a few boxes of food to get their families through the week.''

The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has more than doubled the amount of people it is serving since March, according to Santiago, and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County says it has seen anywhere from a 100% to 400% increase in demand since the start of the pandemic.

“We know that hunger doesn't care about your race, faith, gender identity or immigration status, and with COVID-19 only deepening the crisis of food insecurity for too many families, we must act now to support our fellow Californians,'' Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said. “With AB 826, we can meet our obligations to our hardest-hit households and lift up millions of our neighbors who too often go to bed with an empty stomach.''

Newsom is expected to take action on the bill by Sept. 30.

Photo: Getty Images


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