AYC Emergency Food Program

Food insecurity and access to basic needs

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Before the pandemic, the EFP provided monthly distributions, serving around 60 families per month on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the pandemic began, the program scaled up to daily operations and served hundreds of families per month, going from distributing 1,800 meals in January 2020 to distributing more than 60,000 meals in August 2020. From March 2020 to March 2021, the Emergency Food Program distributed bags of groceries that provided over 400,000 meals to low-income families. The pandemic increased food insecurity, language/cultural barriers, transportation challenges, and economic instability which continue to impact the communities we serve. In 2022-2023, EFP provided 261,870 meals to 1,331 unduplicated households. As of 2024, the need for the program is still great due to continued anti-Asian discrimination along with higher grocery prices from inflation that disproportionately impacts low-income communities. We currently serve approximately 700 families every month.

The Emergency Food Program at AYC provides meals and other essentials to clients throughout LA County. We order/buy/transport food; sort and package the food into distribution units that hold 30 meals for each household; and schedule by appointment only pick-up appointments with low-income families on a first come, first served basis. All program clients are low-income individuals and families, including seniors, unhoused individuals, those at risk for facing homelessness, and immigrant communities. Many of our clients are seniors that receive a food bag not only to feed themselves but their families as well; most immigrant seniors are part of multigenerational households and act as caregivers for their grandchildren. Our food bags include culturally appropriate food items, such as bok choy, taro, noodles, dumplings, Taiwanese spinach, jasmine rice, Chinese tea, and Asian soup base kits – making our program distinct from other food banks and distribution programs. AYC also has local community connections, referring clients to churches and other local agencies for food, necessities, and mental health services, and distributes information regarding Medi-Cal, Earned Income Tax Credit programs, vaccines, and community events. 

Immigrant and low-income families benefit from having a safe space in the community where they can access their necessities and resources to improve their health. Our program provides the latest information with in-language resources in Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese on broadband access, utility assistance, COVID-19, anti-Asian hate, CalFresh, and more. This service helps clients save money to go toward necessities such as rent or gas instead of purchasing food that they would have had to spend from their limited income, in addition to preserving the dignity of our clients with healthy and nutritional options that they can choose. Establishing community partnerships will also expand the reach and impact of this program, For example, in the past we have partnered with the Office of LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis, LA Department of Parks and Recreation, Rowland and Hacienda Unified School District, and other local community partners to identify and reach out to families in need.

AYC measures the effectiveness and overall impact of our Emergency Food Program by continuing evaluation processes such as collecting demographic information, income documents, client satisfaction surveys, and observing and documenting behavioral changes in clients. Program staff collect feedback and data at outreach events, trainings, and workshops which include demographic information and utilization of given resources and services. Program reports include budgetary documents, program narratives, client success stories, and any other requested information. AYC has over 30 years of managing and reporting on government contracts and maintaining crucial partnerships with corporations/foundations. Program staff and managers conduct data collection and evaluation from all programs and clients, ensuring that provided services are making a direct positive impact.