Southern California Basic Needs Collective

Description

Since our initial launch in May of 2020, we have delivered more than 15,000 of pounds of food to families in need within the San Gabriel Valley. ​Although our organization is in its nascent stage, the impact of our work is tangible in the overwhelmingly positive feedback we have received from our community. We are grateful for our partners at Amy's Farm, Foothill Vineyard Church and Helping Hands, Food Forward and the Social Justice Learning Institute, Urban Partners, and our community.

In the United States, 17.4 million people are affected by food insecurity. The COVID-19 pandemic and recession have led to job loss and corresponding food insecurity for many people. While laudable in effort, traditional food security efforts aimed at addressing hunger fall short, perpetuate neo-colonial food dependence, fail to reach the most high-risk individuals, and contribute to the development of chronic health problems. Products gathered at food drives are often canned and boxed goods, low in nutrients and high in additives, which leads to the development of health problems such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Standard American Diet food pantries often lack care for dietary restrictions or cultural competence, often providing food that recipients do not know how to cook with or cannot digest. Many food banks demand recipients to register, providing personal information. This is especially threatening to undocumented folks and communities of color that are generally placed under higher policing + may not want to risk providing their information.