Food for 500 San Fernando Valley families means a lot for struggling parents – Daily News

Los Angeles City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez hosted an annual food distribution on Friday, December 30, at Hansen Dam Recreation Center to help 500 families facing food insecurity in the San Fernando Valley.

In partnership with the regional non-profit North Valley Caring Services, Rodriguez focused on families in need in her City Council District 7, providing the families with a grocery box containing dry goods, fresh produce and poultry.

• Volunteer Rocio Morales sorts food to be distributed to needy families at Hansen Dam Friday, December 30, 2022. In partnership with North Valley Caring Services, 500 families in need from Council District 7 received a grocery box containing dry goods, fresh produce, and poultry . (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

• Volunteer Virgina Razo carries a box of food to be sorted for needy families at Hansen Dam Friday, December 30, 2022. In partnership with North Valley Caring Services, 500 families in need from Council District 7 received a grocery box containing dry goods, fresh produce , and poultry. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

• Volunteers load food into vehicles for needy families at Hansen Dam Friday, December 30, 2022. In partnership with North Valley Caring Services, 500 families in need from Council District 7 received a grocery box containing dry goods, fresh produce, and poultry. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

• Families pull up for delivery of food at Hansen Dam Friday, December 30, 2022. In partnership with North Valley Caring Services, 500 families in need from Council District 7 received a grocery box containing dry goods, fresh produce, and poultry. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

• Volunteers load food into vehicles for needy families at Hansen Dam Friday, December 30, 2022. In partnership with North Valley Caring Services, 500 families in need from Council District 7 received a grocery box containing dry goods, fresh produce, and poultry. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

According to the 2020 US Census, District 7 is 67% Latino, 14% of its residents have limited English, and nearly 18% live below the poverty level. Rodriguez’ district in northeast San Fernando Valley includes the communities of Sylmar, Mission HIlls, Pacoima, Sunland-Tujunga, Lake View Terrace, Shadow Hills, La Tuna Canyon and part of North Hills.

Because most food banks close during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, many low-income families in Los Angeles quietly get by — but they can face shortages of food and other pressing needs.

The North Valley Caring Services Pantry is the largest food distribution site based in northeast San Fernando Valley, and in 2020 the organization helped out 33,000 households in more than 100 zip codes in Southern California.