More North Hollywood families are seeking help from a local food pantry as Los Angeles living costs remain high and CalFresh changes make paying for groceries even more difficult.
According to NBC Los Angeles, North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry handed out a staggering 386 bags of food on Oct. 9.
Here's what to know
As of Oct. 1, new rules began affecting CalFresh, California's SNAP program. NBC Los Angeles reported that federal rule changes broadened work requirements for some recipients and altered eligibility for certain groups. For families already stretched thin, the shift is adding pressure to grocery budgets.
Jane Poole, the food pantry's chairwoman, told the outlet some recipients responded by leaving previously loaded funds on their cards ahead of the funding change.
"Now, they're [families are] in emergency mode," Poole continued. "We are hitting numbers right now. We hit 386 bags last Friday, which is what we hit when we have a budget crisis and the government shutdowns."
"Our numbers are climbing every day," Poole said.
Patrick Gregory, a SNAP recipient, said even a modest disruption in benefits can throw off an entire month's budget.
"All of a sudden, there's no money," Gregory told NBC Los Angeles. "I'm like, where did the money go?"
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He said the pantry helps bridge that gap: "I came here, and they offer a really good SNAP lunch, and you can get a bag full of food."
More background
Bureau of Labor Statistics data for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area showed grocery prices for food at home rose 3% over the year and 0.09% in August 2026 alone, NBC Los Angeles reported.
Michael Flood, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, said the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is distributing more food in the meantime.
"What we're hearing from families, adults, seniors, and others is that their dollar is not going that far and we're able to see the impact of inflation," Flood said.
NBC Los Angeles also reported that a study by the LA Regional Food Bank and USC Dornsife put food insecurity at a steady 24% in 2025.
Where can I learn more?
There is pressure on food budgets in and beyond California.
• In California, ExtraFood redirected surplus food to families amid persistent hunger pressures.
• Around the world, food banks rescued food from landfills while serving 1.7 billion meals.
• Farm pressures and inflation are driving up the cost of groceries for shoppers.
• An unexpected crisis fueled food insecurity and strained household diets in Japan.
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