As California braces for possible heavy rain and flooding tied to El Niño conditions, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is working to make sure families have the basics covered before a crisis.
Here's what to know
According to LAist, the food bank and Abbott — the maker of Pediasure and Pedialyte — are assembling and storing 1,000 disaster relief packs for emergencies that disrupt access to food and clean water.
In the aftermath of a disaster, flooding is often only part of the challenge. Extreme weather can also disrupt power and water systems.
The 2025 wildfires in L.A. showed how quickly that can happen. When electricity and water are lost, a regional emergency can become a food-access crisis.
Abbott has assembled similar packs in Southern states for hurricane season. LAist reported that this is its first West Coast collaboration.
What's being done?
Instead of waiting for the next emergency, the food bank and Abbott are pre-stocking 1,000 packs so essentials are in place if access to food and clean water is derailed.
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The project also offers a model for how brands can contribute to community well-being in visible, useful ways.
With the food bank's local reach and Abbott's disaster-preparedness experience, the effort could give Los Angeles families more security when access to food and water becomes fragile.
Where can I learn more?
Here are a few more examples of how food banks, companies, and residents respond when disasters disrupt access to food and water.
• An Arkansas food bank saved and served over 60,000 meals after storms left a grocery store without power.
• Food banks worldwide provided 1.7 billion meals while rescuing food from landfills on a massive scale.
• In California, ExtraFood is using a state-backed initiative to fight waste and hunger.
• After Hurricane Helene, Lowe's stores mobilized massive relief efforts as communities waited for essentials.
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