During this holiday season, food banks in Orange County have witnessed a significant increase in the number of families seeking assistance. One non-profit organization reported a remarkable 63% jump in demand since January. This trend defies expectations as some had thought the need would subside after the pandemic, yet it remains at an all-time high. "Orange County's Food Banks: Facing a Holiday Season Surge"
Pre-Pandemic vs. Present Scenario
Families Forward, a non-profit based in Irvine, was serving 240 families per month before the pandemic. Now, it averages 674 families a month, and its food pantry sees an average of 70 visitors daily. This stark contrast showcases the magnitude of the change. Nicole Blair, who was getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner, recently lost her job, making it a challenging time to provide for her family. She said, "Those of us that lose our jobs during the holidays, it’s really hard. We don’t have all that means to make all that money."The need is so great that nearly 1,200 families signed up to receive bags of food for their Thanksgiving meal. Amanda Benedetti, the volunteer and community engagement manager at Families Forward, emphasized the importance of the Thanksgiving program, saying, "For Thanksgiving, being able to be at home with your family and cook the meal, just feel empowered to do that and to give that hope back to them."Personal Stories of Struggle and Compassion
Krystal Le takes care of a family of six. She was living on her own until she saw her relatives struggling. She said, "Most of them don’t speak English, so I do all this for them. If not, they not eating." This led her to move in with them. When she saw them with only one bowl of rice to share among the family, she became determined to help. She said with emotion, "The reason I help is I come home one day and they have one bowl of rice they split among family. I said I’m going to figure out some way, somehow to help."A volunteer at the food pantry donated 500 boxes of cereal this week. Within 24 hours, half of it was gone from the shelves, highlighting the immediate demand. Even with the high need, Le remains thankful. She said, "Some of us take for granted. We don’t appreciate what we have. It means a lot to us."This holiday season, while the need is overwhelming, there are also stories of hope and compassion that shine through in Orange County's food banks.
