Urban Partners Los Angeles’ “Groceries for our Neighbors” food distribution program provides essential weekly groceries to thousands of low-income, homeless, and senior members of the community in Los Angeles. Volunteers make up a large part of the program, with a small number of staff members coming from the community we serve. This initiative has been a vital resource for those in need for over 32 years, and we are committed to continuing to support our community through it.

Each week, approximately 35,000 people in our community struggle with food insecurity, and around 10,000 members may go without meals due to financial constraints. Our relief efforts aim to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry, especially vulnerable populations. We are dedicated to securing our food and funding reserves in order to respond effectively to emergencies and handle the ongoing pandemic and its aftermath, as well as future Crises.

We distribute, on average, over 30,000 pounds of food every Saturday. Our goal is to provide enough groceries for a family of four to sustain themselves for one week. Our ability to continue to operate is due in large part to the generous support of businesses and individual donors who believe in our mission to alleviate hunger for struggling Los Angeles families.

If you would like to join us on the frontlines and help fight hunger in our community, we welcome your assistance at our food bank. We operate on Saturdays from 6:00 am to 9:30 am, rain or shine, some holidays excluded.

If you have any questions about volunteering with UPLA, please contact our volunteer coordinator at [email protected]. We welcome the opportunity to have you join our team and make a positive impact on the lives of those in need.

Visit our food bank at the First Unitarian Church for assistance with groceries. We recommend bringing a cart when picking up food at our food bank to make it easier to transport your groceries home.

WHERE: 2936 W. 8th Street, Los Angeles

WHEN: Saturdays, 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. (some holidays excluded)

Food Bank Volunteer Form

As our organization grows, so does our need for various donations to support our operations, including gloves for volunteers and diapers for the community. If you would like to support us with a donation, please contact us to find out more about how you can make direct donations. Your generosity will help us to continue serving our community and making a positive impact. Thank you in advance for your support.

UPLA Food Bank Donations Wish List

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have implemented additional safety and infection control measures at our Groceries for Our Neighbors food distribution program, which has significantly increased our operating costs. Since we no longer allow members of the public to enter the facility to collect groceries, we are more reliant on our staff and have had to engage more than double the number of volunteers to pack grocery bags and maintain a 6ft distance between recipients.

This program was founded during the 1992 L.A. riots, when a group of community members came together to address food insecurity. When the system failed them, they took care of each other. We continue this legacy by providing direct assistance to those in need and advocating for the health and well-being of our community. We are committed to continuing to serve those in need and to fight for a better future for all.

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS AND

COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS

We at Urban Partners Los Angeles would like to express our sincere gratitude to the donors and supporters of our food bank. Your generosity has made it possible for us to provide essential groceries to thousands of vulnerable residents in our community on a weekly basis. On behalf of the UPLA family and all of those who depend on us for food assistance, we thank you for supporting our critical lifeline program. Your support is truly appreciated and makes a significant difference in the lives of those in need. Thank you for your kindness and for helping us to make a positive impact in our community.

AETHER Apparel

American Beverage Association

Americorps

Assemblymember Miguel Santiago

Bloomingdale’s

Blue Shield of California

California Community Foundation

California Fire Foundation

Changeist

Chingoo Snack Mix

Congressman Jimmy Gomez

David and Natasha Fizdale

Diane Keaton

First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles

Food Forward

HopeNet

Koreatown

Labor Community Services

Life Guard

Los Angeles County Federation of Labor

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank

Macy’s

Mark Gonzalez – Chair, Los Angeles County Democratic Party

Media Box Camera

Miguel Contreras Foundation

Mutual Aid Network Los Angeles

Nam Le – Political Director, UFCW Local 770

OmniPork

PayPal Giving Fund

Pensieve Foods

Teamsters Local 396

The Diane Hall Living Trust

The Wonderful Company

United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 770

UFCW Local 770 Icaza Foundation

Verizon

Media Coverage and Content:

CNN: Interview at Urban Partners Los Angeles Food Bank

NBC News: Urban Partners LA is Feeding Neighbors During Pandemic

CBS 2 and KCAL 9 News: Free Groceries Giveaway Helps Families Impacted by Coronavirus Pandemic

Urban Partners LA Food Bank Short Film by Myrrh Raguro

Photo gallery from our 4/11/20 pandemic food distribution by Jayrol San Jose: https://adobe.ly/3cafrit