By Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P]
The nearly year-and-a-half-long pandemic of COVID-19 has exacerbated the food crisis in Los Angeles County, where a large percentage are first and second generation Latino and immigrant communities, as well as low-income women between the ages of 18 and 50.
This was announced by Dr. Kayla de la Haye, a professor of preventive medicine at the University of Southern California (USC), who, in a media briefing organized by Ethnic Media ServicesThe information was the result of a survey of nearly 2,000 Angelenos, he said.
Nearly 1.2 million families in Los Angeles County experienced a food crisis between April and December 2020, which meant that one in three families were food insecure.
Meanwhile, he estimated that 40 percent of Latinos and African-Americans had trouble accessing food, and those between the ages of 41 and 50 were at greater risk of food insecurity because of job loss, coupled with other financial obligations.
The specialist pointed out that people with small networks of friends and family members experienced the lack of access to food the most, as did those who contracted COVID at the beginning of the pandemic.
In addition, he explained that according to the results of the study, one in four residents live in places where they do not have easy access to food.
These people "don't have access to a supermarket so they had difficulty getting food, either because there are no stores nearby, they were closed, they had limited hours, or they didn't have personal transportation," she said.
De la Haye called on local governments to continue investing in food assistance programmes, as well as to boost and diversify existing programmes so that the most vulnerable have access to food.
Giving Hope in this food crisis
Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, chairwoman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, expressed fears of a larger food crisis as many have been unable to return to work in the face of high infection rates driven by the Delta variant.
"Our children may have to stay home longer. We're not sure what that means, but we need to help vulnerable families," she said, adding that one way to do that is with an emergency feeding kit to feed a family for a week.
However, she said, by applying for CalFresh or WIC, the latter of which is especially for low-income women, infants and children up to age 5, people could receive free food year-round.
Nearly two million people in LA County are eligible for monthly food assistance, but only 1.3 million are receiving that benefit.
"Part of the problem is that many undocumented families are afraid, but I want to tell them that we never ask for immigration status," he said.
Solis recalled that the county has distributed millions of pounds of food, nearly seven million meals and $1 million in baby formula. "I like to think we're providing hope as well as food," he said.
Access to programs in Los Angeles
Kiran Saluja, director of the federal WIC program, reported that there are at least 40,000 women, pregnant women, new mothers and children up to age five, in Los Angeles County, who are eligible for support but have not enrolled, despite the simple application forms and the 24- to 48-hour approval process.
He explained that all those who receive CalFresh, CalWorks or Medical automatically meet WIC eligibility requirements, as do those who earn $4,000 or less per month.
He also noted that undocumented people can qualify for support as long as they are under 5 years old, pregnant or breastfeeding women and are within the income guidelines of up to $ 4,86 for a family of 4 people.
Applicants are not questioned about their immigration status. "But there is such fear, we have found families who need food, but they don't want to be part of the program, despite all our efforts so that they can have the benefit of nutritious food."
The Economic Rescue Plan 2021 has been a great support for the program, as it has been able to provide an additional $35 in fruits and vegetables for each person, a situation that will remain until September, he said.
Individuals interested in learning more or qualifying for the WIC program can call 888 942 2229; or text 91997. In addition to being able to access the www.phfewic.org/apply
LaShonda Diggs, of the LA County Department of Public Social Services, said CalFresh currently helps 1.3 million people and is "one of the most effective anti-poverty programs in the county.
The head of the CalFresh program in LA County estimated that there are more than 1.5 million people who are potentially eligible but not receiving benefits.
"Some CalFresh participants can use their benefits at restaurants and farmers markets. The American Rescue Plan is increasing benefits by 15 percent through September," Diggs said, so a family of three making less than $3,620 a month can qualify for up to $660 a month.
"During the pandemic, for the first time, many residents applied for CalFresh as a result of losing their jobs. That's why it's important to spread the word that this program helps low-income families access healthy food," she said.
However, this program only applies to U.S. citizens or residents with low or no income documents, even if they own property.
Also, for mixed status families, and for those who are undocumented but have citizen children, because the family can apply for CalFresh for their children.
"For those who aren't sure if they qualify, we prefer that they apply and not eliminate themselves."
To apply for CalFresh, you can go to calfresh.org or call 866-613-3777 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
In addition, more information about CalFresh and other county programs can be found on the department's website: https://dpss.lacounty.gov/ .
Rigo Reyes, Director of the Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs, emphasized that immigrants can apply for food support programs without fear of negative repercussions from policies such as "public charge".
The final rule defines "public charge" as an alien receiving one or more public benefits for more than 12 months in total, within any 36-month period?for example, receipt of two benefits in one month counts as two months.
"It will take us a long time to undo the damage that has been done with the anti-immigrant rhetoric that went on for years," Reyes said, but he encouraged people to at least check their eligibility for benefits.
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