Hunger Awareness: L.A. Regional Foodbank Report

Via LA Observed comes a report from the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank on Hunger in L.A. County. Given the state of the economy and California's 12.4% unemployment rate, it shouldn't come as a surprise that a record number of people received food assistance last year. The report shows that almost 1 million L.A. County residents got assistance from food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters served by the Foodbank in 2009. That's nearly 1 in 10 residents. Of that, children make up 40 percent. In the last 4 years, the total number of people needing food assistance increased by 46 percent and the number of children needing help more than doubled. According to the report, "48 percent report having to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities, 46 percent choosing between food and rent, and 42 percent between food and transportation."

LA foodbank

Mario Batali volunteering at Kids Cafe in Carson