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Food

LESD FREE Food Distribution

A bright orange poster lists dates, times, and locations for food distribution events in the foreground, with a colorful tree logo and district name at the top and county health department logos at the bottom in the background.
Join us for a free food distribution open to all families! Dates are subject to change.
 
Thursday, September 24 — Carson / FDR Elementary
3530 W 147th St, Hawthorne, CA 90250
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
 
Thursday, October 22 — Green Elementary
4520 W 168th St, Lawndale, CA 90260
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
 
Saturday, November 14 — Anderson Elementary
4130 W 154th St, Lawndale, CA 90260
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
 
Wednesday, December 16 — Smith Elementary
4521 W 147th St, Lawndale, CA 90260
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
 
Friday, January 22 — Smith Elementary
4521 W 147th St, Lawndale, CA 90260
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
 
Thursday, February 25 — Rogers Middle School
4110 W 154th St, Lawndale, CA 90260
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
 
Thursday, March 25 — Anderson Elementary
4130 W 154th St, Lawndale, CA 90260
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
 
Thursday, April 15 — Twain Elementary
3728 W 154th St, Lawndale, CA 90260
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
 
Thursday, May 20 — Addams Middle School 
4535 W. 153rd Place, Lawndale, CA, 90260
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

 

CalFresh

CalFresh Logo

CalFresh, federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), issues monthly electronic benefits that can be used to buy most foods at many markets and food stores. The CalFresh Program helps to improve the health and well-being of qualified households and individuals by providing them a means to meet their nutritional needs. The amount of benefits you can receive is dependent on your family size, countable income, and monthly expenses such as housing, utilities, and so forth.

All U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent Resident children may qualify to receive CalFresh benefits, regardless of where the parents were born. Parents may also qualify for benefits if all other program guidelines are met. Individuals with no children also may qualify.

The program issues monthly benefits that can be used to buy most foods at many markets and food stores. These benefits are issued on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card which looks like any other credit card.

You do not have to be on welfare to get CalFresh benefits. Eligibility for CalFresh assistance, as well as the benefit amount, is based on your household’s size and income level.

Read more about CalFresh

Need help applying? 

Our partners at the Providence Wellness and Activity Center can help you apply through the Community Health Insurance Program! Contact them to set up an appointment by

  • Phone: (310) 303-6784
  • Email: chip@providence.org
  • Or visit us Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM at 4161 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Lawndale, CA 90260

CalFresh Qualifications

 

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Program

WIC-Logo

In California, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) is a public health program that supports pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under five who meet income guidelines by providing healthy foods, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and referrals to community services.

To qualify, families must meet income guidelines and have a nutritional need determined at the WIC appointment. In California, families use a WIC card (an electronic benefits card, similar to a debit card) to buy approved foods at grocery stores and farmers markets that accept WIC.

WIC: Families Grow Healthy- English (PDF)

WIC: Families Grow Healthy- Spanish (PDF)

WIC: Families Grow Healthy-Vietnamese (PDF)

LA County Parks Food Programs (For Youth, Teens & Seniors)

LA County Parks Seal
LA County Parks offers free nutrition programs that support the health and well-being of community members of all ages. These programs are designed to ensure children, teens, and seniors have access to wholesome meals and snacks that promote healthy living and strong communities.
 
Through the Free Hot Supper Program, teens ages 12–18 can enjoy an evening meal at participating park locations, providing a safe and welcoming space to gather after school. Youth ages 17 and under may also participate in the Free Youth Snack Program, which offers healthy snacks in a structured and supportive environment each afternoon. In addition, Senior Nutrition Programs provide balanced meals that encourage wellness, connection, and active living among older adults.
 
Visit the LA County Parks Website for Participating Locations.  
 

Local Food Centers

Call 211 or visit
They are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is free and confidential to call.
 
Food Pantry LAX
Tuesday & Friday 9:15 AM - noon
1355 East Beach Avenue
Inglewood, CA 90302
(310) 677-5597
 
St. Margaret’s Center
Monday intake appointment
10217 Inglewood Avenue
Lennox, CA 90304
(310) 672-2208
 
The South Bay Outreach Center
Call for intake interview
4046 Marine Avenue
Lawndale, CA 90260
(310) 675-1384
 
Hawthorne S.D.A. Church
1st & 3rd Sunday 10 AM - 12 PM
3939 Marine Ave
Hawthorne, CA 90250
(310) 676-4313
 
St. Paul's Methodist Church
1st Thursday 9 AM - 11 PM
2600 Nelson Ave
Redondo Beach, CA 90278
(310) 370-4319
 
United University Church Bethesda Presbyterian Church
Thursday 2 PM - 4 PM
14404 S. Crenshaw Blvd
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 515-8526
 
Del Aire Baptist Church
Schedule varies, call or visit the website
4951 W. 119th Place Hawthorne, CA 90250
(310) 676-8352
Cornell Powell
Wednesday 1 PM - 2:30 PM &
Saturday 10 AM - 11:30 AM
12950 S. Prairie Ave
Hawthorne, CA 90250
(323) 578-8262
 
New Rock of Ages Baptist Church
Saturday 11 AM - 2 PM
12946 S. Prairie Ave
Hawthorne, CA 90250
(310) 692-7295
 
Ancon Club Los Angeles
2nd & 4th Saturday 10 AM - 12 PM
15307 Crenshaw Blvd
Gardena, CA 90249
 
Assembly of God Of Hawthorne
Sunday 12 PM - 1:30 PM
Wednesday 7:30 PM - 9 PM
3841 W. 130th St.
Hawthorne, CA 90250
(310) 675-4137
 
ICNA Relief
2nd Tuesday 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
12209 Hawthorne Way
Hawthorne, CA 90250
(714) 399-4571
 
Encounter Community Church
2nd Wednesday 9 AM - 11 AM
18749 Crenshaw Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90504
(310) 323-2115
 
Curtis Tucker Center
2nd & 4th Thursday 10 AM - 12 PM
123 W Manchester Blvd
Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 419-5325
 
Greater New Bethel Baptist Church
2nd Tuesday and 4th
Thursday 10 AM - 1 PM
601 E. 99th Street
Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 677-1663

Food Bank Search

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
You can use the Food Bank’s food pantry locator for additional centers:
 
Westside Food Bank:
 
Feeding America 
 
California Association of Food Banks
 
Aging & Disabilities Department Food Pantries: ad.lacounty.gov
California Department of Aging: (800) 510-2020

LA Community Fridges: lacommunityfridges.com

Food Finders: foodfinders.org

Project Food Box: projectfoodbox.org

Rfoodx: rfoodx.com (may be covered through programs like Medi-Cal/CalAIM, Medicaid, Medicare, case managers, or certain health plans)

Mobile Food Market

Mobile Food Market
(2nd and 4th Tuesday of the Month until they run out)
VCC: Torrance Pediatrics
2228 Sepulveda Blvd
Torrance, CA 90501
(844) 308-5003
 
VCC Pediatrics Mobile Market Van