Eastmont Community Center: Serving East Los Angeles for Over 50 Years

Eastmont Community Center, an agency based in East Los Angeles and a partner of the LA Regional Food Bank, provides weekly food assistance to 300 families to mitigate the effects of economic instability in the region.

The center has operated in the community since 1968, evolving from a small-scale operation into a significant distribution hub. The current food distribution model provides each family with between 80 and 120 pounds of food per visit, an amount designed to sustain a household for one to two weeks.

Operational Scope and Resource Distribution

The distributions managed by Eastmont Community Center include a variety of groceries to meet the needs of local residents. To address the comprehensive needs of the households they serve, the center also provides pet food during its distributions.

Brenda Mata, the Operations Manager at Eastmont Community Center, stated that the organization’s goal is to empower families so they can move beyond basic survival toward economic stability.

We want them not only to survive, but to thrive, to promote economic stability with all of our programs.

Brenda Mata, Operations Manager at Eastmont Community Center

Economic Drivers of Food Insecurity

The demand for these services is linked to broader economic pressures affecting Los Angeles County. According to the center, the rising cost of living and reductions in public benefits, specifically CalFresh, have increased the difficulty for families to maintain financial solvency.

The center’s role as a partner agency allows it to bridge the gap for residents who must choose between essential needs. Mata noted that the assistance provided by the center can be the determining factor in whether families are able to afford both food and their primary living expenses.

Just being able to help them out makes a difference. It’s the difference between families being able to put food on their table, and being able to pay their bills and rent.

Brenda Mata, Operations Manager at Eastmont Community Center

By leveraging its partnership with the LA Regional Food Bank, Eastmont Community Center maintains a consistent supply chain to support hundreds of individuals who line up weekly for food resources.