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Across Los Angeles, families are worried about how they will afford groceries this week. The federal government shutdown has disrupted food assistance for millions of people across the country, including more than 600,000 residents in Los Angeles who depend on CalFresh to buy food. A federal judge ordered the government to continue funding the program, but many families may still face delays before their benefits arrive.
Food insecurity was already widespread before this crisis began. Nearly one in four Angelenos struggles to afford enough food, and in Council District 5, about 29,000 residents (11%) live below the poverty line. That includes older adults on fixed incomes who face impossible choices when grocery prices rise or benefits are interrupted. Hunger exists in every community, and it affects far more of our neighbors than most of us realize.
City departments and community partners are working to fill the gap. FamilySource Centers are distributing groceries every week. The Department of Aging and Recreation and Parks are providing regular meals to seniors. The LA Regional Food Bank, LAUSD, and YMCA’s FeedLA program have all expanded their food distributions to meet growing needs.
If you or someone you know needs help, here is a list of resources: |
City-Provided Resources
- FamilySource Centers operated by the Community Investment for Families Department provide weekly food distribution for low-income individuals and families regardless of immigration status. Click here to find a center near you.
- The Department of Aging provides a senior meal program. If you are a senior citizen over the age of 60, you may be eligible for free meals at a local senior center or through home delivery. For Information, call 1-800-510-2020 or email age.webinfo@lacity.org
- LA City Recreation & Parks Senior Citizen Centers continue distributing regular senior meals in coordination with the Department of Aging.
County/State Resources & Other Assistance
- LA Regional Food Bank is operating additional pop-up sites and drive-through pantries across the region to reach more families. Find a Food Bank near you here or call 323-234-3030.
- LAUSD Meal Services for Students: California guarantees two free meals daily for all public school students, Monday-Friday. LAUSD also distributes weekend meal kits for Saturday and Sunday through Grab & Go Food Centers. More information is available here or call LAUSD’s Family Hotline at 213-443-1300.
- LA County Parks & Recreation: The department offers food programs for youth, teens, and seniors. To Learn More, visit www.parks.lacounty.gov/lacounty-parks-food-programs.
- L.A. Care Health Plan has committed up to $5.4 million to help ensure families can access food during the federal funding lapse. You can find more information here.
- WIC (Women, Infants & Children Program): All California WIC agencies are currently operational. Government employees who are furloughed/working without pay may qualify for WIC, if they are pregnant or have a child under age 5, and are encouraged to apply and get WIC to help with grocery costs, even if it’s only temporary. To apply for WIC, visit www.startwic.org or text “APPLY” to 91997. To find a WIC location and operation hours, visit https://phfewic.org/en/home
- California Association of Food Banks, the organization that represents 42 food banks throughout the state will continue to operate. Click here for more information.
- YMCA FeedLA is expanding distribution dates and times to meet the needs for families losing CalFresh benefits. Produce Distribution Sites are available here.
- DoorDash, a food delivery platform, plans to deliver 1 million meals for 300+ Project DASH partners nationwide, waiving delivery and service fees for 300,000 SNAP recipient grocery orders.
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If you are in a position to help, please consider donating to a local food bank or volunteering with a neighborhood organization. These programs keep people fed and connected, especially during moments like this when uncertainty is highest.
All my best,
Katy |
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HOA Presidents Breakfast Meetings
Last week, I hosted two breakfasts for presidents of homeowners associations – plus the president of the Park La Brea Residents Association – from across Council District 5 at our new district office. When I first took office, my team and I started these gatherings to create space for neighborhood leaders to share what they’re seeing on the ground, exchange ideas, and work together on solutions. Many of the challenges our neighborhoods face are similar, and these meetings often lead to helpful conversations about what’s working in other parts of the district. We were joined by Board of Public Works Commissioners Steve Kang and Faith Mitchell, City Planning representative Denzel Henderson, and LAPD leadership, who shared updates on service levels, SB 79 implementation, and public safety. These breakfasts have become an important tool in connecting City Hall with the neighborhoods we serve, and I’m grateful for those who joined us. |
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Town Hall with Park La Brea Residents Association
On Thursday, I joined members of the Park La Brea Residents Association for a Town Hall meeting. We discussed several issues that are top of mind for residents, including potential changes to the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance on allowable rent increases, asbestos concerns, utility costs, and city services. I’m grateful to the PLBRA for hosting and to everyone who came out to share their perspectives and experiences. |
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Holocaust Museum Hard Hat Tour
Last week, I toured the expansion of Holocaust Museum LA, which will double the museum’s size. The expansion will include a 200-seat state-of-the-art theater, a 3,000 square foot gallery for special exhibits, a 50-seat theater for an interactive holographic survivor exhibit, and an exhibit pavilion housing an authentic railroad boxcar that was unearthed in Poland. After the expansion, HMLA will be able to educate nearly one million students from around the LA region each year. With the Metro D Line extension, the new LACMA building, and potential World Cup events on the horizon, it’s an exciting time for this part of the District. |
3rd ANNUAL GREAT PUMPKIN BASH
Thank you to everyone who joined us at Pan Pacific Park for our 3rd Annual Great Pumpkin Bash! It was an incredible day celebrating community and sustainability with more than a thousand neighbors, families, and friends.
A special thank you goes out to our fabulous partners and sponsors who made the day possible: Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, Pan Pacific Park, Board of Public Works, (BACK TO BACK WORLD SERIES WINNING) Los Angeles Dodgers, Audacy Media, Du-par’s, Angelini Osteria, Perfect Party LA Jumpers, Lilia Pro Dance Studios, Nikki Legesse from the Ethiopian-American Chamber of Commerce, Mid City West Neighborhood Council, Café Knotted, Athens Services, Los Angeles Parks Foundation, Save Beverly Fairfax, Pico Neighborhood Council, and LASAN. We are so grateful to everyone who came out to make this year’s Pumpkin Bash such a success. Your energy and enthusiasm help make Council District 5 a strong and connected community. We can’t wait to see you again next year for more pumpkin smashing, more fun, and more community spirit! |
A Clean Sweep on Pico
Last week, the dedicated maintenance team from the Bureau of Street Services performed street sweeping in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood along both sides of Pico Boulevard. This might seem like an unremarkable development to most, but regular street sweeping along commercial corridors was a service the city stopped performing due to COVID-era budget cuts. As budget chair, I’d like the City to get back to a place where we provide this really basic and important service again. My team has been working for months to bring LADOT and BSS together to make this happen on Pico, and my hope is that it will now become more regular. This is one of many improvements my team and I are working to bring to the area. Check back in the coming months as we’ll have some exciting news to share. |
Thank you to Our Partners for a Successful Pico-Robertson Neighborhood Cleanup
Last week, more than 100 volunteers joined together for the Pico-Robertson Neighborhood Cleanup to help keep the area clean and welcoming. Together, we collected about 4,000 pounds of trash and bulky items. I’m grateful to our partners, including the Los Angeles Sanitation Department, Los Angeles Conservation Corps, Office of Community Beautification, Boaz Hepner, Jewish Federation Los Angeles, LAPD, Intiwasi Spanish Immersion School for hosting our volunteers, and the South Robertson Neighborhood Council for their support. |
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Save Beverly Fairfax - Third Annual Block Party
Last weekend, I attended the annual Save Beverly Fairfax Block Party, celebrating the Beverly Fairfax Historic District and the community that makes this neighborhood so special. Moments like these, when neighbors come together to share time and conversation, are so important to keeping our communities connected and strong. Thank you to Save Beverly Fairfax for hosting such a fun event.
Streetlights Fixed in Century City
Over the past two weeks, my office has worked with the Bureau of Street Lighting to restore lights along Avenue of the Stars, Empyrean Way, Century Park East, and nearby streets. Streetlight outages are a challenge across the city, and we continue to work closely with the Bureau to make sure service requests throughout the district get timely attention. If you notice lighting issues in your area, please contact your field representative, who can help track and support your 311 requests. |
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Ad Hoc Committee on the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games
On Wednesday, the Ad Hoc Committee on the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games held a special meeting to review ongoing preparation efforts. The Bureau of Contract Administration shared updates on how the Games can create economic opportunities for local communities, and representatives from LA28 provided an overview of their current work.
LAPD Overtime Motion
Also on Wednesday, the City Council approved my motion to allocate $150,000 from Council District 5’s discretionary funds to support additional LAPD patrols across the district. The funding will help provide targeted public safety coverage in West LA, Wilshire, Pacific, and Olympic Divisions. My office will continue working closely with LAPD to ensure these resources are deployed where they are needed most and that residents feel safe in their neighborhoods. |
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Celebrating Angelini Osteria at the Great Pumpkin Bash
On Saturday, my office recognized Angelini Osteria during the 3rd Annual Great Pumpkin Bash for 25 years of continuous service in Los Angeles. When Chef Gino and Elizabeth Angelini opened their restaurant on Beverly Boulevard in 2001, it quickly became one of the city’s most beloved destinations for authentic Italian cuisine. To mark this milestone, Angelini Osteria served its signature pumpkin lasagna at the Pumpkin Bash, hosted by our partners at Melrose Action. Guests also enjoyed a taste of their seasonal pumpkin tortellini, a fall favorite that has earned a loyal following over the years. |
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Join Us for Our Mural Community Input Meeting: 3215 Overland Ave
Our office is partnering with Arts Bridging the Gap to bring new public art to the Palms neighborhood, and we want your input. Together, we’ll design a large-scale mural at 3215 Overland Avenue, which will span 20 feet high and 150 feet wide.
Join representatives from Council District 5 and Arts Bridging the Gap to contribute to the mural’s vision and design.
November 13 at 6:00 PM
Iman Cultural Center (3376 Motor Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034).
Lime Offers Free Rides from Vote Early Day to Election Day
Lime is helping voters get to the polls this Election Week by removing transportation barriers. From October 28 through November 4, use code VOTE2025 in the Lime app for 2 free 30-minute rides to your polling place.
Council District Five Internship Opportunities
Our office is now accepting college or graduate-level interns to join our District Office team for the Spring and Summer semesters. Interns will gain hands-on experience in city government, working directly with staff on community engagement, constituent services, and policy research. This is a great opportunity for students interested in public service to contribute to meaningful work while learning how local government operates. Learn more about the role here. Applications due by October 20, 2025.
LA28 Procurement Series Webinar
LA28 is hosting the next session in its Procurement Series to help small and local businesses access contracting opportunities for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This webinar will include a preview of LA28’s upcoming Procurement Plan and highlight opportunities in the Food and Beverage sector.
Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PT
Location: Virtual (link provided upon registration)
Please register here to confirm your attendance.
Westwood Boulevard Safety and Mobility Project
The Westwood Boulevard Safety and Mobility Project begins its first phase of outreach to hear your priorities, concerns, and ideas for improving safety and closing critical gaps in the transportation network. With important connections to Westwood Village, UCLA, Metro E-line, and future Metro D-line, the project aims to create a safer, seamless street for people walking, biking, driving, and taking transit.
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If you have any need pertaining to the City of Los Angeles, please reach out:
City Hall Office
200 N. Spring Street, Suite 440
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 473-7005
(323) 866-1828
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Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 Unsubscribe |
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