JFSLA Distributes Thanksgiving Staples
Published by the Jewish Journal.
Every Thanksgiving, Jewish Family Service LA (JFSLA), the city’s oldest social service agency, plays an important role in ensuring that Angelenos have access to the groceries they need to have a Thanksgiving meal. This year, JFSLA staff and volunteers distributed Thanksgiving meal staples to 1,000 households across Los Angeles.
Year round, JFSLA’s SOVA Community Food and Resource Program ensures everyone in Los Angeles has access to fresh, healthy groceries, essential personal care items, and connections to additional resources that can support participants and their families. On Nov. 22, SOVA held its annual drive-thru Thanksgiving distribution at its two pantry locations in Pico-Robertson and Van Nuys.
“The work of SOVA extends beyond the holiday season, but Thanksgiving is a special time for our clients, staff, and volunteers,” JFSLA Director of SOVA Brittany Nazarian said.
With two food pantries and several pop-up pantries in the greater Los Angeles area, the SOVA Community Food and Resource Program serves as a lifeline for thousands of families throughout the year, offering a host of services, including groceries, care items, and connections to additional resources. In 2024 alone, SOVA distributed three million pounds of food to 23,000 Angelenos who visited SOVA pantries 57,000 times.
This year’s distribution served 1,000 households and more than 1,700 individual clients. Those who attended were given turkey, potatoes, yams, stuffing, cranberries, green beans and canned pie fruit–“everything needed for a Thanksgiving dinner,” according to JFSLA leadership.
“Access to food resources remains a pressing challenge, as over one million Angelenos face food insecurity,” Nazarian said. “JFSLA’s SOVA Community Food and Resource Program is proud to support our neighbors, whether it be at Thanksgiving or any time of year.”
In total, 16 staff members and 30 volunteers helped pass out groceries at the two drive-thru centers, and a week prior, 40 volunteers came together to help pack and organize 1,900 bags of food.
