Helping Hands: Food Pantries Support HIV Community in Los Angeles

The food pantry at APLA Health is a vital resource for people living with HIV in Los Angeles. Tom Kaiser visits the Vance North Necessities of Life Program every week. He says he no longer needs to buy groceries for himself because the pantry supplies enough food to keep him fed. The program is the biggest in the country that focuses on HIV clients. It sends food and basic supplies to more than a dozen other pantries across the county. Jeff Bailey, the senior director of HIV Access Programs, explains that the pantry is a lifesaver for many.John Carey, who lives with HIV and has no job, says the pantry keeps his household afloat. “We’re both unemployed, so groceries are hard to afford, ” he says. The pantry offers a variety of items. Ramiro Salazar jokes about the importance of toilet paper, noting that even during COVID shortages the pantry always had enough for its clients. APLA Health offers many services to the LGBTQ+ community, but none of them run without volunteers. Salazar thanks a team from ABC7 for helping with a day of service, bringing groceries and hygiene products. The pantry’s success shows how community support can make a real difference in people’s lives.