As the shutdown of the federal government shutdown continues to impact food benefits, a massive line built at a food distribution site at the Industry Hills Expo Center in Los Angeles County Wednesday morning.
The event was being hosted by Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis.
The drive-thru food distribution site was set up for those seeking food assistance amid the ongoing government shutdown, which has now become the longest in U.S. history.
Video from Sky5 showed several tents set up with volunteers handing out fresh and non-perishable foods to those who braved the long lines, which extended several blocks along Temple Boulevard in the City of Industry.
The event began at 9 a.m. and was expected to continue until noon, but the site remained active with community members still awaiting food.
“We’re fortunate to be distributing all this food—it’s about 46 pounds of food of shelf-stable, fresh produce and chickens that are going to homes of families that need it,” Olivia Servantes of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank said.
By 12 p.m., about 400 boxes of food remained on hand, but Servantes said they would be running out shortly, and urged anyone in need to visit LAFoodbank.org for additional resources and future events.
As SNAP benefits, otherwise known as food stamps, continue to be up in the air, on Wednesday, California lawmakers announced the state would provide millions in funding for local and state programs to keep residents fed through a partnership with the YMCA.