Eight months after the California wildfires, United Community Health Center (UCHC) shared the following report with BBF on how grant funding supported their disaster response and long-term recovery efforts.

Thanks to BBF’s support, UCHC was able to expand and adapt its disaster response strategy to meet the sharp rise in food assistance needs following the fires. The organization saw a significant increase in food pantry visitors, many seeking help for the first time. While its partnership with the American Heart Association provided fresh produce, community feedback revealed an urgent need for dry and canned goods. With BBF funding, UCHC purchased $25,000 of nonperishable food, hired a dedicated Food Pantry and Volunteer Coordinator, and made critical storage upgrades, including shelving and a commercial refrigerator.

UCHC reported the coordinator has been instrumental in strengthening response capacity by recruiting nearly 100 volunteers and ensuring the pantry could adjust quickly to changing needs. The grant also allowed UCHC to expand pantry operations and improve infrastructure to handle increased demand. In addition to managing volunteers, the coordinator assists families with enrolling in SNAP and other nutrition assistance programs, extending the impact well beyond immediate relief.

With these upgrades in place, UCHC has also been able to broaden services by offering food package delivery for senior patients unable to leave their homes. What began as an urgent response to the wildfires has since grown into a trusted and reliable source of support for South Los Angeles families, particularly Latino households facing poverty, food insecurity, and fear of immigration enforcement.