CREATEHungry Souls: Nourishing Military Families
Hungry Souls is a veteran-led initiative providing monthly grocery assistance to 170 California National Guard, Reservists, and Veterans facing food insecurity. With $50 per family per month, this program delivers dignity, stability, and nourishment through culturally relevant food support and community partnerships—ensuring that those who’ve served can thrive, not just survive.
What is the primary issue area that your application will impact?
Income inequality
In which areas of Los Angeles will you be directly working?
South LA San Gabriel Valley Gateway Cities
In what stage of innovation is this project, program, or initiative?
Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)
What is your understanding of the issue that you are seeking to address?
Food insecurity is a persistent and often invisible crisis among our military community, especially for California National Guard members, Reservists, and Veterans. These individuals face a unique set of challenges—unpredictable deployments, inconsistent income, and limited access to support services. Despite having served their country, many struggle quietly with basic needs like securing consistent, nutritious meals. Traditional food assistance programs often overlook them, leaving a critical gap in care. This not only affects physical health but contributes to emotional stress, social isolation, and long-term instability.
Describe the project, program, or initiative this grant will support to address the issue.
The Hungry Souls Program is a veteran-led food assistance initiative created to restore dignity, resilience, and wellness for military-affiliated individuals experiencing food insecurity. With a focus on California National Guard members, Reservists, and Veterans, Hungry Souls offers consistent, monthly support in the form of $50 worth of nutritious, culturally relevant groceries to over 170 families annually. This is more than a food program—it’s a community-centered movement. In partnership with local food banks and volunteer networks, we distribute groceries and hot meals while fostering a sense of connection and care. Participants are not only fed—they are seen, valued, and supported. Through this program, we aim to reduce stress, improve health outcomes, and empower service members and veterans to reclaim stability and hope.
Describe how Los Angeles County will be different if your work is successful.
Hungry Souls success will reduce food insecurity for over 2,000 individuals in Los Angeles in its first year. Monthly grocery support will ease financial strain and improve access to nutritious meals for military families. The emotional impact is just as profound—this program honors service members with consistent care and restores their sense of dignity. Participants will feel less isolated and more resilient. Long-term, we envision stronger, healthier veteran households with less reliance on emergency food aid. As we strengthen food bank partnerships, engage volunteers, and diversify funding through grants and community fundraising, the program will scale to more regions. Our vision is a county where no service member goes hungry and every veteran feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.
Approximately how many people will be impacted by this project, program, or initiative?
Direct Impact: 2,000
Indirect Impact: 5,000