Eastmont’s Community Partnerships Drive Year-Round Food Access in East LA

In East Los Angeles, where families rely on community institutions for support, one partnership has emerged as a steady force in the fight against hunger. Eastmont Community Center and The Kroger Co., through its Food 4 Less, Foods Co., and Ralphs divisions, have built a collaboration that transforms seasonal giving into sustained support. It is a relationship rooted in shared purpose, consistent engagement, and a commitment to ensuring that neighbors have access to nutritious food year-round.

Eastmont’s Thanksgiving celebrations bring that partnership into focus. This year, the event provided 38,419 lbs of food, 505 turkeys, and 946 hot meals, all powered in large part by Kroger’s leadership as Presenting Sponsor. But the collaboration extends well beyond the distribution line. Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative aligns with Eastmont’s long-standing mission to support food-insecure families through dignity-centered services, educational programs, and resource navigation.

“Partnerships like this are how we create lasting change,” said Salvador Ramirez, Corporate Affairs at Kroger. “It’s about more than food—it’s about building trust and resilience in the communities we serve. We thank Eastmont for welcoming us into their home.”

This year’s celebration was also strengthened by a broad network of community partners whose support helped bring the event to life.

At the center of Eastmont’s food access work stands the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank; an anchor partner whose year-round support makes large-scale distribution possible. Their consistency, logistical leadership, and ability to mobilize high-quality food at scale form the backbone of Eastmont’s pantry operations and holiday events alike.

Additional in-kind support from Niagara Cares, USG, and Lineage Foundation for Good helped ensure families left with both essentials and a sense of celebration. Joining them were Gold Community Partners California Water Service and Lineage Foundation for Good’s additional funding support; Preferred Bank as Silver Supporter; and Friends of Eastmont including SoCalGas, Adventist Health White Memorial, First Citizens Bank, Via Care Community Health Center, and North Star Alliances. Together, these partners reflect a shared belief in uplifting East Los Angeles families and demonstrate the collective impact that generosity, mission alignment, and community purpose can achieve.

“Partnerships like this allow us to expand our reach and serve families with consistency,” said Eastmont Executive Director Isaias Hernandez. “It’s not just about providing food. It’s about standing with our community in meaningful, reliable ways.”

As Eastmont Community Center looks ahead to 2026, the organization remains committed to strengthening these partnerships while welcoming new collaborators to expand programs that ensure every family in East LA has reliable access to nutritious food.

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