Local food pantries in South Los Angeles reported stepping up operations this week as a federal government shutdown disrupted benefit distributions and threatened to increase demand.

A pantry staff member on site said volunteers and partner groups have bolstered supplies. "We have College Corps volunteers. We have work experience volunteers and also from our partners. And this is kind of a typical day. A little busier, with the activity, just because we're preparing for getting more food out to our partner agencies," the staff member said.

The staff member also warned the timing is difficult coming into the holidays. "This is a stressful time because the holidays are coming up, and that's when people really need food," they said.

Officials and volunteers described multiple sources of help at the distribution site, including members of College Corps, partner organizations coordinated through California Volunteers, and personnel from the California National Guard. Those groups were reported as assisting with handling produce and increasing the pantry's throughput to reach partner agencies.

Pantry staff highlighted one concrete impact of the shutdown on benefits: "CalFresh typically goes out the first of every month through the tenth, so that's being interrupted," the staff member said. The pantry representative did not provide specific counts of people affected or dollar amounts of aid delayed.

Rachel Aragon, reporting live from South Los Angeles, described the scene of increased activity at the pantry and volunteers preparing more food for distribution.

No formal policy actions or votes were reported in the segment. Pantry staff said they were focused on short-term distribution and coordination with volunteer groups to meet immediate needs through the holiday period.