A soup kitchen in Los Angeles, the United States has seen growing demands for free meals as American families are struggling to afford adequate food.
Every morning, dozens of people line up as early as 08:00 to get a free hot meal at Bread and Roses, a soup kitchen run by the St. Joseph Center in Los Angeles.
The majority of the clients are unemployed and homeless, and their numbers have grown in recent years.
"Honestly, the cost of living is just crushing people right now. Even folks with jobs can't afford rent and food at the same time, and with a lot of the support programs getting cut, more people are slipping through the cracks. Bread and Roses is one of the only spots left where you can come in, sit down, eat a real meal, not be judged and that is what makes a difference," said James Cunningham, head chef of Bread and Roses.
Food insecurity is on the rise in the United States. A report by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows a steady increase in the number of American families struggling to provide enough food because of inflation and a roll-back of COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts.
In 2023, around 13.5 percent of households were "food insecure", said the USDA report, which was about 18 million families, putting more strain on the country's largest hunger-relief network -- the food banks.
Experts say the expiration of the pandemic-era programs along with stagnant wages and the rising costs of living have played a significant part.
In addition, the Trump administration has cut about a billion dollars in federal funding for hunger relief programs and 500 million U.S. dollars in expected food deliveries. This has left food banks scrambling for resources.
With government assistance dwindling, places like soup kitchens and food banks are becoming the last safety net for vulnerable individuals and families facing food insecurity in the U.S.
Los Angeles soup kitchen sees growing demands as food insecurity grips US
Los Angeles soup kitchen sees growing demands as food insecurity grips US
Los Angeles soup kitchen sees growing demands as food insecurity grips US
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
