Hsi Lai Temple Joins Community Food Distribution Effort, Delivering Care and Hope
Report by Lin Haiyan, The Life News Agency, Los Angeles, USA
On April 29, 2026, Venerable Hui Cheng of the Department of Social Education and Outreach at Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple and Ms. Avelyn Busch, Vice President of the BLIA Los Angeles Chapter, led a team of 10 BLIA members to the El Monte Food Distribution Center. Arriving before 7:30 a.m., the volunteers participated in a community food distribution service organized by Los Angeles County First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, serving the community until noon.
The event was jointly organized by the Office of Los Angeles County First District, the cities of South El Monte and El Monte, along with several community organizations. Fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, canned goods, and other essential food items were prepared for distribution, with the goal of serving more than 2,000 families and to help meet the basic living needs of vulnerable populations in the community.
Before the event began, Venerable Hui Cheng encouraged the volunteers to serve with compassion and joy, embodying Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s spirit of “giving people confidence, giving people joy, giving people hope, and giving people convenience.” He urged volunteers to greet recipients with smiles and kindness so that those receiving assistance could experience the warmth and care of Fo Guang members.
The distribution proceeded smoothly and efficiently. Volunteers from various organizations worked together in an orderly and cooperative manner, each fulfilling their responsibilities. Community members arrived in large numbers and left with smiles and gratitude as they received much-needed food supplies, reflecting the spirit of mutual support and goodwill within the community.
During his remarks, Michael Flood, Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, noted that Los Angeles County, particularly the First Supervisorial District, is facing increasing economic challenges. As federal budget reductions and adjustments to public assistance programs such as CalFresh continue, the demand for food assistance has steadily increased. He emphasized the importance of partnerships among food banks, local governments, and community organizations in providing timely support to those in need.
Supervisor Hilda L. Solis also addressed the gathering, highlighting the impact of inflation on families throughout the San Gabriel Valley. Rising costs of fuel, food, and everyday necessities have placed a significant burden on residents, with some prices increasing by more than 15 percent. At the same time, access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and childcare continues to face growing pressure. In light of these challenges, she stressed the importance of continued collaboration between government agencies and community organizations to provide support and care for families in need.
Supervisor Solis expressed her appreciation to all volunteers, including police volunteer teams, community volunteers, and partner organizations, whose dedication contributed to the success of the event. She noted that food distribution programs such as this have been held numerous times in the El Monte area and will continue in the future.
Through its participation in this community service initiative, the BLIA Los Angeles Chapter demonstrated its commitment to caring for society and serving others while putting into practice Humanistic Buddhism’s mission of “benefiting society through charitable service.”
Photo Captions (01-10 by Chang Chih-Cheng)
