Written by Huiping Wang and Hsin Yi Lee
Translated by H.B. Qin
Edited by Ida Eva Zielinska
The U.S. federal government shutdown in 2025 disrupted many public services and strained household budgets, with interruptions in food assistance adding pressure for families already struggling to keep food on the table. Demand at food banks surged, and families with elderly relatives and young children were among those most affected.
In response, Tzu Chi USA National Headquarters expanded service during its food distribution at Santana High School in La Puente, Los Angeles County, on November 10. With the shutdown having reached 40 days by that point, the team served around 270 families, up from about 200 in similar distributions. With Thanksgiving approaching, volunteers hoped this added support would help families face the holiday with fuller tables and a greater sense of stability.
Long Lines Greet Dawn Light; Prayers and Blessings Warm Hearts
By early morning, a substantial line had already formed as Tzu Chi volunteers arrived at Santana High School. The volunteer team guided families to queue in an orderly manner and explained important details before the food distribution began. Tzu Chi USA Charity Development Director Wenli Tsey led everyone in heartfelt prayers, expressing gratitude and offering blessings that each family might feel Tzu Chi’s love and care throughout the approaching Thanksgiving season.
Sally Luna, who came to receive food, shared that she once had a stable job but was unable to work due to colon cancer. She now relies on Supplemental Security Income to get by. However, after her CalFresh benefits were stopped, her family of three suddenly faced hardship, forcing her to seek support from different food banks. She said she learned about this distribution through Instagram and decided to come. It was her first time receiving food from Tzu Chi.
I’m glad that there’s people out there that care and want to help others. We might look OK, but on the inside, they don’t know what happens behind closed doors. And we are struggling.
“We’re hurting at home. We do have empty shelves and we do run out of groceries,” Luna shared. “You can see the line, how long it is. We all struggle. It’s not easy. We try to make ends meet. We do work, but we’re still low income. Regardless, we work, we buy groceries, we’re still low.” Recalling how she felt when her food assistance stopped, she said she broke down in tears.
That day, receiving a full load of food from Tzu Chi, she expressed excitement that these supplies would sustain her for three weeks and ensure her Thanksgiving dinner table wouldn’t be empty. Seeing the abundance of food prepared by Tzu Chi moved her deeply, and she was relieved that her refrigerator would be stocked, along with many other households in line that day.
Many Hands Joined in Service
Volunteer turnout was especially strong during the November 10 distribution, with students, families, and community members joining the effort alongside familiar faces who return month after month. Working in coordinated teams, they helped keep the event running smoothly.
Schools encourage students to participate in volunteer service, giving them a chance to experience the joy of helping others. Some of the students assisting that day had participated multiple times and have grown more confident with each visit, skillfully distributing supplies and interacting with recipients with increasingly natural smiles.
Issac Cao grew up attending Tzu Chi Academy and now volunteers with the Tzu Chi Collegiate Association. At the distribution, his prior volunteer experience made him familiar with the workflow and procedures. Cao shared that serving the community and seeing families leave with smiles brings him a deep sense of fulfillment.
Sandra Jou brought her three children to volunteer. With the school district on break, she hoped her children could learn gratitude and appreciation through acts of kindness. “I find today’s activity deeply meaningful,” she said. “It not only exposes children to real-world issues but also gives them a chance to understand, care, and actively participate in serving their community. I think it’s truly invaluable to cultivate this mindset early, to teach children to contribute to society and support others.” Seeing her children willingly give back filled her with joy, and she hoped they could all grow into compassionate individuals.
Cathy Dunne, a volunteer with the Rowland Heights Women’s Club, participates in nearly every distribution. “I love it. It’s so wonderful to be able to give back to the community. To provide food to people who could really use it. We’re so blessed that we have so much abundance, and to share it is just a wonderful ability,” she shared. She cherishes serving here because seeing smiles on people’s faces and knowing she is helping the community brings her immense happiness.
Meeting Increased Community Needs
Wenli Tsey, Tzu Chi USA’s Director of Charity Development, said that this distribution marked the first food aid effort since the government shutdown began, coinciding with a noticeable surge in community demand for food assistance. Additionally, the distribution was timed ahead of Thanksgiving to help ensure families could have enough on the table to observe the holiday with dignity and peace of mind.
Tzu Chi volunteers prepared extra food supplies in advance, hoping to do their part during this challenging period and assist more families in need.
According to Tsey, while previous distributions assisted around 200 households, this one served 70 more. Many area residents continued arriving even after the event was in full swing, clearly demonstrating the impact of suspended government food stamps on family livelihoods. Tsey hoped that the situation would ease soon, and said that Tzu Chi would continue preparing ample supplies to meet community needs.
Tzu Chi volunteers are always ready to stand alongside the communities they serve during challenging times, including periods of uncertainty such as the 2025 U.S. federal government shutdown. Through simple yet meaningful actions, they offer both practical support and human connection. Your love and care empower food distributions like this one and more from coast to coast across the country.
