Años Dorados is a nonprofit community organization that operates a weekly food pantry serving seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and low-income families in underserved communities throughout Southeast Los Angeles County. Each week we distribute food to approximately 350 families, many of whom are elderly, veterans, living on fixed incomes, or facing food insecurity due to rising living costs. Our pantry supports seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, low-income families, immigrants, and multigenerational households who rely on our program to supplement their basic nutrition needs. We are especially grateful for fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy foods, and garden produce that help our clients maintain better health. Many of the seniors and veterans we serve struggle with chronic health conditions, so nutritious fresh food is extremely valuable to our community. We also appreciate kosher, halal, vegetarian foods, and culturally appropriate foods when available.
In addition to food, toiletries and basic hygiene items are also greatly appreciated. Años Dorados is committed to ensuring that vulnerable members of our community—especially seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities have consistent access to nutritious food with dignity and respect.
Please call ahead before arriving to ensure someone is available at the office to receive your donation, as we are often out in the community serving clients. A scheduled drop-off is preferred.
You may also email us to schedule a donation, especially if you are contacting us outside of normal office hours.
We gladly accept fresh fruits, vegetables, and extra produce from home gardens. Even small donations from backyard gardens can make a big difference for the seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and families we serve each week.
If you have a larger harvest, we may also be able to arrange a pick-up depending on volunteer availability.
Many of the seniors and veterans we serve live on very limited incomes and rarely have access to fresh produce, so your extra garden harvest can truly make a meaningful difference in their health and well-being.
To schedule a drop-off:
Phone: 888-668-5802
Email: [email protected]
ProducePedia
ProducePedia is a free resource that covers the types of fresh produce that can be delivered to food pantries. Each entry includes information on color, taste, and possible uses. People unfamiliar with the vegetable or fruit will learn how to use it, and those who are familiar with it still might learn a fun fact or two!
The Cooperative Extension sites have a wealth of information for any backyard gardener. Once you go to the site (each one if very different from the others) look for a link for “homes and gardens”, “landscape”, “consumer horticulture”, etc. to find information on improving your backyard garden. Neighboring state sites may offer information your own state’s site lacks.