Food Pantry Helping People With HIV in Orange County

Irvine food pantry.

Food insecurity remains a serious issue for the many underserved Orange County residents living with chronic health conditions. For those who are HIV+ or living with disabilities, the Radiant Health Centers nutrition services and food pantry continue to be a source of healthy, nourishing meals. As food insecurity in the county rises – climbing from 8.5% in 2018 to a projected 13.7% today – access to nutritional programs is more important than ever.

Nourishing the Orange County Community at Our Food Pantry

Radiant Health Centers’ food pantry is an important resource for hundreds of individuals and families throughout Orange County. Along with offering groceries and prepared meals, the pantry provides medically appropriate meals for those with allergies and other dietary needs. And to help maintain a well-balanced diet, eligible patients can also receive dietary supplements, vitamins and nutritional counseling from a registered dietitian.

In 2023, the pantry served over 164 families affected by HIV. Access to consistent, nutritious meals was vital for these community members, and allowed them to focus on their treatment and well-being without the added stress of securing daily meals.

March 2025 is an important time for the food pantry, with changes coming to expand access to this needed service. This month, the eligibility requirements will be updated to remove the disability requirement and increase the income threshold to 200% of the federal poverty level. This change means that more individuals and families will qualify for assistance and gain access to this lifeline.

How You Can Support the Food Pantry

One of the easiest ways to support the food pantry is by purchasing items from the Amazon Wishlist. Donors can contribute high-quality groceries and supplies that support families in all parts of Orange County. Every purchase helps sustain this service and ensures that food remains available for those who need it most.

Recently, our Giving Tuesday global day of giving campaign focused on our food pantry. Donors gave generously – including a donor who matched each contribution – raising funds that will feed families living with HIV over the coming months.

Volunteering at the Food Pantry

The food pantry relies on the hard work of volunteers to ensure that patients receive their supplemental food twice a month. The dedication of people like Charles Eberline, who began supporting Radiant Health Centers in 1996, makes a real difference in the lives of so many across the county. “People are surviving longer, which is great, but that means they need services for longer,” Charles said. If you would like to support social services and care programs in Orange County, please consider volunteering at our food pantry.

Access Nutrition and Social Services in Orange County

At Radiant Health Centers we offer a range of vital social services for patients in Irvine and across Orange County. Contact our team for help accessing our food pantry and nutrition services, as well as our other care programs. Call (949) 809-5700  or request an appointment today.

Image Credit – NAR studio/Shutterstock.com

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Healthcare Policy Changes and How They Affect the Community

Healthcare changes in Irvine.

Recent developments in federal healthcare policy and funding have raised concerns among patients, healthcare providers and advocacy groups across Orange County. At Radiant Health Centers, we remain committed to providing compassionate and inclusive medical care for the LGBTQ+ community and other underserved patients in the community. During this time of uncertainty, we would like to clarify healthcare changes for our patients.

Healthcare Funding for Our Orange County Medical Clinic

In recent weeks, media reports about potential funding changes have led to uncertainty and concerns over access to vital medical care. However, we can assure patients that our funding remains unchanged at this stage. While the proposed order affecting healthcare funding has been canceled, we continue to monitor for developments and will keep patients informed of any new changes.

Radiant Health Centers is part of an alliance of healthcare organizations in California proactively preparing for possible future funding changes. As a coalition, we are ready to deliver a coordinated response if healthcare funding is put at risk. Since our founding in 1985, we have supported patients in the local community, and we remain committed to providing an LGBTQ+-friendly healthcare home in Orange County.

Maintaining Healthcare Access for Patients

The last month has seen a series of federal actions impacting national and global health, including restrictions on gender-affirming care, Medicaid funding uncertainties and the withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). There was also uncertainty over a funding freeze on the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a global HIV treatment program credited with preventing 26 million AIDS-related deaths (which was temporarily restored a week later).

California state authorities have emphasized that denying gender-affirming care to transgender youth violates state civil rights legislation and reinforced their position that healthcare organizations must provide these services. At Radiant Health Centers, we will continue to offer compassionate care, including hormone replacement therapy, HIV treatment and social services for the LGBTQ+ community.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Presence at Local Healthcare Facilities

The reported presence of ICE officers near Orange County medical centers has raised community concerns. The new administration announced that it would allow federal immigration agencies to make arrests at schools, churches and healthcare facilities.

Radiant Health Centers is bound by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy rules and will not release individual or personal details of its patients without consent from the patient or their legally authorized healthcare representative. This means Radiant Health Centers will not reveal any names, health conditions, or personal information to any city, state, or federal agency without prior consent from its patients.

What Can You Do During Uncertain Times for Healthcare?

At this time, it’s important to know your rights to protect yourself and your family. If police or ICE agents question you on the street, at home or in the workplace, you have the right to remain silent and can request to speak with an attorney. For more information about your rights, please click on the following link for information in all languages: Red Cards / Tarjetas Rojas | Immigrant Legal Resource Center | ILRC

Additionally, staff and patients can share stories illustrating how healthcare funding changes could impact the community. These anonymous details are powerful tools to help advocate for continued healthcare support. As ever, we remain determined to provide the best medical, counseling and mental health services, and will update patients with any new developments.

Access Primary Medical Care and HIV Services in Orange County

For accessible HIV testing and treatment, primary care, counseling programs and other critical services, visit Radiant Health Centers in Irvine. We provide accessible healthcare services for the LGBTQ+ community and other patients across Orange County. Compassionate healthcare for all is our priority. Call (949) 809-5700 or request an appointment.

Image Credit – PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock.com

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