05/27/2026
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. All month long, we celebrate the important role that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have played in our shared history.
The Asian Community Center in Forest Park primarily serves the local Asian community, focusing on seniors. Executive Director Phong founded the center in 2016 and partnered with the Food Bank to provide food assistance to the surrounding area. The center distributes Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) boxes to 200 seniors every month.
Phong leads a team of dedicated volunteers who prepare warm meals twice a week for distribution. "When we hold our distributions, we offer breakfast and lunch to everyone, including many homeless individuals," Phong said.
"A big challenge the Asian community faces is transportation." To address this challenge, the pantry uses two vans to deliver CSFP boxes, as many seniors lack transportation.
The Food Bank remains committed to ending hunger in every community we serve. Thanks to partners like Phong, that mission is possible.