IRVINE, Calif. — With dried up paint on his hands coming off from one of his many jobs that keep him afloat, to the food pantry in Irvine, 36-year-old Chase Larson is feeling thankful for the week-long food supply he’ll receive here just in time for the Thanksgiving.

What You Need To Know

  • Chase Larson has been living out of his car for over the last two years 

  • South County Outreach helps assist the community with food and housing services 

  • Over 24% of South County residents live below poverty 

  • The organization is seeing a 50 to 100% increase in people seeking help with their services 

“This is my first time doing this. A lot of my friends would laugh at me and how embracing it is. I’m like no, I’m glad I don’t have to steal and I can come to places like this because I need the help,” said Larson.

Larson has been living out of his car or a different campground around the county for over the last two years, working small jobs in construction or in landscape. He said in a good month, he makes about $400 and that’s just enough to fill up his tank or pay for his car bill, making it hard to afford groceries.

“As long as I’m happy, life can always be worse. Just keep moving forward and don’t let it get worse than what it always is. Doors always open up like these,” said Larson.

Larson said that’s why having this food pantry accessible to people like himself removes the negative stigma around the homeless receiving help with food.

“It keeps good people from doing desperate things that could get them in a lot of trouble. It’s great having people like these willing to help us out,” he said.

Chief Advancement Officer for the South County Outreach, Dennis Williams, said the Monday before Thanksgiving is their busiest time of the year.

“We’re seeing an increase in the clients that are in need of our services, more people right now than the height of the pandemic between a 50 and 100% increase in the number of clients coming to our food pantry,” Williams added.

According to the organization, over 24% of south county’s residents live below poverty, making it hard for people like Chace to access high-quality nutritious foods.

“It definitely fills my heart with joy to see my clients come in every day. So many of them are completely grateful when they leave. You can see the burden leave their face from the time they walk in the door to the time they leave knowing that they have enough groceries for a week to a week and a half and that’s one less thing they have to worry about when they’re making ends meet,” he said.

With his cart full of food and a smile on his face, Chace is heading back to his campground to cook up a meal.

“I’m glad that people don’t mind coming up to me and talking to me and show me around, very positive and it makes you feel good knowing I can come here.”