The story was co-published with Nguoi Viet Daily News as part of the 2025 Ethnic Media Collaborative, Healing California.
On a cool Wednesday morning, 77-year-old Luong Nguyen steadies himself along the walkway of Giac Ly Temple as volunteers hand out boxes of fresh produce. His wife, Ha Nguyen, stays close–one hand hovering near his back in case his balance slips. Chronic spinal pain, blurred vision, and the lingering effects of a blood clot in his brain have slowed him.
For the couple, these weekly Wednesday food distributions are a lifeline. With rising prices and the stress of stretching a fixed income, they struggle to stay afloat.
At the edge of affordability…