A soup kitchen in Los Angeles, the United States has seen growing demands for free meals as American families are struggling to afford adequate food. Every morning, dozens of people line up as early as 08:00 to get a free hot meal at Bread and Roses, a soup kitchen run by the St. Joseph Center in Los Angeles. The majority of the clients are unemployed and homeless, and their numbers have grown in recent years. "Honestly, the cost of living is just crushing people right now. Even folks with jobs can't afford rent and food at the same time, and with a lot of the support programs getting cut, more people are slipping through the cracks. Bread and Roses is one of the only spots left where you can come in, sit down, eat a real meal, not be judged and that is what makes a difference," said James Cunningham, head chef of Bread and Roses. Food insecurity is on the rise in the United States. A report by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows a steady increase in the number of American families struggling to provide enough food because of inflation and a roll-back of COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts. In 2023, around 13.5 percent of households were "food insecure", said the USDA report, which was about 18 million families, putting more strain on the country's largest hunger-relief network -- the food banks. Experts say the expiration of the pandemic-era programs along with stagnant wages and the rising costs of living have played a significant part. In addition, the Trump administration has cut about a billion dollars in federal funding for hunger relief programs and 500 million U.S. dollars in expected food deliveries. This has left food banks scrambling for resources. With government assistance dwindling, places like soup kitchens and food banks are becoming the last safety net for vulnerable individuals and families facing food insecurity in the U.S. SHOTLIST: Los Angeles, USA - Recent 1. People queuing; 2. People entering soup kitchen; 3. Various of chef preparing meals; 4. Various of people having meal; 5. SOUNDBITE (English) James Cunningham, head chef, Bread and Roses (starting with shot 4): "Honestly, the cost of living is just crushing people right now. Even folks with jobs can't afford rent and food at the same time, and with a lot of the support programs getting cut, more people are slipping through the cracks. Bread and Roses is one of the only spots left where you can come in, sit down, eat a real meal, not be judged and that is what makes a difference."; 6. Various of people having meal. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]