• Event discoverability. Access begins with learning when and where a pop-up will run near you. Use 211 by phone or the Pantry Locator’s ZIP search to identify likely host sites fast. In practice, this yields a confirmed address and start time you can act on today.
• Schedule and entrance certainty. Times and line locations can shift with campus or clinic operations. A brief confirmation call to the host—asking about start time, exact entrance, and what to bring—prevents missed trips. Families who verify these details typically queue less and move through smoothly.
• On-site readiness. Bringing a reusable bag or small cart and arriving 15–30 minutes early improves selection and reduces waiting. Volunteers may share wayfinding (e.g., “line forms by the gym”). Applying these small steps translates into a faster visit and a fuller grocery mix.

Exact access steps you can use today

• Step 1 — Get today’s or this week’s pop-up. Call 211 (or 800-339-6993) and request “Mobile Food Pantry events near [your ZIP].” Ask the operator to repeat the address, start time, host name, and entrance. This single call turns program info into one actionable destination.
• Step 2 — Confirm with the host site. Phone the listed school, clinic, or community center to double-check timing and entry point (e.g., “Use Lot B; line at the south gate”). This quick check avoids arriving late or at the wrong door and helps you prepare a bag or cart.
• Step 3 — Use same-day backups if needed. If the next pop-up isn’t soon enough, pivot to the Pantry Locator for a nearby pantry or LAUSD Café LA for student meals. Many households combine a same-day pantry box with a planned Mobile Food Pantry visit later in the week.