Originally featured on KALW Public Media’s Your Call with Rose Aguilar. Listen to the full conversation: KALW Your Call – December 16, 2025
This morning on KALW Public Media’s Your Call, our Regional Vice President Logan McDonnell joined Peter Manzo, President & CEO of the United Ways of California, for an urgent conversation about California’s historic affordability crisis and the resources available to help our neighbors in need.
The Reality We’re Facing
The statistics are sobering. Nearly half of Americans report finding groceries, utility bills, healthcare, housing, and transportation difficult to afford, according to a recent Politico poll. The consequences are devastating:
- 27% of those surveyed skipped a medical checkup due to costs
- 23% skipped filling prescriptions they needed
- Almost 70% of Americans report struggling with the cost of living overall
Here in California, the situation is particularly acute. One in three households cannot afford to honor their basic needs, according to United Ways of California research. This isn’t a new phenomenon, but the gap between wages and costs continues to widen at an alarming rate, leading to an increase in people working full time who still cannot afford housing.
Resources Available Right Now
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Here are the key resources Logan shared during the show:
Call 2-1-1 for Immediate Help
Dial 2-1-1 from any phone for quick access to resources and matching with the best available assistance for your situation. This free, confidential service can connect you with:
- Food assistance
- Housing support
- Utility payment help
- Healthcare resources
- Mental health services
- And much more
Visit BACS for In-Person Support
Find your nearest BACS location at https://bayareacs.org/get-help/. Search by county to discover where you can access:
- Hot meals served with dignity and respect
- Behavioral health support
- Housing assistance and navigation
- A caring, supportive community
- Connection to additional resources
Our doors are open, and you are welcome here.
Want to Help Others This Holiday Season?
If you’re fortunate enough not to need assistance, please consider supporting those who do, especially during the holidays. Your donation directly supports:
- Meals for our neighbors experiencing food insecurity
- Mental health and substance use treatment services
- Housing placement and stabilization
- Wraparound support services that help people rebuild their lives
Make a difference today: www.bayareacs.org/donate
Looking Forward with Hope
While the challenges are significant, there is reason for hope. Organizations like BACS and United Ways of California, along with countless community partners, are working every day to bridge the gap between crisis and stability. We know what works: housing first approaches, comprehensive wraparound services, living wages, and accessible healthcare.
What we need now is the collective will to scale these solutions and the policy changes to address root causes, not just symptoms.
No one should have to choose between groceries and medication, between rent and heating, between survival and dignity. Together, we can build a California where everyone has what they need to thrive.
Listen to the full conversation: KALW Your Call – December 16, 2025
About Logan McDonnell: Logan McDonnell serves as Regional Vice President for Bay Area Community Services (BACS), where he oversees programs serving over 1,000 people in Alameda County. He also serves as a board member for 100 Black Men of the Bay Area
