Within the previous 5 years, she amassed round 100 citations, she mentioned, and has paid a number of hundred {dollars} that she hopes will likely be refunded as a part of the pending lawsuit.

Final 12 months, Mrs. Soto’s husband started getting weekly kidney dialysis, and Mrs. Soto took a little bit of break day in March to recuperate from a hysterectomy. Whereas she and her husband couldn’t work, a gaggle of distributors pooled their earnings and gave the couple $3,000 to assist them make ends meet.

Though she’s again at work, Mrs. Soto mentioned enterprise was missing.

“After the pandemic, the whole lot modified,” she mentioned. “It’s not as straightforward because it was earlier than. It’s the economic system. Now it’s very gradual. Persons are complaining about cash, in regards to the taxes they need to pay. They don’t spend as a lot as earlier than.”

She hasn’t made $900 in per week since final summer time, Mrs. Soto mentioned, and through one week final month she introduced in solely $360 in 5 days. It’s troublesome to maintain up with the $2,000-a-month lease on their one-bedroom residence, she mentioned.

Her 19-year-old son works at a close-by shoe retailer to assist cowl the prices, she mentioned, and he or she could quickly search for one other job she will be able to work within the mornings earlier than setting as much as promote scorching canines.

“The scenario could be very, very unhealthy,” she mentioned.

As a thick marine layer descended over the town, Mrs. Soto flipped on a light-weight over her cart and zipped up her hoodie. A four-wheel meals supply robotic — considered one of many who traverse this a part of Los Angeles — whizzed previous.

It was a comparatively quiet evening within the coronary heart of Hollywood and, after seven hours, Mrs. Soto was completed together with her shift.

Her whole for the day: $85. She hoped the subsequent day would go higher.