Happy New Year! The Valley Food Bank accomplished much in 2019. While the challenges associated with hunger and food insecurity remains, we were able to process more than $12,000,000 worth of food resources, which we could not have done without you. 2020 is looking to be a year of growth and realignment as we strive to meet the changing needs of our community.

After participating in a host of round table discussions and tours by other non-profits, we have spent a great deal of time evaluating our delivery of services and resources. While other non-profits and food organizations look to us as a model, we remain committed to continuous improvement to best serve our clients and our partner agencies.

We started thinking differently about the way we approach our work and the value we bring to every pantry we serve. Instead of focusing on independent programs, we wondered what would happen if we took a more holistic approach to the unique needs of each of our distribution sites and worked closely with our partners to determine the best use of our food resources and other necessities.

We realize that, outside of food, our greatest resource is the relationships that we have built and fostered over many years. Those relationships are many, and include food pantry coordinators, volunteers, donors, elected officials, civic organizations, businesses, other non-profit agencies, and the thousands who seek our services.

We anticipate that some will not find an organizational restructure very exciting, but to us it is a prime example of how our food bank is constantly looking at ways we can best steward the resources entrusted to us to have the greatest impact on the most people. We are optimistic about this new approach to our work and what it will mean for the communities we serve. Thank you for supporting our work in the past and trusting you will continue to be a partner throughout this New Year.
Thank you for Fighting Hunger and Feeding Hope for these… and so many others.

During this holiday season we hear seasonal music, see all the incredible lights and decorations, and make plans to visit family and friends as the year draws to a close. Just like the many stories of Santa and his reindeer that come in the still of the night, so is our camera shy volunteer, Adan. We often talk about a second shift, but in reality, it is one incredibly generous person that chooses to work after hours when all have gone home. And, after having worked a full-time job during the day, Adan makes special pick-ups in his own vehicle in places our vehicle cannot access or because the need is after hours. He never complains about the amount work that needs to be completed, and he is faithful in coming three to four nights a week.

Adan has a family and all the demands associated with a busy one. Yet he finds time, or better stated, chooses to make time to serve that will not deprive his family and will be a benefit to the Food Bank. He takes personal pride in doing his work with excellence and is definitely a difference maker.

He and his family support a local church with clothes, shoes, and miscellaneous items. Always the giver with a cheerful countenance, our Santa is an incredible help behind the scene to ensure donations are processed properly and timely. We could not do what we do without his incredible support.

‘Tis the season with much happening in our city. Having just celebrated Thanksgiving with a great sigh of relief and reflecting on the many blessings we each enjoy, is a great way to usher in the New Year. Humberto Barba, our Warehouse Manager, recalls a phone call he received from a very sweet 93-year-old woman called Ruby. A resident of Pacoima, she had called to see if she qualified for our food pantry. Humberto was horrified: “At 93 years, the last thing you should have to be worrying about is whether you have enough to eat!” The good news is, she did qualify since our pantries are self-certifying. But we suspect Humberto would have found some way of helping her anyway.

Calls and inquiries regarding eligibility from individuals seeking assistance are commonplace at the Food Bank – terms like food insecurity just do not tell the story. Every week we see new faces with hope and anticipation that they can get some assistance and not have to go another day without food – parents with young children and seniors are the heart breakers for sure.

We want to finish the year strong so we can enter 2020 in a good place to not just continue Fighting Hunger and Feeding Hope, but also improve and enhance our outreach to the community.

Thank you for all your help and support! From all of us (Humberto, Allan, and Will) we wish you a very Merry Christmas and trust 2020 will be a joy-filled year with good health and happiness.