Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
Stay connected with all the good work the Valley Food Bank is doing.
Widow, retiree seeks help from Lighthouse Food Pantry
Sylvia is a widow who is also retired. The monthly Social Security payment that she receives barely covers her house payment, leaving her without any funds to buy groceries. Sylvia is further struggling financially, due to the care and support she must lend to her mentally disabled son. Sylvia’s good friend told her about the…
FOOD PANTRIES PROVIDE FOR THOSE IN NEED—AND FOR THOSE WANTING TO GIVE BACK
The food pantry at Reseda First United Methodist Church is a haven for those in the community, providing fresh fruits and vegetable, dry goods, and other items to those families and seniors who are struggling. Aside from helping those experiencing hunger or food insecurity, it also gives many people a place to volunteer. George came…
After 10 years of partnership, The House delights in serving from its home base
It has been 10 years since The House and the Valley Food Bank have come together, and it is the first year we have been able to serve our community from our new location. The efficiency of serving from our home base here has been a Godsend and we have enjoyed every moment. In the…
MARIA FEELS LIKE ‘PART OF A GREATER FAMILY’
This month I had the pleasure of meeting a woman by the name of “Maria.” The reason why I will be referring to this person as Maria is because she asked for me to keep her identity anonymous. Maria is someone who has been coming to the La Voz Sylmar Church food pantry for some…
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES ARE NO LONGER A LUXURY RUTH CAN’T PROVIDE
In our last newsletter, we shared about the many individuals and families that Valley Food Bank helps by providing food resources and other essentials to children, seniors and families in need. We are proud of the work that we get to do. But what makes us even prouder are the stories we hear from the…
VALLEY FOOD BANK RECEIVES 2021 BEST OF PACOIMA AWARD
The Valley Food Bank has been selected for the 2021 Best of Pacoima Award in the Individual and Family Services category by the Pacoima Award Program. The Food Bank, located on Van Nuys Boulevard, partners with pantries all over the Valley to provide people with healthy food throughout the week. Each year, the Pacoima Award…
QUALITY OVER THE TOP
This week we had the privilege of speaking with one of the newer recipients at the La Voz-Sylmar pantry. Her name is Maritza. When asked how she found out about this community resource, she said, “I am fortunate enough to have a friend who told me about this place. After I came the first time,…
AN ACCIDENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT LEFT IRENE AND HER FAMILY IN NEED
This is Irene who came to the Lighthouse of San Fernando pantry seeking assistance for her family: “My son was involved in an accident. That coupled with the impact of unemployment due to the pandemic, we were in need of food for my family. “Never before having the need to receive assistance, I didn’t know…
WHAT ARE WE DOING?
New or longtime supporter, we want you to know that our eight newsletters throughout the year are not designed to be self-absorbed sales brochures or a clever tool with sensational headlines or boring statistics to which most cannot relate. Our hope, however good or bad, is to provide you with updates on how we are…
YOU HELPED GEORGIA OVERCOME THE UNEXPECTED
Georgia was born and raised in Texas. She now lives alone and takes care of herself. On the surface, it is a peaceful image, but if you look a little deeper, you will find this gracious lady worried. She has had to survive alone on a fixed income and navigate the COVID pandemic on her…
NEIGHBOR WHO FACED HUNGER AS A CHILD GIVES BACK
Nearly 70 years ago when Annie was just 9, she would wake up early, walk into town — rain, snow or shine — and peel potatoes at a local restaurant. “They would give me a meal and something to take home to my mom,” she said. Annie’s mom was a hardworking waitress, but there often…
ROTARIANS DELIVER MUCH-NEEDED RESOURCES, SHOW THEIR COMMITMENT
It’s Monday morning and our Rotarian friends from Studio City-Sherman Oaks arrive at the Valley Food Bank with two vehicles filled with the food resources we had been needing. I quickly did the Four-Way test (part of the Rotarian moral code): Is it true? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and…
