This is Elysia and her friends before the virus hit us. They are Chinese exchange students who joined us to volunteer at our pantry during the sunny days. Interestingly, Elysia was wearing a mask even back then—it has proven somewhat prophetic!

These are high school students who leave home for a little while to attend school in America. While here, their host families take them to church and consequently they come to church events such as our pantry. It has been a blessing to have these students be a part of the life of our church family.

We had a truly blessed time serving the community that day. Though it was their first time at our monthly event, they served like veterans. They could be seen doing the heavy lifting as well as being kind to those in line who needed help. For these students, a food pantry was a very novel experience. It was an opportunity for us as a faith family to share what it was like to be Christ-like to those around us.

It is no secret that there has been growing animosity toward Christianity in China by the Chinese government. And these days with the present condition of the virus, the potential for growing animosity toward Asians is obvious. Through opportunities like these, however, we can offer a positive witness to these students who would not otherwise get to see the Gospel lived out. Also, for us who were involved in that pantry that day, those memories and these pictures serve as timely reminders that we are all walking on God’s earth together and that if we all love Jesus, our oneness extends forever.

COVID-19 became an ugly word for the food bank fast. Not just because of the virus implications, but because of the panic it released, sending folks to hoard food and anticipate the worst. It’s not our first community emergency, so we immediately shifted to our disaster relief mode. Suppliers were contacted, volunteers were mobilized, and pantries as we knew them were transformed to offer food in a drive-thru capacity. Unprecedented numbers of individuals were given food resources and other essentials. With some courageous, faithful volunteers and churches wanting to make a difference, we were able to see our communities at their best.

At the time of newsletter preparation in April, we received this note from Manuel Flores, executive director of North Valley Caring Services:

“North Valley Caring Services (NVCS) has partnered with the Valley Food Bank for over four years now. During this time we have fed thousands of families. As a further result, we are often called upon to minister to the most vulnerable of our community.

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread and bring uncertainties, the Valley Food Bank and NVCS have been expected to “toe the line” and we have done so. We have ramped up food distribution for we know that the need is now greater. But we are also humans with families who do not want to be infected and in turn infect others. We are pulled in various directions, and at times we argue with ourselves. But at the end of the day and at the beginning of the morning, we pray that we might be protected and given discernment, and we show up. We have learned to rely on His grace, His mercy and His power.

We are so proud of our partnership with the Valley Food Bank, for in this partnership we find ourselves challenged every day. Because of the generosity of Will Hernandez and his staff and volunteers, we on the frontlines are able to share the love of Christ with others, one box of food at a time.”

We also received this note from Silvia Robles, NVCS’ workforce and communications coordinator:

“During these difficult times, it is important to remain united to keep serving our community members and the most vulnerable. Due to the pandemic COVID-19, many businesses and organizations have been forced to close down. However, Valley Food Bank, along with other donors and food banks, continue to demonstrate their courage and compassion by selflessly working the frontlines.”

La Voz Sylmar Pantry (LVSP) is open every Thursday. We have wonderful energy and that is something that has allowed us to attract amazing community members such as Dora. This lady is so sweet and such a hard worker. We admire her tremendously. She always shows up with a wonderful smile and is a pleasure to have around.

Dora emigrated from El Salvador and arrived in California in 1992. She has had trouble finding work, nonetheless she finds ways to make ends meets by God’s grace. And one of those ways is by visiting her local pantry.

Dora is a sweet, 59-year-young lady with a constant smile on her face. She has been attending our pantry for approximately two-and-a-half years now. She really enjoys coming, and even helps out when she’s able to arrive early. She has helped us unload and prepare all the food on the tables, and then grabs her number and stands in line like everybody else.

The food she takes from our pantry goes a very long way, often feeding seven. She lives with her amazing husband and two nieces, and has enough to share with her children that don’t live with her. Dora is so happy that she has found LVSP. “I come because the food is really good quality and the people who give the food are really nice,” she said, adding that LVSP is very important to her because if she was not able to receive food from us it would really put a burden on her and her husband’s finances for that week. The one visit to our pantry allows her the freedom to save on food she would otherwise need to buy from the market.

So this weekly visit to the LVSP has allowed Dora to put good food on the table for her and her family. She is very thankful to God that this is a service she can partake in freely.