Pastor Yonny inquires of a new set of faces, “Hello, I noticed you are new to the pantry. I would like to ask a few questions, if that is okay with you.” One of the pantry recipients responds with a nod of approval. “What brings you here?  Are you from the local community?  How did you find us?”

The young man proceeded to answer Pastor’s questions. “Oh, I found the pantry online. I wasn’t sure what to bring or how it all works, but here we are.” Pastor Yonny explained the pantries are self-certifying, provide food free of charge to all who are present.

“We are from the local area,” the man said. “I have a 7-year-old asthmatic, my sister, who is also a cancer patient, and a friend who comes and goes. That’s the four of us and it’s kind of a mess with none of us having a solid income. With this pandemic situation it is just very difficult. I’m limited with the type of work that I do.

“I know of many who have been affected so this is just such a great relief and the food items are perfect for our family,” he added. “If there is anything that I can do I would be glad to help. We are so appreciative and everyone is so very nice. Thank you.”

Submitted by: Yonny Jimenez, Pastor La Voz Sylmar

We weren’t sure what to expect.  So we did the best we could with all the people who came. We practiced social distancing as best we could. We packed at the church and then delivered the groceries in prepared boxes.

The families who came already knew what to do. We almost did not have to organize anything. They drove up in cars and we got to load their vehicles with goodies.

Under the circumstances, we were wondering if we would be able to have the pantry at all. After all, we had canceled the previous one. All expectations were exceeded.

We thought it would be chaotic. It was one of the most organized pantries we have ever had. We thought distancing would be an issue. The families stayed in their cars and so that guideline was no problem. We were concerned someone might get sick. It turns out that it’s good for us to be outside.

We thought we would not have many people come to receive the food. We had twice the number of families we usually get to serve.  It was a truly blessed and needed breath of fresh air in the middle of this pandemic we are all enduring.  Praise God!

Submitted by Pastor Paul Kim – The House a Church Family

As one of the largest grocery retailers, Albertsons is committed to supporting hunger relief programs. They are proud to be one of the largest contributors to food banks and hunger-relief programs in the neighborhoods we serve.

In addition to their daily food donations, Albertsons is proud of the contributions being made via Nourishing Neighbors, a proprietary program formerly named Hunger Is, working to eradicate childhood hunger in our local community. With one in seven children in our neighborhoods not knowing where their next meal will come from, it is a big problem. Albertsons has in a very tangible way created a ground swelling of support to ensure that no child will go hungry by making a sizable cash donation to the Valley Food Bank.

“We recognize the tremendous needs in the local community and are committed to investing our time, energy and resources, so we as an organization can be part of the solution to end childhood hunger,” said David Panza of the Tujunga Albertsons. “We can fill bellies.Turn fear into hope. Opportunities to succeed will no longer be diminished by a problem that is within our power to solve. We enjoy our partnership with the Valley Food Bank and their continuing program Fighting Hunger – Feeding Hope.”

Nourishing Neighbors raises awareness, engages volunteers and raises funds to support innovative and effective programs focused on ensuring every child has access to a healthy meals and this is very consistent with the work of the food bank.

It is always wonderful to share stories from our clients and community with you—the people who make it all possible. This year with all the dramatic events that have changed our community, it is difficult to expound on the freedoms that we share and be excited about summer and all that it brings.

But we are excited to share a little about all that the Food Bank has been able to facilitate during these past three months. Working with our partnering pantries we were able to establish drive-thru pantries to minimize personal contact and serve more families. We were able to double the number of families and at the same time double support to other non-profit agencies struggling to meet their constituent needs.

Numbers for the sake of impact or trending are one thing, but being able to provide food to lines that were several miles long with outstanding fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, protein and bakery goods, now that was difficult, exhausting, but very much rewarding.

With the help of dedicated volunteers, merchants that wanted to help, and food distributors that opened their doors, thousands benefited.

For the many partners and new supporters that generously provided donations, THANK YOU! We have been blessed by the many that just wanted to be a part of the work that we do.  All of the elected officials, civic organizations, individual families, places of worship and faithful heroes have helped us accomplish so much good in the community, and we are so grateful for your continued support.

We hope the outpouring of support will continue during our summer campaign.  I would love for you to see firsthand the work that you make possible, and to celebrate together as our community continues Fighting Hunger – Feeding Hope.

Thank you, sincerely, for continuing to stand with us.

Director Will Hernandez