Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
Stay connected with all the good work the Rescue Mission Alliance Valley Food Bank is doing.
Director’s Note
It is hard to believe, but the new year has arrived. We remain in awe and humbled at all that was accomplished this past year with the help of 7,584 volunteers, representing 39,259 hours! Each day is unique onto itself not knowing the blessings that will be sent our way, of the love and compassion…
A Meal Serves As A Reminder Of The Reason For The Season
Imagine waking up on Christmas morning knowing you cannot provide a Christmas meal for your family. While most are unwrapping presents and enjoying a special day together, some are facing a Christmas with nothing at all. The holidays are a time of joy for most families, but when you have no food, you are more…
Recipient Could Be You Or Me
We may think that only the unemployed or homeless use food pantries, but that simply is not true, according to Will Hernandez, Director of the Rescue Mission Alliance Valley Food Bank. “We are seeing increasing numbers of working families, commonly known as the working poor,” he said. In addition, the majority of seniors were found…
Finding Hope, Help Through A Challenging Time
Leona came to our Food Ministry after finding us in the Pennysaver. She is a mother of three children, and a grandmother of six. Leona had depended on her father to help with the rent and food after her husband deserted her and the children. She had no job. When her father died, she lost…
Hot Meals, Compassionate Conversation Provide Nourishment For Family
“After years of street ministry, it no longer surprises me when I receive a message on my cell from a person whom we have befriended. Yet, last week when I received a text from Tresa, I could not help but to be surprised. See, Tresa was inviting my wife Betty and me to her graduation at…
A Note From Our Director – November
I have now been at the Rescue Mission Alliance Valley Food Bank for 13 years! I am so grateful each day that I get to work with amazing people, serving beautiful souls and making a difference in the lives of those with whom we collaborate and serve. We have seen some significant growth, marked achievements,…
Even Me? Yes! Everyone is Welcome
Jeffrey is not your average 21 year old. He has been in foster care most of his life, and his five siblings are spread all over California in different homes. His words are few and he finds it difficult to connect with people, as that can be hard when you are constantly having to say…
Building Hope With Food, Music, Friends
Daysi is a low-income resident of the Valley who heard of New Hope Church’s monthly food pantry through a friend who has also been receiving assistance from the pantry. Struggling to meet her monthly expenses, Daysi visited the pantry for the first time this past month. She said when she registered to receive food, she…
Never Did I Imagine…
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would have to rely on a food pantry for food. My heart is so full of gratitude to those who keep these wonderful resources going. I really don’t have the words to tell you how much I appreciate each and every one of you and…
Giving of Herself, She Receives Even More
Debbie is a Christian who believes in living out the Gospel on a daily basis. Despite the fact she has financial struggles herself, Debbie spends her free time volunteering and helping others in need. It was during her time volunteering that she received a flyer informing her of a new ministry coming to town, the…
Five Years of Service and Fellowship
The Rotary Club of Greater San Fernando Valley’s signature local project was the One More Item food drive. Club Members, with the kind permission of Gelson’s in Sherman Oaks (and at Gelson’s in Valley Village during the Sherman Oaks store renovations), asked shoppers on the way in to add just “one more item” to their…
Serving Grace
One definition of grace is, “the condition or fact of being favored by someone.” We think of grace when we think of the pantry as a church family. To be given grace to share grace-to be given to freely in order to be free to give is a wonder filled experience. It was a huge…
