The partial government shutdown earlier this year lasted more than a month and thousands of federal employees and their families across Los Angeles County felt the effects. They missed paychecks, and many were faced with tough decisions.

The food bank, with a robust food inventory, had enough food resources to meet the increased needs of our pantry network. However, if the federal shutdown had continued and SNAP/CalFresh and WIC benefits were cut off, we would have been concerned with our ability to keep up.

Most working people cannot imagine a scenario in which they end up in line for food assistance. However, recent events, both locally and nationally, have left many working families and individuals temporarily at risk for food insecurity and malnutrition.

We heard of an air traffic controller in Santa Clarita. He had been working in his current job for more than eight years, so this was not the first time he had weathered a partial government shutdown. However, he said this time was different. “The length definitely differentiates this shutdown from the previous shutdowns,” he said.

First thing every morning, he logged on to his computer or phone to check the status of the shutdown. His spending behavior had to change drastically and while he had some emergency savings, it was not enough if the shutdown continued. His main concern was paying his mortgage. “It’s something I continually worry about,” he said.

“I had a car payment that I had to call my credit union and defer because the amount was too great to try to couple with my mortgage payment. Thankfully they were able to do that, but I don’t know that everyone has that option.”

He had never had to visit a food pantry in the past, but was familiar with some agencies in his community from when he used to volunteer. Lately, he has been researching his options, hoping that some food assistance can provide a cushion to allow him to pay other bills. He wanted people to know he is grateful for all those who donated and volunteered to provide relief for others.

As always, things are moving at a brisk pace at the Valley Food Bank. Our team of talented staff and dedicated volunteers work tirelessly to evaluate the services we provide to the community, as well as study efficiencies modeled by other food banks in an effort to create innovative approaches to ending hunger in the Valley.

As one of the largest food providers in the Valley, our role is to work with our pantry network, schools, places of worship and other non-profit agencies serving the needy. We are serving 3,800 families each month (that represents over 14,000 individuals), plus the families served by other non-profits, but we fall way short of meeting all the needs.

The shortfall, also known as our community-feeding gap, stems primarily from capacity. Partner agencies are run by wonderfully intentioned volunteers, with limited resources, capital or food distribution experience. How could we expect them to feed more of the Valley’s food insecure if they could not purchase, collect, and transport or store more resources?

The first step in our capacity building effort was to secure funding for our expanded refrigeration/freezer units thereby allowing us to acquire more perishable food resources for distribution. The second effort was training for proper food handling, as well as training on how to engage “difficult” people in need of services. From our training, we learned many recipients were reluctant to take some food items because they either did not know what they were or could not read the packaging. We did an interesting exercise of relabeling food packages in other languages and asked the volunteers to identify the items. We quickly learned that we could use students and seniors as interpreters to assist with these situations.

For the first time in more than 15 years, dozens of organizations, all with the same mission of alleviating hunger, are coming together. We believe this approach is how the Valley will become the first food secure area in our county. When working together, donating, volunteering, feeding others we are working to create a better tomorrow for our neighbors in need. Your continued support of our ongoing campaign of Fighting Hunger – Feeding Hope will and is making a difference.

Janet was raised to mistrust “the system” – government, banks, schools, etc. Her family lived in isolation and moved frequently. She was homeschooled through eighth grade because her family did not encourage a need for education beyond that point.

At age 20, Janet had her own cleaning business and moved out on her own. The next year, she married and soon after they began a family. She grew up believing that within a marriage, her primary role would be as a supportive wife and mother. She proudly embraced her part and willingly gave up her cleaning business while her husband worked to provide for their household. As their family grew, it was harder to make ends meet on one income. Her husband also began to face health issues, which limited the hours he was able to work.

Last year, Janet learned about the Valley Food Bank. By that time, their family had grown to eight. “A friend told me the Valley Food Bank provided fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy, and bakery goods, so I decided to give it a try,” she said. Since that first day, Janet has been a guest of the Food Bank’s pantry network program every week.

“Growing up in such isolation and being taught to mistrust the outside world, I was very moved that there was a place that would offer this kind of help to me and my family. The quality of the food provided is amazing. We love the fresh produce, the brown rice, and the whole grains. I am so inspired by the volunteers who give their own time to help. It feels good to know my family and I are not alone and that there are people who care.”

After dedicating her adult life to raising her children, she is starting to think about what is next for her. Janet’s youngest child is now 8 years old. Her 18-year-old will graduate in the spring with a high school diploma and will go off to college.

“As I continue to learn, grow, and put the past behind me, I look forward to the doors God will open for me, my husband, and our children. When I think about where we are today and where my kids are going, I am so grateful to those who support the Food Bank and help provide food for my family. They truly have been the hands and feet of Jesus to me!”