Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
Stay connected with all the good work the Rescue Mission Alliance Valley Food Bank is doing.
Estela visits pantry for the first time, helps her daughter and 5 grandkids
Last month, volunteers at the Lighthouse of San Fernando met Estela, a first-time visitor to their weekly food pantry. She is currently battling cancer, and is a grandmother to five children. Her daughter is a single mother who is working, but the paycheck she brings home is simply not enough to support the entire family.
Sharyn sought out food to help during a challenging time, but found a whole supportive family
Sharyn grew up in the San Fernando Valley where she currently lives with her husband and three children. Like many families, they live off one income while tending to all of the needs of the children. Sharyn and her husband are fortunate to have an income but have experienced what so many others have-the dollar…
Zulma gets reprieve from La Voz pantry
I’m Zulma from San Fernando. I have been visiting the La Voz Sylmar Seventh Day Adventist Church pantry for three years. The food they give to us is a blessing for me and my two children. Since the pandemic started, I have been struggling, especially with teenagers. Everything is getting so expensive for us. I…
Rock of the Valley commits to giving food—along with kindness
With the cost of living continuing to increase beyond what the employment wages of many people can handle, little is left to buy food after the bills get paid. “We believe everyone should have access to food. Our goal is to meet people’s basic needs with love and kindness. With the help of…
Johannes and his family of 6 express gratitude
Johannes came early to the food pantry hosted by The House, A Church Family last Saturday. He was able to be a part of our usual “volunteer huddle,” where we sort out what is in store for the day. We were so encouraged to hear from Johannes about how he and his family have benefitted…
Director’s note
Pioneering for a purpose Have you ever played the classic game, The Oregon Trail? Perhaps you played it on an old Mac computer where the game was loaded on a floppy disk. Yes, you heard me right, a floppy disk! Some of you are thinking, “What in the world is that?” Others are having flashbacks…
PANTRY RECIPIENT IS THE FIRST VOLUNTEER ON SITE ON WEDNESDAYS
At 8 a.m. on Wednesday mornings, Mrs. Morales arrives at Valley Park Church and helps set up the carts, tables and displays for the food pantry. She says that volunteering at the pantry on Wednesdays is a blessing to her, and a way to keep her mind and body active. Mrs. Morales has been coming…
RESEDA UMC PANTRY CONNECTS RUSSIAN REFUGEES TO SERVICES, CHURCH
With the Russian invasion in Ukraine still wreaking havoc, families have been fleeing rather than risk losing their lives. Evgenii and Roman, two Russian brothers, found asylum in Reseda. They happened to be walking near a church when they saw a man in a red volunteer T-shirt. They followed him to Reseda UMC Kingdom Food…
PARTNERSHIPS BEYOND PANTRIES: HFC SERVES AS HUB FOR OTHER PROGRAMS
To have a greater impact, the Rescue Mission Alliance Valley Food Bank partners with local organizations who are also working to bring food to those in need. The Hollywood Food Coalition has served the Hollywood community and the surrounding area since 1987. Every day of the year, the HFC serves a nightly meal to nearly…
SYLVA GIVES BACK AFTER RECEIVING SO MUCH
Sylva first came to the food pantry at the House, A Church Family in January. She’s since returned to receive much-needed food supplies to supplement her monthly budget. As a mother of three, and with some health issues, she values the resources available to the community through the Rescue Mission Alliance Valley Food Bank and…
SUN VALLEY PANTRY SEES INFLUX OF VISITORS IN NEED
Immigrant families are on the rise The North Valley Military Institute’s food pantry in Sun Valley has seen a huge increase in visitors to its food distribution events in recent months. A variety of individuals and families have come from across town-and across the world-to get help supplementing their monthly budgets. One family moved here…
Director’s note
I believe that it’s fulfillment-not happiness-that people are seeking most in life. Happiness is fleeting and comes and goes as easy as the rain we’ve had recently throughout Southern California. Happiness is a state of emotion that is based on variables we sometimes cannot control. Whereas fulfillment is a state of being knowing that our…
