Couple from Russia struggles to make a new life, relies on food pantry

Svetlana and Vadim Spasskaia have been utilizing the pantry at La Voz Sylmar for a year.

Svetlana and Vadim Spasskaia have been utilizing the pantry at La Voz Sylmar for a year.


Svetlana and Vadim Spasskaia, a married couple, emigrated from Russia about three years ago

“We were struggling with food and how to survive in California,” said Svetlana, who first came to the food pantry at La Voz about a year ago. “Someone told us about the Food Bank here in Sylmar. We take food every week and it’s very helpful for us. We really appreciate all the help with the food.

“We love that we just drive thru and they put a box of food with many vegetables, fruits, meat, and some bread, right into our car. The food we have received has helped us so much, especially because we are struggling, without jobs, from another country and with a different language. We are just trying to make a better life.

“This food distribution is helping many other families like us. Thank you so much La Voz Sylmar for helping us—and others—through hard times.”

La Voz Sylmar Seventh-Day Adventist Church hosts its weekly food pantry on Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. It’s located at 13550 Herron St. in Sylmar.