The West Valley Food Pantry works to end hunger in the San Fernando Valley. We do this by providing food and supportive services for individuals and families in need.
At the West Valley Food Pantry, no one goes away hungry. We innovatively end hunger by operating a drive-through food pantry five days a week. On a weekly basis, our dedicated staff and volunteers pick up about 15,000 pounds of food from our grocery partners. The food is sorted, organized, and handed out to more than 800 households that visit our drive through food pantry. Within five minutes of checking in, each person is provided with a full week's worth of groceries for their household. Additionally, we operate a senior food delivery program for more than 600 seniors a month, and provide shelf stable food for people experiencing homelessness that visit the West Valley Food Pantry.
We recognize that the individuals and families we serve are experiencing financial hardship which often prevents their other basic human needs from being met- including housing and healthcare. Throughout the year, we support families in our community with additional needs including infant supplies, school supplies, hygiene items, and toys. Additionally, we host vaccination clinics, mobile pet clinics and family holiday parties.
Collaborative and compassionate partnerships that meet the needs of the community are at the heart of ending hunger. We pride ourselves on forming partnerships to help meet the needs of our community. We began as a coalition of 10 faith groups that wanted to share resources to widen impact- and today, we have partnerships with more than 20+other nonprofit organizations, 10+ grocery partners, 200+ volunteers, and our elected officials offices. All support we receive is integral to our day to day operations and our mission to end hunger in the San Fernando Valley.
At the West Valley Food Pantry, no one goes away hungry. We innovatively end hunger by operating a drive-through food pantry five days a week. On a weekly basis, our dedicated staff and volunteers pick up about15,000 pounds of food from our grocery partners. The food is sorted, organized, and handed out to more than 700 households that visit our drive through food pantry. Within five minutes of checking in, each person is provided with a full week's worth of groceries for their household. Additionally, we operate a senior food delivery program for more than 600 seniors a month, and provide shelf stable food for people experiencing homelessness that visit the WestValley Food Pantry.
We recognize that the individuals and families we serve are experiencing financial hardship which often prevents their other basic human needs from being met- including housing and healthcare. Throughout the year, we support families in our community with additional needs including infant supplies, school supplies, hygiene items, and toys. Additionally, we host vaccination clinics, mobile pet clinics and family holiday parties.
Collaborative and compassionate partnerships that meet the needs of the community are at the heart of ending hunger. We pride ourselves on forming partnerships to help meet the needs of our community. We began as a coalition of 10 faith groups that wanted to share resources to widen impact- and today, we have partnerships with more than 20+other nonprofit organizations, 10+ grocery partners, 200+ volunteers, and our elected officials offices. All support we receive is integral to our day to day operations and our mission to end hunger in the San Fernando Valley.
According to the Los Angeles County Public Health 2021 Food Insecurity Report, nearly 516,000 households in Los Angeles struggle to put food on their table, and nearly 95,000 of those are in the San Fernando Valley—more than any other region in the county. The West Valley Food Pantry provides groceries for thousands of families living under the federal poverty line. Of the people we serve, 93% live in the San Fernando Valley and are local to the pantry.
pounds of groceries handed out to individuals and families in 2022 (as of October, 2022)
number of times we provided groceries for low income families in 2022 (as of October, 2022)
low income seniors receive grocery delivery from the pantry monthly
In 1975, the West Valley Food Pantry began as a small food closet operated by the Prince of Peace Episocopal Church. The Rector, Prince of Peace parishioners and Prince of Peace Administrator Margaret Shively, worked together to maintain the food closet and provided food for three to five families a week over the course of several years.
In 1985, members of Prince of Peace developed the idea of collaborating with other churches and synagogues in the West Valley to make an even greater impact. Ten other churches and synagogues came together to form a coalition, now known as the West Valley Food Pantry.
With the help of several new storage trailers, the West Valley Food Pantry grew to serve more than 100 families a week.
Today, the West Valley Food Pantry is one of the largest food pantries in Los Angeles County serving nearly 700 families a week.
The West Valley Food Pantry Community Center will open, allowing us to serve more than 4,000 families a month.
