The West Valley Food Pantry Hosts the 3rd Annual Gala | Evening to End Hunger

Honoring:

Herm Fischer, West Valley Food Pantry Board Chair and Building Committee

The Supo Foundation, supporting health, housing, and emotional needs for Southern California's most vulnerable

6:00 PM Wine & Appetizers | 7:00 PM Dinner | 8:00 PM Program

Through a generous, anonymous donation, all net profits from our Gala will be matched up to $50,000

FOR EVENT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, PLEASE EMAIL: pantryadmin@westvalleyfoodpantry.org

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On September 27th, we had our Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. This is one of our favorite events of the year where we get to honor our dedicated volunteers. Our volunteer workforce is over 150 people who are the heartbeat and backbone that keeps West Valley Food Pantry operating. We are grateful for all of our volunteers and enjoyed getting to celebrate them away from the bustle of a regular service day.

Margie Mueller was awarded the Shivley Award for her invaluable work as our volunteer treasurer. Her dedication guided us through the building and transition to our new building over the last few years. Lisa O'Connell, Scott Boroczi, Gil Bittan, and Michele Schulte were awarded our Volunteer of the Year Awards for their contributions that went above and beyond the norm. Karen Buesing was awarded the new Super Star Award and special recognition from the City of Los Angeles for her 20 years of continuous volunteering. Marriott Warner Center was also honored for the dedicated service that Maria Ali's team provides to assemble our dry goods bags.

To join our mission to end hunger, click on the link below.

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On Saturday, March 29, we celebrated the completion of our new facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at our new location. Elected officials, including Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, and Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), as well as Los Angeles Bishop The Right Reverend John Harvey Taylor and Price of Peace Episcopal Church’s Reverend Brian Tucker, joined our Director, Debbie Decker, and members of our community to commemorate the occasion.

While speaking to the crowd, Decker relayed that the new facility marks the beginning of a new chapter for the West Valley Food Pantry and the community we serve. She explained to the crowd of approximately 275 supporters that the facility will consolidate all our operations under one roof for the first time in our 40-year history, making us more efficient and accessible to the thousands of individuals and families who rely on our services.

The new facility, which sits just north of our previous location, was initially made possible by a $3.5 million appropriation in the 2021 California State budget, secured through the work of Jesse Gabriel and his staff. Additional funding came from foundations and the generosity of many supporting individuals. The vigorous efforts of Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield and his staff led to the completion of the nearly 7,000 sq. ft. building.

Founded in 1975 as a small food closet, the West Valley Food Pantry has grown and become a pillar of support for the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas, working to end hunger in the region by providing nutritious food and essential supplies, including diapers, school supplies, hygiene products, and pet food to families in need. The pantry serves more than 800 households each week through its drive-through food pantry, distributing approximately 15,000 pounds of food, and operates a senior food delivery program that serves seniors in need each month. In addition, WVFP offers fresh and shelf-stable food for people experiencing homelessness with no access to cooking or refrigeration.

In 2024, the pantry served nearly 97,000 individuals, distributing approximately 900,000 pounds of food.

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Each holiday season, we partner with National Charity League to host an annual toy drive for the children of our registered clients. We provide toys for hundreds of client families who are unable to afford presents for their children.

On November 19th, The Pantry became the RAMS HOUSE for the day!!

The Los Angeles Rams organization arrived on-site with 11 players, 19 office Staff, cheerleaders, and the Rams mascot, Rampage in tow! Their presence made for an exciting day at the pantry! The enthusiastic team helped pack and give out turkeys and lots of holiday trimmings to allow families to our clients!

Thank you to the Los Angeles Rams for their on-going support and generosity. As our new neighbors, we truly appreciate your focus on making our shared community a priority.

GO RAMS!!!

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On Thursday, September 12th, the West Valley Food Pantry will host the second Evening to End Hunger for Hunger Action Month! This event is for all of our pantry supporters to come together and honor the incredible ways we have ended hunger together. This year, we will be honoring Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, and National Charity League, two partners that have been persistent in their leadership and support of the West Valley Food Pantry. The evening will take place at Fogo de Chão, a world renowned and elegant Brazilian restaurant right in the heart of the West San Fernando Valley. Guests will enjoy Fogo de Chão's full Churrasco Experience with a market table, feijoanda bar, fire-roasted meats, traditional Brazilian sides, and delicious vegan and vegetarian options.

This May, the National Association of Letter Carriers will be collecting non-perishable food donations from households on their routes, and those donations will be making their way to food banks and pantries across the country. The West Valley Food Pantry will receive thousands of pounds of food and we need all the energetic volunteers we can get to help us sort through it all!

Bring your friends and family (ages 5 and up), and join us on Saturday, May 18th, 2024, from 10am - 1pm. Sign up here:

Pantry staff, volunteers, the Rt. Rev. John Harvey Taylor (Episcopal Bishop of Los Angeles), Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, Councilmember Bob Blumfield, County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath, the Rev. Canon Rand Reasoner, and supporters from the community celebrated the groundbreaking of our new home, the West Valley Food Pantry Community Center! 

In July of 2021, we received a generous grant from the office of State Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel for $3.5 million, allowing us to launch an exciting new project. At the celebration, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel announced that the Pantry would receive another $1.5 million from the state! This grant will greatly help securing the funds needed to begin Phase 2 of the building. We thank the state, the city, and the county representatives and agencies and all of the volunteers and contributors that have helped make this dream come true.

The West Valley Food Pantry and National Charity League hosted a holiday party providing toys and gifts for hundreds of families in the San Fernando Valley.