In this month’s update from the West Valley Food Pantry, Executive Director Mario Velasco shares the latest news, community partnerships, volunteer opportunities, and upcoming events happening at the Pantry.

Backpack & School Supply Giveaway This summer, the West Valley Food Pantry provided backpacks and school supplies to hundreds of local students in partnership with the National Charity League of San Fernando Valley. Thank you to our generous donors, volunteers, and community partners who helped make sure students could start the school year on a more equitable footing.

National Charity League Volunteers Mother-daughter teams from the National Charity League of San Fernando Valley spent their summer volunteering at the Pantry, helping with produce sorting, fresh food bagging, senior grocery deliveries, and food distribution. We’re grateful for this partnership, which has been going strong since 1987!

Celebrating Rachel Hirschberg We’re also saying a bittersweet goodbye to our Sorting and Bagging Coordinator, Rachel Hirschberg, as she begins her well-deserved retirement. Thank you, Rachel, for your years of dedication and service to our community. You will be missed!

Vida Mobile Medical Clinic The Pantry recently welcomed Vida Mobile Medical Clinic for a special foot-washing and health screening clinic for unhoused community members. Clients received foot washing, blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, individual medical attention, and hygiene supplies. We’re excited to welcome Vida back in September.

Volunteer Group Packing Events Girl Scout Troop 1776 helped pack groceries this month, and we’re continuing to welcome small groups of 4–8 volunteers for our group packing events. Groups can tour our facility, learn about our work, and roll up their sleeves to help feed local families and seniors. Advance scheduling is recommended, as these opportunities fill quickly.

Introducing Canstruction! We’re excited to announce our first-ever Canstruction event coming at the end of September! Community groups, businesses, schools, congregations, and individuals will collect nonperishable food and transform it into creative structures, all while helping stock the Pantry’s shelves. Stay tuned for more information about sponsorships, group registration, and the competition. And yes… your votes will help choose the winner!

Stay Connected Want to receive monthly updates and learn about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and ways to support the West Valley Food Pantry? Visit WestValleyFoodPantry.org to sign up for our newsletter. You can also follow the West Valley Food Pantry here on YouTube, as well as Instagram and Facebook @West Valley Food Pantry. Thank you to everyone who helps us work toward ending hunger in the San Fernando Valley. We couldn’t do this without you!

To watch the video, visit: https://youtu.be/8LVMXOV36Hw