2022 brought us to the height of the pantry! It became a well-oiled weekly event utilizing 20 volunteers. We passed out up to 8,000 lbs of food and other essential items which we picked up from seven stores. We even expanded to a second location.
Then came the low. During the second half of 2022, the pandemic started to dwindle. With that, the property manager decided not to extend our lease and effectively shut down our pantry. The reason? “We don’t want these people around.” These people happened to be minimum-wage workers who sacrificed their lunch breaks to get free food to stretch their budgets.
Instead of being defeated, we actually grew–just in an unexpected way. The volunteers split into different groups and started pantries at different locations.
My focus turned to helping underprivileged students at my former high school. An official weekly student pantry was born. I am continuing to supply special items on their wishlist. I also supply clothing for the student closet including career wear.
I remain the goodie-bag-making queen, producing thousands of small care packages for various locations. My Skid Row outreaches also have picked up to once to twice per month.
Many other opportunities to help arose including supporting the war victims in Ukraine. I also met and had a joint event with the new Mayor of Agoura Hills (Deborah Klein Lopez)
Below are just some of the highlights of 2022
Enriching the lives of Assisted Living Residents by providing fun items for their holiday celebrations.
Bombas Socks and underwear distributions serving the unhoused in Ventura County as well as North Hills, Pacoima, and Panorama City.
Care packages for essential workers (doctors and nurses)
Catered fiestas for elderly people living in mobile homes.
T-shirt fundraiser for the people of Ukraine.
Serving people who live in motels with 30-day housing vouchers.
The height of the pantry. We distributed up to 8,000 lbs. of food and other essential items on a weekly basis.
Our 2nd Location – a weekly Street Pantry for people living in temporary housing.
Weekly Student Pantry
Helping underprivileged students by providing backpacks, and clothes for homecoming, dances, and graduation. Special Wishlist program.
Teenage pregnancy support.