The Food Pantry sees an average of 4,000 client interactions per month, helping feed thousands of families

Just a few miles from where the Interstate 5 Freeway and Highway 14 split, the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry is in the heart of Downtown Santa Clarita. The Valley is home to many sub-cities, including Newhall, Valencia, Saugus and Canyon Country, all of whose residents are welcomed at the Food Pantry. Contrary to popular belief, this area of Los Angeles County has thousands of neighbors in need of food assistance. 

An average of 2,000 individuals, all living within the Valley, seek food assistance from the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry each month. Each individual and/or household has different needs and situations, but today’s cost of living in our County has become overwhelming even for households with multiple incomes. Fortunately, the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry is there to provide food assistance, whether it be short or long-term. 

“Every time we give a box of food out, that’s money that someone could use for rent, or medical expenses, educating their kids,” said Joanne Ainsworth, Executive Director of the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry. “It’s a huge problem how expensive food is right now, and we’re helping people stay in their homes.”

A Food Pantry for All

Individuals from all walks of life living in the Santa Clarita Valley choose to seek food assistance from the Food Pantry because of the quality of the food, its proximity to their homes, and the friendliness of its staff. Seeking food assistance is not an easy task, as many feel embarrassed or prideful to seek it. However, the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry welcomes its neighbors, whether they are housed or unhoused, employed or unemployed, or temporary or long-term clients.

Additionally, the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry delivers food kits to nine local senior homes. 

“We have a senior outreach program, where we visit about nine senior centers locally in the Valley,” said Phil Howard, President of the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry. “We physically take food to people who are not mobile, or not able to get to us during our opening hours. We try to cover some of their food needs by physically taking food to them every two weeks.”

Multiple Income Households are Struggling

The Food Bank met Giovanna at the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry, a food recipient who visits the food pantry twice a month. Giovanna is like many other individuals in our County, housed, but despite multiple incomes, is unable to purchase the same amount of food with the same amount of money she used to be able to purchase. 

“Using the Food Bank helps me provide for my family,” she added.

You can help food pantries like the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry. Donate to the Food Bank today and make a difference in your community.