Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
Stay connected with all the good work the Mission is doing!
Robert craves stability after jail time and ‘losing everything’
When Robert’s parents divorced when he was 16, things started to change for the teenager. Robert had enjoyed an uneventful childhood, growing up in Santa Barbara, and then Lompoc, with his parents and two little sisters. His dad was in construction and his mom was a secretary. But after the divorce, Robert came back to…
Bringing the farm to our community, and helping nonprofits in the process
Coldwater Farm Hub, a local food hub and farm box small business run by Ashley and Steve Marlowe, have announced to their customers that they will be selling pomegranates with all proceeds going to the Valley Food Bank. They launched their small business, partnering with Los Angeles farmers market vendors and other small businesses, at the…
Pantry recipient shares gratitude for food blessing
Recently, a woman visited one of the Valley Food Bank’s pantries at Freedom Church in Chatsworth. She wanted to share her appreciation for the blessing that the food has been in her life: “Thank you Freedom Church for the Pantry,” she said. “My family has had an extremely hard time making ends meet during COVID.…
Dallas focuses on healing from traumas, growing spiritually
Dallas’ parents made only rare appearances in his childhood. He grew up in Oklahoma, primarily with his grandparents, until his grandfather died of a heart attack. Dallas was just 13. “I gave him CPR, but I couldn’t resuscitate him,” he said. “Shortly after, my grandma overdosed. I got her to the hospital. Two to three…
Home Depot water delivery blesses Food Bank
One of the most gratifying calls to receive is notification that the Valley Food Bank will be the recipient of a grant award. Our friends at the San Fernando Home Depot selected us to receive an award from the Home Depot Foundation. Not in need of any particular building supplies, Store Manager Kimberly Cherney, suggested…
Pastor reflects on life change, commitment to giving
My name is Christopher Anthony Trujillo and I am a pastor at Freedom Church in Chatsworth. I lead our Recovery Ministry as well as our Community Outreach Ministry. My testimony is one that I share gratefully because I know without Freedom Church, I wouldn’t be who I am today. They welcomed me into their church…
Goodbye 2020, bring on 2021
All of us can share stories of this past year: fires, COVID-19, elections, social distancing, home schooling and on and on. What we all can embrace is hope for a great new year. Yes, we have had a number of challenges, some more than others. In the midst of many hardships, what we do know…
Charles credits success to his focus, the company he keeps
It took a lot for Charles to finally want change in his life. He was nearly 55 years old. He’d used methamphetamine for 40 years. He had broken his ankle, and after a quick surgery in an emergency room, wound up with MRSA, a bacteria that causes serious infections. “I could have died,” Charles said.…
Graduate reflects on realizing God’s powerful love
Carlos grew up in Guatemala, and came to the United States when he was 20 years old. He got right to work, mostly in construction, got married, and had a son. But the marriage didn’t last. “I was drinking too much and my ex-wife wanted me to stop,” Carlos said. “I never did. She got…
Mike: ‘When I was 56, I found the Lord and the Lord found me’
After struggling with alcohol for most of his life, and eventually finding himself homeless, Mike is the first to admit how blessed he is. Now the outreach coordinator at the Mission, after completing the Life Recovery Program several years ago, he spends his time connecting with those who were once in his shoes. “I’m so…
ROTARIANS DELIVER MUCH-NEEDED RESOURCES, SHOW THEIR COMMITMENT
It’s Monday morning and our Rotarian friends from Studio City-Sherman Oaks arrive at the Valley Food Bank with two vehicles filled with the food resources we had been needing. I quickly did the Four-Way test (part of the Rotarian moral code): Is it true? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and…
After a challenging and rewarding year, we look forward
It is a privilege to be reaching out to you today as the Valley Food Bank director. While we navigated one of the most unpredictable and challenging years in our history I am so humbled to be surrounded by such a diverse and passionate organization. One with such a rich legacy of serving our community…
