Following a tough start to the new year in terms of receiving donations, the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry received a much needed $10,000 donation from Wells Fargo to help tackle hunger in 2010. The donation will support the organization’s soaring demand for food services, which experienced more than 43,000 total client visits in 2009.
Belinda Crawford, Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry’s executive director, says the donation comes at a time when high unemployment is pushing demands for help to record levels and when charities are worried about resources to meet the needs of the most vulnerable. The Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry’s January charitable donations, which comprise the majority of the organization’s operating funds, were significantly impacted due to the economy and diverted donations to help with the devastation and need after the earthquake in Haiti.
“Wells Fargo continues to hear from our nonprofit partners about the soaring demand for food while donations decline,” says Melissa White, Wells Fargo Santa Clarita Valley district manager. “When we learned about the inverse proportion of soaring demand and reduced giving, we knew that we needed to support the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry. We hope to encourage other corporate leaders to donate time and money to regional food banks like the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry to see them through this on-going crisis.”
“At a time when state budget cuts and a national economic downturn have significantly increased demand for the SCV Food Pantry’s supportive services, financial support from Wells Fargo and other community sources provides a lifeline to our clients,” said Crawford. “With this support, our organization will be able to respond to increased community need and serve more individuals and families throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. This $10,000 donation will provide three months worth of milk for the children of our clients.”
The Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry has been distributing food to low-income residents of the Santa Clarita Valley for the past 24 years. The SCV Food Pantry was established in 1986 and moved to the current location on Railroad Avenue in Newhall in 1992. It is a volunteer-based 501 (C)(3) nonprofit organization with over 100 regular volunteers including its board members.
More than 1,100 senior citizens receive food through the SCV Food Pantry Senior Outreach program. Funding to provide fresh milk for the children of our clients is a major concern and need of the SCV Food Pantry. The Food Pantry established the “Milk Money” program to provide one gallon of milk per client child per month. Ongoing support of this program is needed.