Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry Outreach Program Under Way in Acton/Agua Dulce Area

Recognizing the vast size of the Santa Clarita Valley and the needs of those who may need help getting food on the table – but live on the valley’s outskirts – the SCV Food Pantry has launched a food distribution site for qualified families in the Acton/Agua Dulce area.

Opened on November 10, 2005, the Food Pantry’s new satellite distributes food to Acton/Agua Dulce residents in need on the second Thursday of each month. The food is distributed from the Acton Presbyterian Church at 32142 North Crown Valley Road from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

“The goal of the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry is to reach those families in the SCV who qualify for our services to ensure that ‘no child in the Santa Clarita Valley should go to be hungry,’” says Executive Director Belinda Crawford. “To that end the new distribution site in the Acton/Agua Dulce area is our first step toward reaching some of those families in the outlying areas of our valley. We anticipate more of these programs to the other areas of the Santa Clarita Valley in the near future.”

The food pantry is seeking area residents’ help in spreading word to those families who may benefit from the service, but are unaware of it as of yet.

To qualify for services from the Food Pantry the potential clients must meet the following guidelines:
Ø Proof of residency in the SCV (including Acton/Agua Dulce)
Ø Proof of income not to exceed 150 percent of poverty level
Ø If there are children in the family, provide birth certificate or immunization record for each child

“This is an excellent opportunity to expand the services of the Food Pantry and help our neighbors who are in need” said Jan Fear, Food Pantry volunteer and project leader for the outreach program to Acton/Agua Dulce. “We give a big thanks to the Acton Presbyterian Church for providing the facility for the food distribution.”

The Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry was established in 1986 by a small group of community volunteers. The pantry uses food donations from the community to provide supplemental food on a short-term basis to qualified local residents. Approximately 60 volunteers work together to sort food, prepare bags and assist clients. The commitment of the Food Pantry is that “No child in the Santa Clarita Valley should go to bed hungry.”

For information about food donations or volunteering at the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry, contact Executive Director Belinda Crawford at the Food Pantry, 661-255-9078.