On a recent weekday at College Park in Oxnard, hundreds of cars lined up, waiting patiently for a Food Share distribution to begin. Among them was Lupe Fernandez, a mother of four, sitting in her van and hoping to bring home enough food for her family.

For Lupe, this isn’t just about groceries—it’s about making impossible choices a little less frequent.

“You have to pick. Either buy food or pay for a bill. It’s hard to pick.”

Like many families in Ventura County, Lupe is doing everything she can to make ends meet. Rising costs for food, rent, and utilities stretch already tight budgets to the breaking point. Even with careful planning, there are still nights when there simply isn’t enough.

Food Share helps fill that gap.

Each week, volunteers load cars with fresh produce, pantry staples, and essential items—food that brings stability to families like Lupe’s. It’s not just nourishment. It’s breathing room. It’s hope. It’s the ability to get through the week without having to choose between keeping the lights on and putting food on the table.

“You pay for a utility bill, or you just go hungry.”

For Lupe, access to this food means fewer nights of uncertainty and more moments of relief for her family. And for thousands of others across Ventura County, it’s the same.

Your support makes that possible. 🧡