Food Share of Ventura County receives award from Feeding America for outstanding service during COVID-19 pandemic

Food Share Ventura County was recognized this month by Feeding America, a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks, for the excellent care and appreciation the organization has shown to its staff for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The announcement came during Feeding America’s annual conference in Louisville, Kentucky, and was part of Feeding America’s “Network Celebrations,” a recognition of food banks that have performed in outstanding ways. Food Share is one of just six out of 200 food banks to receive recognition.

 Faced with an unprecedented rise in demand for its services as a result of the pandemic, Food Share had to move into an emergency response nearly overnight to deal with massively increased levels of food insecurity. Commenting on the impact on the Food Share team, Monica White, Food Share’s President and CEO said, “We are honored to be recognized, but this award is really a reflection of the generosity of our community during a most difficult time. Taking the time to encourage our staff and volunteers and appreciate their hard work gave us a shared sense of tackling the mission together.”

During the pandemic, Food Share created an employee engagement committee that meets monthly, with representatives from every department. The committee, open to anyone who wishes to participate, has implemented a number of popular programs, including employee family picnics, half-day Fridays, a revamped holiday schedule, corn hole tournaments, logo jackets, staff lunches, on-site car washes and an upgrade to the organization’s 403(b) program. 

The recognition follows Food Share being named by the Pacific Coast Business Times as one of the 2021 Best Places to Work on the Central Coast. 

Five other network members were also recognized for their outstanding work in the community in various different categories including community partnerships and advocacy. The other winners are Feeding Florida, Food Bank of Iowa, The Greater Boston Food Bank, Greater Chicago Food Depository, and St. Louis Area Foodbank.