Families

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,...

Kia is a mother of three — two girls and a boy, ages three, 19 months, and 11 years. “I’m a stay-at-home mom. Although my husband works, it’s still not meeting our needs. Everything has been increasing so much that it’s been a real struggle to get through the week. Even if we go shopping halfway through the week, there’s nothing in the fridge.” Kia discovered Food Share after searching for food assistance locally.

For Lena, a full-time student at Oxnard College, pursuing her education is both a personal dream and a promise to her four children. “I want my kids to see me challenge myself,” she says. “I hope they see I’m trying to make a better life for them.” Lena and her husband, who is on disability, work hard to make ends meet. During the school year, their children receive breakfast and lunch at school, but when summer comes, that vital source of...