Stories

Stories
05 Nov

Hope, Health, and Helping Hands – Valerie

For Valerie, a student at a local high school, Food Share has become a steady source of comfort and nourishment for her family. Living with her mom and four siblings, she says the healthy food they receive makes a real difference. “The food you guys give is very helpful,” Valerie says. “It’s healthy and it really helps families who can’t always afford groceries.” Her favorite part? “The fruit—especially on hot days. My siblings and I really like it.” Valerie remembers feeling unsure the...

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24 Oct

Harvesting Hope: Fresh From the Tree to the Table – Dave

Excess crops are an essential source of fresh food for our neighbors. In 2024, 101,643 pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables were gathered through 184 gleaning events — all thanks to the dedication of Food Share volunteers led by Head Gleaner, Dave Orr. For the past 10 years, Dave has led Food Share’s gleaning program, coordinating volunteers, scouting for fruit to pick, and managing the logistics that bring fresh produce directly to families in need. Dave’s work begins long before anyone sets...

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26 Aug

The Lives You Touch – Pat

“It’s hard to ask for help—so I’m thankful when help shows up.” At 73, Pat has lived a full life marked by service, survival, and resilience. We met him recently at our College Park drive-thru food distribution in Oxnard, where he shared a bit of his story. A divorced veteran living alone in a modest one-bedroom apartment in Port Hueneme, Pat carefully budgets every dollar of his $2,295 monthly Social Security check. After rent, Medigap insurance, and Medicare premiums, he’s left with...

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21 Aug

Building a Brighter Future – Lena

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...

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25 Oct

Monica White honored as Woman of the Year 2024

On March 21, elected officials, community leaders, and representatives from the Mexican Consulate gathered at the Ventura County Credit Union to celebrate five remarkable women for their contributions to the community. California Senator Monique Limón hosted the event, emphasizing the importance of community efforts in achieving progress. She said : “State government cannot solve everything. These women signify hope and advancement,” Among the honorees was Monica White, who was recognized for her dedication to combating hunger through Food Share....

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01 Oct

Feeding America Visit

In April, Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, visited Food Share of Ventura County to personally commend the dedicated staff who tirelessly worked through the challenges of 2020 to ensure the community’s well-being. During her visit, Claire took the time to meet with each member of the warehouse staff and drivers, who couldn’t work from home, recognizing them as the unsung heroes of the community. Their steadfast commitment to service, even amidst the uncertainties of the pandemic, ensured...

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12 Feb

Beylik Farms

If you’ve been to a farmers’ market in Ventura, Santa Barbara, or Los Angeles County, you might have seen Beylik Family Farms’ beautiful hydroponically grown tomatoes, cucumbers, and other produce. Happily, those gorgeous veggies are also available to the people we serve thanks to the generosity of the Beylik family, who’ve been donating surplus crops to Food Share...

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12 Feb

Baby2Baby

Food Share is addressing the rising costs of essential items by extending its services to include basic needs and necessities. In partnership with Baby2Baby, a nonprofit organization aiding children in poverty, Food Share has distributed 36 car seats and 1.7 million essentials, including diapers, wipes, and diaper rash cream, to mothers, babies, and children countywide. Speaking about the partnership, Caitlin Buckley, National

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22 Nov

Celebrating Thanksgiving with a Heartwarming Gesture

College Park in Oxnard witnessed an extraordinary display of generosity and community spirit on Tuesday. We had the honor of welcoming Los Angeles Rams superstar Cooper Kupp and his wife, Anna, to our special Thanksgiving event. Their presence added a touch of star power and warmth to the occasion as we distributed 1,800 Thanksgiving meals to those in need. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work The event was further uplifted by the enthusiastic participation of 45 student volunteers from the Royal...

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01 Nov

Stacy’s Story

Stacy is a store manager at a Trader Joe’s in Ventura County. One of her responsibilities is to ensure food that’s approaching its sell-by date, but is still good to eat, is packaged up and ready for pickup by Food Share. It’s a task that’s close to her heart. Here, she reflects on a time as a young mother when she struggled to feed her family and the impact the support she received had on her and her children’s lives.

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