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Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel Secures $3.5 Million in State Funding for the West Valley Food Pantry

Funds Will Allow Pantry to Construct New Facility and Significantly Expand Services to Combat Hunger and Homelessness in the San Fernando Valley

For immediate release:
Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D - Woodland Hills) presents a novelty check to the West Valley Food Pantry symbolizing the recent appropriation in the state budget of $3.5 million for the pantry’s food access and homeless services efforts.
Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D - Woodland Hills) presents a novelty check to the West Valley Food Pantry symbolizing the recent appropriation in the state budget of $3.5 million for the pantry’s food access and homeless services efforts.

LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills) presented a novelty check to the West Valley Food Pantry symbolizing the recent appropriation in the state budget of $3.5 million to help the pantry construct a permanent facility and expand its outreach and services in the west San Fernando Valley. This appropriation marks a major step forward in the pantry’s efforts to assist individuals experiencing homelessness and is one of several significant wins that Assemblymember Gabriel secured for the San Fernando Valley in the recent state budget.

“The West Valley Food Pantry is a true blessing for our community,” said Assemblymember Gabriel. “The pantry has done incredible work supporting vulnerable kids, families, and seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic, and I am thrilled to have secured $3.5 million to help them establish a new facility and grow their efforts to combat hunger and homelessness in the San Fernando Valley.”

The West Valley Food Pantry has served as a lifeline to families in need in the west San Fernando Valley during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the last 18 months, the nonprofit has experienced a quadrupling of community members in need of its services and has assisted more than 240,000 individuals during that time. In addition to operating the food pantry, the organization also has provided vital grocery deliveries to more than 600 homebound seniors. On average, the West Valley Food Pantry has been providing groceries to approximately 11,000 individuals monthly—all in a borrowed, temporary facility. 

The $3.5 million in funding secured by Assemblymember Gabriel will allow the nonprofit to transition out of its current makeshift space and into a permanent facility designed for providing food and groceries as well as vital services to individuals experiencing homelessness. The new 7,000 square-foot facility—which will include an upgraded commercial kitchen with large walk-in coolers for healthier and fresher food options—will help the organization more robustly and efficiently serve children, families, and seniors in the west San Fernando Valley. 

“With this wonderful grant, our Assemblymember has made it possible for us to not only continue to provide food and assistance to the large numbers of neighbors in need, but also improve and add additional services for years to come,” said Debbie Decker, Executive Director and COO of the West Valley Food Pantry. “We are so grateful for his support and that of the State of California.”