In The News...

Swanton Foundation Continues Support for Fighting Hunger – Feeding Hope

Januray 2011 - The Harold R. & Winifred R. Swanton Foundation renewed its partnership with the Valley Food Bank this year providing a generous grant of $4,400. Funding will support Valley Food Bank’s Fighting Hunger – Feeding Hope program and will ensure a continuous delivery of food to hundreds of families and individuals in need in the San Fernando Valley. 

Smart & Final Renews Partnership with Valley Food Bank

January 2012 - The Smart & Final Charitable Foundation continues its support for Valley Food Bank’s Fighting Hunger – Feeding Hope through a $500 grant. Their continued support will help the Valley Food Bank to provide nutritious food for a growing number of families who need assistance during these difficult times. 

As holidays loom, food banks say they have less to give as need grows...
By Dana Bartholomew, Daily News Staff Writer
Posted: 11/06/2011 01:00:00 AM PDT

November 2011 - There may be less to gobble for the poor on Thanksgiving. Food banks across Los Angeles report soaring demand and fewer donations leading into the holiday season.

“We have a shortage of food for this time of year, more so this year than ever,” said Will Hernandez, director of Valley Food Bank in Pacoima. “We’ve got more people needing food. And we have less (food). “So that’s a bad combination.” 
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 Nearly 1 in 6 Americans in poverty, Census says

September 2011 - WASHINGTON (AP) — The ranks of the nation's poor have swelled to a record 46.2 million — nearly 1 in 6 Americans — as the prolonged pain of the recession leaves millions still struggling and out of work. And the number without health insurance has reached 49.9 million, the most in over two decades.

The figures are in a Census Bureau report, released Tuesday, that offers a somber snapshot of the economic well-being of U.S. households for last year when joblessness hovered above 9 percent for a second year. The rate is still 9.1 percent at the start of an election year that's sure to focus on the economy and President Barack Obama's stewardship of it.

The overall poverty rate climbed to 15.1 percent, from 14.3 percent the previous year, and the rate from 2007-2010 rose faster than for any similar period since the early 1980s when a crippling energy crisis amid government cutbacks contributed to inflation, spiraling interest rates and unemployment. For last year, the official poverty level was an annual income of $22,314 for a family of four. Measured by total numbers, the 46 million now living in poverty are the most on record dating back to when the census began to track in 1959. The 15.1 percent tied the level of 1993 and was the highest since 1983. (Click Here to read the entire article)

 Grainger Grant Award Will Increase Food Distribution to Needy Families

July 2011 - Thanks to the generosity of the Grainger Community Grants program, thousands of families in need will receive emergency food assistance through Valley Food Bank’s Fighting Hunger – Feeding Hope program. Their generous $5,000 grant will be used to purchase an electric pallet jack in order to increase food collection and distribution efforts to families seeking help.

Valley Food Bank Receives $25K Grant from Walmart to Expand Services

June 2011 - The Walmart Foundation awarded a very generous $25,000 grant toward the expansion of the food bank’s Fighting Hunger – Feeding Hopeprogram.Their generous support will help us to increase our distribution efforts to numerous pantries throughout the San Fernando Valley to prevent hunger and food insecurity for families and individuals struggling to make ends meet.  

Swanton Foundation Continues Support for Fighting Hunger – Feeding Hope

June 2011 - The Harold R. & Winifred R. Swanton Foundation continues its support of the Valley Food Bank with a generous grant of $5,000. Funding will support the food bank’sFighting Hunger – Feeding Hope program and will help to ensure a continuous delivery of food to hundreds of families and individuals in the San Fernando Valley.