Conversations with Debbie Decker of West Valley Food Pantry

Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Decker.

Hi Debbie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The West Valley Food Pantry is now 38 years old. Almost all churches/temples/mosques had a small closet of food but in 1985 a coalition of religious organizations joined together to form a single place where those in need of food could go to get food. The WVFP was formed. It slowly grew to serve approximately 3,000 individuals a month eventually. Then, in 2020, Covid hit and changed us all. People lost their jobs, children were sent home from school, businesses closed, and everyone sheltered at home. Most nonprofits also closed their doors. We didn’t! People who had never asked for anything in their lives found themselves with little to no money and in need of a way to feed their families. We were the only source of food for many. The Pantry’s numbers jumped from feeding 3,000 in March 2020 to providing groceries to 14,000 in April. The LA Food Bank arranged for pop-up distribution sites all over the city but we were the only consistent, 5 days-a-week distribution site for most of 2020. Though the numbers have dropped a little as the world recovers from the pandemic, due to inflation, the number of families the Pantry serves is still around 700 per week.

Because of the Pantry’s impact on the community, the State of California named the West Valley Food Pantry as NonProfit of the Year for 2020. In addition, the need for a larger and more permanent home for the Pantry, the State has granted the Pantry a total of $5 million to construct a facility to house the operation and offer services to those in need. The Groundbreaking event was held on Feb. 11th. The Pantry is short about $500,000 so anyone wishing to contribute to the campaign should go to the website, www.WestValleyFoodPantry.org. All donations are truly appreciated.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nonprofits across the country are hurting. Financial donations are down and volunteers are needed at every level. During the pandemic getting enough volunteers to run the Pantry was a constant struggle because people were scared of catching Covid. Food was also a problem. We joke now, but in 2020 food was flying off the shelf as though we were preparing for a nuclear disaster. Unfortunately, the Pantry is experiencing the same problems but for different reasons. The volunteers have returned to work and inflation has made the cost of food more expensive and few items are being donated. The one thing that has not changed is the need in the community! Inflation has hit the senior population the hardest. They are living on fixed incomes that can’t compete with the rise in prices of housing, utilities, and FOOD.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As the Executive Director and COO of the West Valley Food Pantry, I’m proud of the work ALL the team (staff and volunteers) has done. It’s taken a village to feed and care for the number of people that have passed through the Pantry. I don’t believe it was an individual effort but that of a team. I’m proud and amazed at the persistence and creativity it’s taken to get us this far.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Volunteer and DONATE!!! Please go to the website and do either. Every hour volunteered or dollar donated makes a real and tangible difference in a person’s life. Be part of the solution. Be part of the change. Everyone in some small or large way can affect another person’s life. Caring for and helping your neighbor makes all of us better people.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.westvalleyfoodpantry.org
• Instagram: Instagram.com/WestValleyFoodPantry
• Facebook: Facebook.com/WestValleyFoodPantry