Historic 60-Year-Old Hemet Food Pantry Facing Relocation: How You Can Help

Organizers and volunteers at the Valley Community Pantry in the Inland Empire are facing a tough situation. After nearly 60 years of helping local families, they’ve been asked to leave the Trinity Lutheran Church, their home for the past decade. The church has been sold, and they need to vacate by October 31.

Jim Lineberger, who manages the pantry, expressed concern about the future. “It’s going to be an eye-opener for many people,” he said. The pantry serves over 13,000 families each year, offering essential support to those in extreme poverty.

Many families, like Shelby Handy’s, rely heavily on the pantry. “It’s a make-or-break situation for us,” she shared. Without food stamps, the assistance they receive is crucial for their survival.

Deaconess Cheryl Holmes from San Jacinto echoed this sentiment, saying, “With rising costs, I depend on the pantry for food.” She has several hungry mouths to feed and appreciates the lifeline the pantry provides.

While Lineberger has reached out to property owners for new spaces, many don’t seem to understand that food pantries often struggle to cover rent. “We’ve never paid rent because we simply don’t have the funds,” he explained.

Despite this setback, the organization continues to prepare for its annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaway. The community’s outpouring of support over the years has been vital. As the pantry approaches its 60th anniversary, Lineberger and his team are hoping for another miracle to find a new home.

According to recent statistics, over 10% of households in California face food insecurity, highlighting the importance of community support systems like the Valley Community Pantry. As the need for assistance grows, food pantries are often under pressure, facing challenges from rising costs and limited resources.

In recent years, food banks nationwide reported a surge in demand. A survey from the Food Research & Action Center revealed that more than 40% of food bank clients were first-time users in 2023. This trend underscores how crucial food pantries have become in many communities.

As organizations like the Valley Community Pantry continue their mission, it’s vital to recognize the challenges they face. Supporting local food pantries is more important than ever, especially when so many families rely on them for sustenance.

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