West Valley Community Services of Santa Clara County, Inc.

The goal of the organization is to support low-income families in the community with the help of volunteers and our community members. Our goal is to keep people housed and fed so that their basic needs are met. There 625 community volunteers who work with us to make this possible.

We support low-income families by providing them with free of cost fresh nutritious produce, milk dairy, meats, grains, pulses, baby food, toiletries, cleaning supplies and much much more to sustain and support people in need. With the savings in the monthly food costs, the families are able to pay rent, remain housed and meet that gap so they can balance their other costs and bills.

We support families with free food, housing resources, case management, financial coaching, tax filling support, emergency funding, clothing vouchers, exercise plus nutrition classes, children's camps, back to school needs and gifts during holidays so that they experience normal living.

Keeping in line with our goal of involving community members to support the community in need, we have 625 community volunteers who work with us to make this possible.

We source and glean excess foods from Farmer's markets, grocery partners and Second Harvest to serve the hungry. All these foods are gleaned, sorted and shelved by our volunteers, all 5 working days of the week. We serve our clients with dignity and respect.

We have seen a 35% growth in the year over year need and we have been able to meet those needs with the help of donations, community outreach, and volunteer engagement.

The organization is in its 45 years of existence. It was started by 3 nurses and served 12 people on its first day. From there we have come to serve 4000 (unique- not counting all the visits that the same client makes to receive our services week over week).

We have come to prove the viability and the need in the community over these 45 years. As we strive to become better and better, we know that the power of unity and the community is a synergy beyond definition.

We are powered by 20 staff, 19 board members and more than 600 volunteers. We are growing and keeping up with the needs of the community

Our growth has been exponential. We work in partnership with corporations, faith-based organizations, foundations, the County and the community. We are looking to deepen and expand these partnerships.

We have grown from a small pantry to a huge RV that takes food around to various communities in the area. Serving the seniors who are not able to move or do not have transportation, to serving students in various colleges who are homeless and facing hunger ( yes, it is a real issue in our community).

We supply food to De Anza college and soon opening a food pantry Hub in San Jose in an underserved school. We are entering an exploring phase for capacity building and capital campaign so we are able to our match the needs and serve additional people in need.