By Emily Spansel, Staff Writer
The Santa Clarita Valley is one of the most populated valleys within Los Angeles County. The county’s population stands at 434,000 people. We know, see and watch as our inner city (Los Angeles) moves with different methods to protect the homeless – setting up housing and working with different companies.
Our first inclination is to think of Skid Row and the attempts given to be proactive for the homeless that live on what the country defines as, “the homeless capital of America.” Yet, do we have the eyes to see the people around us? Within our own valley? When you drive down Railroad and Lyons Avenue do you watch the people passing?
If you don’t, I urge you to pay a bit more attention on your next outing. The Santa Clarita Valley has had a small homeless population for years, but is on the rise, and we need to come together as a city to help these people.
Within our valley, this is where the SCV food pantry comes in. I had the opportunity to interview the executive director of the food bank, Joanne Ainsworth. She grew up in Mansfield, Mass., and had the desire from childhood to do only three things – be a mom, a dance teacher and artist. She is now a mom of 4: Cody (29), Violet (25), Nicholas (22), and Ruby (11). She was also a small business owner of a dance studio from 1997-2023, accomplishing two of her three childhood goals. She heard about the food pantry from a Santa Clarita running group, applied and is now a fundamental part of the food pantry’s operation.
This pantry, only blocks away from our school, has been independently-run and in existence since 1986. It is the oldest non-profit food source in the entire valley. According to Joanne, they have a board of directors that oversees the Pantry, herself and three part-time employees. They also have hundreds of volunteers, each one of them needed to keep the place going.
They serve over 3,000 families every month. Their vision statement, “Food For All. To alleviate hunger in the Santa Clarita Valley. To meet the current and future hunger needs of our neighbors.” Joanne and I both believe that empathy, awareness and compassion are some of the biggest attributes in viewing homelessness and low income families within the valley. These things lead to giving and giving combined with time is core in the solution.
“…We have to stop saying ‘not in my backyard’… Homelessness is already in all of our backyards, now we need to help. We need to house, rehabilitate and support each other,” Joanne said.
Joanne also let me know that the city just earmarked a large amount of money to build a shelter, and she thinks that’s wonderful news.
The reality of this need is evident. I saw this when I met Anthony O. outside the Newhall library. He was kind enough to let me take his picture, only after having talked to him for a little over an hour. I had carefully introduced myself, asked his name, and gave him a little kit of supplies.
He had been on the streets since 2021. I learned he had been in and out of jail, and had a hard time finding work after being incarcerated. He struggles to keep his anger under control and told us how he would get into fights quite often. Anthony was grateful for the conversation and we were very grateful to listen to him.
Professor Greg Gifford teaches that each person has been made with such intrinsic worth, and having been made in the image of God we should treat all people with such. When these things move out of our focus, this is when the mistreatment of people happens.
“Homelessness is not anyone’s fault, it’s the product of generations of economic and social neglect of those people in need,” Joanne said
Anthony is an example of this. To be the hands and feet of Jesus out in the nations, we must be willing to be His hands and feet in our own home.
The food pantry is always in need of volunteers, Joanne said donations to the pantry are ways they keep people healthy and fed. Each food box distributed holds immense value for the recipients, often totaling hundreds of dollars in groceries.
These people receive food assistance from the pantry twice a month, equating to over $800 per family in support. This crucial aid significantly alleviates financial burdens. Thuis enables families to allocate funds towards essential expenses such as rent, healthcare, childcare and utilities.
Joanne and the SCV Food bank ask you to think outside the box. By embracing solutions like the pantry, fostering empathy towards these challenges as well as being knowledgeable of the topic, we as a community can help.
If you are interested in donating to the pantry, volunteering or helping with marketing and outreach (a need mentioned by Joanne!)- please feel free to contact (661) 255-5001 or email info@scvfoodpantry.org and check them out online at scvfoodpantry.org.
The TMU Mane 