Message from Monica White, President and CEO –
We would like to provide an update regarding disruptions to federal food shipments to Food Share. The federal government had suspended delivery of approximately eight truckloads of essential food items—including milk, pork chops, cheese, eggs, and chicken— that were destined for our organization.
These shipments, totaling 213,000 pounds valued at $400,000, have since been officially cancelled, affecting our ability to feed our hungry neighbors.
Federal support constitutes about 25% of the food we distribute annually, equating to 5 million pounds. In addition, we receive $838,000 annually representing 10% of our operating budget through USDA.
While these developments present challenges, we are pursuing alternative solutions to ensure that our community continues to receive the nourishment it needs.
The reality is that we rely on you—our donors, volunteers, and local partners—to ensure food assistance remains available for the 1 in 4 people facing hunger in Ventura County. Your support has always been the cornerstone of our mission. Your generosity allows us to feed 250,000 Ventura County residents each year.
While we closely monitor further risks to our federal funding, one thing is certain: With your support, we remain confident Food Share can navigate these uncertainties and will always be here to nourish our community.
With gratitude,
Monica White
