Simi Valley Food Pantries: When Benefits Fall Short, Where Can Your Family Receive Food?

‘No one should go hungry’: Simi Valley pantry sees growing lines and greater need

(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Food is more than fuel. It’s comfort, community, hope. Yet right now, more neighbors than ever are turning to food pantries for help. Here’s how you, your friends, or someone you know can get help — and how you can step in to help others.

In Simi Valley, that need is showing up clearly at places like the Samaritan Center, where volunteers stock shelves twice a week for local residents facing food insecurity. Some come for a meal and a kind word; others come to stretch their groceries a few more days. “No one should go hungry” isn’t just a slogan there — it’s a promise lived out pantry by pantry, week after week.

Rising need as SNAP benefits falter
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — known in California as CalFresh — has faced disruptions this fall, leaving millions uncertain about their November benefits. According to Reuters, the federal government announced on Nov. 3 that SNAP would be partially funded through emergency reserves, warning that many families could still see weeks-long delays as states await full appropriations. Governor Gavin Newsom called a recent court decision forcing the federal government to restore withheld payments “a major win for all Americans.”

These funding gaps have created ripple effects across California, where more than 5.5 million residents depend on CalFresh assistance. 

According to the California Department of Social Services and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, most CalFresh recipients are working individuals, families with children, or seniors on fixed incomes — people whose paychecks or benefits simply don’t stretch far enough to cover today’s cost of living.

As supplemental nutrition assistance benefits lag, local food-pantry networks such as Food Share of Ventura County say they are already seeing the impact. “It’s happening. Seventy-seven thousand people in our county have lost CalFresh benefits. Our pantries are open and we’re ready — but the surge is here,” the organization said in a recent update.

At the Samaritan Center of Simi Valley, that surge is also already visible. 

Executive Director Annika Sumby said the center has seen a steady increase in demand over the past few months, with more families, seniors and individuals turning to them for help as living costs climb and benefits shrink. 

“Our numbers have grown especially on pantry days — we’re serving more households than we were at this time last year, and many are coming more frequently just to make ends meet,” she said.

The first hint of CalFresh delays, she added, brought an immediate surge. “People who had previously been managing on their own suddenly found themselves afraid to be short on groceries by mid-month. For many, our pantry became their safety net when their benefits couldn’t stretch far enough.”

Sumby said the center is now seeing more seniors and working families than ever before — many of them first-time visitors who’ve never needed help before but are struggling with rent increases, medical costs or reduced work hours.

Located at 280 Royal Avenue, the Samaritan Center operates two weekly food pantries: one for those experiencing homelessness and another for housed residents facing food insecurity. The unhoused pantry runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 to 10:30 a.m.; the housed pantry follows from 11 a.m. to noon.

The center’s “shopping-style” model, Sumby explained, was designed to restore dignity. 

“By allowing our guests to shop for what they need — selecting items for their families based on preferences, dietary needs, or cultural traditions — we restore a sense of normalcy and respect,” she said. “It’s empowering for people to make choices rather than be handed a bag of random items.”

On pantry mornings, people often arrive well before opening time — sometimes an hour early. Sumby described a friendly routine that feels more like a neighborhood market than a handout line. 

“There’s a sense of community in line,” she said. “People chat, share news, and look out for each other. Our volunteers run the pantry like a small grocery store, checking people in, restocking shelves, and helping guests carry groceries to their cars or carts. It’s busy but organized — and always filled with gratitude and kindness.”

Fresh produce, dairy, meat and eggs are among the most sought-after items, she said, and people light up when staples like rice, pasta and cooking oil are available. 

“Little comforts like coffee, cereal, or baked goods make a big difference,” Sumby said.

Behind the scenes, much of the pantry’s supply comes from Food Share of Ventura County, supplemented by donations from local grocery stores, church collections, and community food drives. “Every can, box, and dollar truly adds up,” she said.

As demand grows, Sumby said that funding, volunteers, and awareness are all essential. “Donations keep operations running, volunteers are essential to serving guests, and awareness brings more support to meet the growing need,” she said.

Hunger in Simi Valley, she added, is often closer than people realize — it’s families in local neighborhoods, seniors on fixed incomes, and workers whose paychecks don’t cover the basics. “Compassion and community care can make all the difference,” she said.

Heading into the holidays, Sumby offered a simple message: if you’re struggling, you’re not alone — and if you can give, even a small gesture matters. “Whether it’s donating food, funds, or time, your kindness helps bring hope and nourishment to our community,” she said. “This season, let’s take care of one another — because that’s what makes Simi Valley strong.”

Neighboring food programs
Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank, 95 N. Oakview Drive in Thousand Oaks, has served the Conejo Valley for more than 50 years. The organization provides groceries to about 180 families each month, distributing more than 225,000 pounds of food annually. Clients can visit every two weeks to shop for pantry staples, fresh produce, dairy, and frozen proteins. Pickup hours are Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m.–3 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.–noon.

 “Every week, hundreds of our neighbors turn to Manna for help putting food on the table,” its staff notes. “Your donation makes it possible for families to choose what they need — all at no cost.”

Food Share of Ventura County, 4156 Southbank Road in Oxnard, supports more than 160 community-based pantries countywide. Anyone can search by ZIP code through its online “Find Help” tool, and most locations require no proof of income. 

The agency encourages residents affected by CalFresh delays or federal shutdowns to reach out: “If you or someone you know has been affected by the loss or delay of SNAP benefits — or just need a little extra support — Food Share is here to help.”

How to give back
Donate food such as canned proteins, rice, pasta, peanut butter, cereal, fresh produce or frozen meats. Monetary gifts help pantries buy missing essentials — every dollar stretches far. Volunteers are always needed for sorting, stocking, and assisting guests. Schools, churches and workplaces can host food drives. Sharing pantry hours or donation links on social media also helps keep awareness strong.