This Samaritan Center Dinner Proved Community Still Matters in Simi Valley
Monica Berlin 
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — The numbers tell the story — 26,215 meals, 12,934 volunteer hours, 262,293 pounds of food saved from going to waste — but the faces filling St. Francis Hall this week told another. At the Samaritan Center’s annual Donor and Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, Simi Valley’s spirit of service was tangible. Seated at every table and reflected in every conversation were neighbors who’ve chosen to show up when it matters most.
This wasn’t a night of grand speeches about what the city could be — it was a recognition of what residents have already built, one meal and one act of kindness at a time. Held at St. Francis of Assisi Church, the event brought together residents, civic leaders, and local businesses to celebrate a shared mission: caring for people in need and building a stronger community through compassion and partnership.
City Councilmembers Rocky Rhodes and Joseph Ayala joined the evening as guest speakers, sharing words of gratitude and momentum. Both leaders emphasized how community partnerships like the Samaritan Center align with Simi Valley’s broader commitment to compassion and resilience.
“Every hour volunteered, every meal served, strengthens the fabric of who we are.” Rocky Rhodes told the crowd.
Ayala added, “This city moves forward because people here still believe in showing up for one another.”
The event honored more than 200 volunteers whose hours of service turn compassion into action — from preparing meals and distributing essentials to mentoring those transitioning back into stable housing. Over the past year, volunteers prepared 26,215 meals, contributed 12,934 hours of service, and helped save 262,293 pounds of fresh food that would have otherwise gone to waste.
Donors were also recognized for sustaining vital programs that connect people to food, shelter, and hope.
“Our volunteers and donors are the heartbeat of everything we do,” said Anika Sumby, Executive Director of the Samaritan Center. “Their dedication shows what’s possible when a community comes together — every meal, every act of kindness, creates real change for our neighbors.”
As dinner guests shared stories and laughter under the soft glow of lights inside St. Francis Hall, one message resonated clearly: progress in Simi Valley comes from good people working together, quietly and consistently, to lift others.
The Samaritan Center’s dinner stands as proof that compassion remains one of Simi’s strongest building blocks. Each volunteer, donor, and leader adds to the city’s momentum — showing that growth here is measured not only in numbers, but in the strength of its community.
That work continues this spring with the center’s upcoming Second Chance Prom Fundraiser. The event brings residents together for an evening of retro-style and dancing while raising funds that support the Samaritan Center’s day-to-day programs.
