Rescue Mission Alliance

On the surface, Eduardo appears to be a typical 8-year old, living in a neighborhood with a small town feeling that is next to other neighborhoods known for gangs, violence, and drugs. What most do not realize is, for nearly his entire life, Eduardo has helped his mother care for his older brother Raul, who is now 15. (The photo is an old one provided by the family) Raul has been bed stricken for the last 8 years, since he was diagnosed with Addison-Schilder Disease; a rare, inherited disorder that leads to progressive brain damage, failure of the adrenal glands, and eventually death.

Elina (mother) was pregnant with Eduardo when she got the news about Raul. At a few months old, it was confirmed that Eduardo had the same ailment as his older brother. The only positive thing about this situation was, unlike Raul, Eduardo at 5 years old was given a bone marrow transplant and endured chemotherapy that stopped the disease from taking over his body.

Elina and her husband Jorge (who works 67 hours a week at two low paying jobs) care for their two boys; one in bed in vegetative state and one that was going through chemo. This has been a tough 3-year period for the family. Eduardo still needs medication and doctor care. Raul is still bed stricken… but that is what is normal for this family.

Fortunately, the family is being helped with a weekly grocery delivery that includes foods from the Valley Food Bank. Because the food is delivered, mom is able to stay home and care for the boys; she cares for Raul 24 hours a day.

Eduardo is in 3rd grade now, he lost a year with the transplant and chemo, but he is working hard to catch up. He spends most of his spare time helping with Raul. The rest of his time is spends playing with his puppy. Eduardo would like to be a doctor when he grows up. His mother is inspired by Eduardo’s strength, determination, and don’t quit spirit. As she said “When things get hard and I start to get depressed, all I have to do is remember how my community helped our family and that gives me the courage to continue on.”

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A "Hand Up" to self sufficiency - Brenda moved to Southern California fleeing her abusive husband. Brenda and her children were staying with relatives in a two- bedroom house. For years, Brenda constantly struggled to make ends meet finding work cleaning houses and fast food restaurants. In December, following her friend’s advise, she enrolled in vocational training where she is studying to become a chef. During her training her income was impacted, so purchasing food, diapers, needed clothing, and keeping a place to live became extremely difficult. With assistance through one of our pantries, Brenda was able to juggle her resources and provide for her family.

Brenda has started a new job working in a fine restaurant, is close to her sister, and no longer needs assistance from the pantry. Now her visits to the pantry are to volunteer to help others. Brenda and her family expressed tremendous gratitude to the Valley Food Bank for the assistance they received. “It was just the ‘hand-up’ we needed to regain self-sufficiency.”

Spam was our main source of food - I am a disabled 16-year old in a wheelchair. My mother and I live in a single room that we rent from another family. My Mom has to be at home when I come from school because I need help and it is not safe for me to be left alone. So my Mom is not available to work. Our only source of income is a relief check that we receive for me.

Before we discovered the pantry we used to run out of food before the month was over. My Mom would buy Spam, which would be our main source of food until we received another check. The pantry has really been a blessing because we now get a variety of food items every Tuesday.

Down but not out - Things are bad enough when you have to face escalating prices all around you, but when you lose your job, it can feel downright hopeless. Something as basic as buying food can feel like a Herculean task. The Valley Food Bank pantry network makes this task easier for hungry people because no one chooses to lose their job or wants to go without food.

"Jake", a Vietnam veteran and recipient of the Bronze Star, recently lost his job as a repairman due to downsizing. He never thought that he would have to start a new career in his fifties. The jobs he has been able to find are part-time so he also does side jobs for people he knows.

There are too many people like "Jake" who have served their country and worked their whole lives but still fall short. The least we can do is help pick them up and let them know that we care. Each and every one of us can make a difference in the lives of a hungry neighbor.

Yes We Can! - “I went through some unfortunate times and lost my job,” said David, Food Bank client. David found himself spinning, emotionally and physically. That’s when a volunteer with the Food Bank asked him if he needed something to eat. “The food bank actually saved my life,” said David. “If it hadn’t have been for them, I would have starved.” Like many others, the Valley Food Bank pantry network has seen a dramatic increase in need in recent months. “It is like the faces of hunger has really changed,” said Russell Peppers, Valley Food Bank Warehouse Manager. “It could be someone next door to you.”

With need up, the Valley Food Bank needs more donors. That is when a bolt of inspiration came from Pantry Coordinators. With a new administration calling for more community involvement along the lines of the recent campaign slogan, “Yes we can.” That is the motto the pantries have adopted: “Yes we can pull together, yes we can work together, yes we can build a strong community together,” says Humberto Barba, Valley Food Bank Volunteer Coordinator.

David is heeding the community involvement call too. Today, he is not only a food bank recipient. He is a volunteer who knows the power of an unselfish act. “You never know what one single gift is going to do to change someone’s life,” said David.

Everyone has something positive to contribute - When Debbie and her husband both lost their jobs, sold their house, and moved to be closer to her ailing mother, they weren’t sure what the future would hold. With three small children, it didn’t take long to deplete their savings. Unable to find work, Debbie’s husband sunk into a deep depression and it seemed that within a few months Debbie’s whole world had changed. “It was tough. Suddenly I had to decide between paying the rent and buying groceries,” she says.

Unwilling to let her circumstances get her down, Debbie started going to one of our local pantries. She soon became a volunteer and found the experience enlightening and rewarding. “For the first time in my life, I started connecting with my community.” she says. Her gift for being a good listener and making people feel at ease quickly made her an informal leader who others came to for advice. Part of Debbie’s success in bringing the community together is that she feels a bond with the clients. “I am one of them. I live in the community and I understand them,” she says. “I gain their trust by sharing my own stories and I try to lead by example.”

With her husband back at work after returning to school to upgrade his education, Debbie and her family continue to be part of a thriving community. She believes deep down people just want to matter and everyone has something positive to contribute. “I see our community as a patchwork quilt,” she says. “Each of us is one square of a quilt. Put us all together and we create something beautiful.”

Changing Lives for Good