FOOD PANTRY

On Wednesday, Feb. 25, the City of Chula Vista, in partnership with Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Civic Center Chula Vista Public Library to celebrate the opening of South Bay's first City-operated food pantry.

"This new City-operated food pantry at the Civic Center Chula Vista Public Library is a meaningful investment in the well-being of Chula Vista, strengthening our community by addressing food insecurity head-on, supporting families, seniors and students in times of need, and reinforcing our commitment to ensuring every resident is treated with dignity, respect and care," said Mayor John McCann.

The food pantry will operate out of the Civic Center Chula Vista Public Library, 365 F St., and offers a rotating selection of pantry staples and other essential food items to help address food insecurity in the Chula Vista community. The food pantry will open to the public Wednesday, March 4. Hours of operation will be Mondays and Wednesdays from noon to 7 p.m. Patrons are required to register online or by phone (619)323-2841 (opt. 2), with languages available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

"In our libraries, we see firsthand the challenges many people face every day, and food insecurity is one of them," said Alyson Hamlin, senior librarian at the Civic Center Library. "It affects people from many different walks of life, from families to seniors to unhoused individuals. This pantry allows us to meet people where they already are and connect them with a reliable source of support in a welcoming, trusted space."

In Summer 2023, the City partnered with Feeding San Diego and staff and volunteers ran three major food distribution events. Each distribution had a line around the block prior to distribution hours, and most of the food options ran out before the 2-hour distribution was over. It was clear from the turnout that this was a big need, and the City began working on creating its own food pantry and pursued a partnership with Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego.

"Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego is proud to expand our presence in the South Bay and deepen our commitment to families in Chula Vista launching this new food pantry in partnership with the City of Chula Vista at the Civic Center Library represents a meaningful step forward in making food assistance more accessible, dignified and welcoming for all," said Appaswamy "Vino" Pajanor, CEO of Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego. "By operating our Emergency Food Distribution Network Plus program in a trusted community space like the library, we are meeting people where they are and ensuring that no family in our community has to face hunger alone."

Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego operates the Emergency Food Distribution Network Plus program to deliver food to individuals and families in a safe, effective and reliable manner. Through this partnership, the Emergency Food Distribution Network Plus program will operate at the Civic Center Library to serve Chula Vista residents.

Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego has served the region since 1919 as the social ministry arm of the Diocese of San Diego. The organization provides services to nourish, shelter and support individuals and families in need regardless of gender, race or religion. More information is available at ccdsd.org.