The Mountain View School District (MVSD) proudly celebrated the ribbon cutting of our new Walk-Up Food Pantry on October 3, 2024. This event marked a major step toward addressing food and nutrition insecurity within our District’s footprint–including families in the El Monte and South El Monte communities. The festivities began with a program at the District Office before our guests hopped on a MVSD electric school bus to tour the Family Center, as staff prepared for the sixth pantry event later that afternoon. 

Our MVSD Superintendent, Dr. Raymond Andry, expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort that made the pantry a reality, stating, "Food and nutrition insecurity is an ongoing reality for as many as 25% of our families. I am proud that as a school district of our size, we are able to partner and help meet this critical need for our Mountain View and greater community.”

“We are incredibly grateful to our pantry partners, including Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, the City of El Monte and City of Industry, God's Pantry, and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Thanks to all combined efforts, our pantry has served close to 1,000 families since the Family Center’s first event on August 22nd. This pantry is a testament to what can be achieved when we come together for the greater good."

Dr. Andry's sentiments were echoed by Michael Flood, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, who emphasized the importance of partnerships in combating hunger. "At the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, we understand that hunger is a critical issue in our communities. With our new Distribution Center in the nearby City of Industry, we can now more easily partner with Mountain View School District and other community partners to ensure that more families have access to nutritious food in the San Gabriel Valley. This pantry will play a vital role in supporting those who need it most."

As guests arrived at the Family Center, Priscilla Figueroa, Director of Family Engagement and Extended Learning, shared her excitement about the pantry's opening and the impact it will have on local families. 

"Since 2019, the Family Center and our team has been dedicated to providing resources and support to our community. As we have already seen, this new food pantry allows us to expand our reach and connect even more families with the food, services and recreation they need to thrive.” 

God’s Pantry was also acknowledged as a key provider of food resources, thanks to the assistance of the City of El Monte and key discretionary funding provided by Los Angeles County Supervisor, Hilda L. Solis.  

Speaking on behalf of God’s Pantry was Brandon Brown, a former trainee turned staff member, who shared, “In [God’s Pantry], we have 200 employees who were formerly incarcerated or ex-gang members. On distribution days, it’s a blessing to see the change that we are able to make in the community, just by feeding people. We see the relief in the parents’ faces and the joy in the kids’ faces when they get good food. And that is the kind of effect that food pantries can have.”

As guests gathered in the Family Center’s pantry, decorated in festive fall decor and featuring a mix of food staples such as whole grain pasta, diced tomatoes, oatmeal and potatoes, Ms. Figueroa held the El Monte/South El Monte Chamber of Commerce’s ceremonial scissors to cut the ribbon as all in attendance clapped and cheered.

“We are incredibly thankful to our partners, our Board of Education, schools and Community Liaisons and everyone who has made this possible. We look forward to continuing to serve our families with dignity and compassion," added Ms. Figueroa, as the event concluded and her staff prepared for their food pantry event that afternoon. 

We encourage anyone in our Mountain View School District and surrounding community to contact our Family Center to learn more about this and other resources. The Mountain View School District Family Center is located at 2740 Mountain View Road, El Monte, CA 91732, and its staff can be reached at either (626) 652-4077 or via email at FamilyEngagement@mtviewschools.net.