Westside Food Bank

This is not a food pantry. It is a food distribution center, and I came at the end of the night thinking it was a pantry. I thought I was going to get turned away, but a very nice gentleman named Quincy made sure I had plenty of food to eat to get by for probably another few days until I can get to a pantry. Thank you so much, Quincy!

The staff is very helpful. The guy at the podium gave me directions to the food distribution locations. The place is huge and a lot of logistics goes into keeping the communities fed. God bless from me okay

Its a Scam! Dont waste your time and energy driving to get food there. They Do insist in refuse to inform the public on GPS that it is not a food bank for the public. But it's a distribution center. Pay Attention on rental payers greedness. Help the poor but help honestly. Poor is not to fool. But to help make a better world. Much loves

Most helpful and very appreciative if my donations of baby wipes, adult incontinence materials. I don't think that many people are aware of their acceptance of personsl care items, dog/ Cat food, house hold items..All items people need to maintain themselves along with, of course, food. Especially canned goods of protein, eg chicken, chili, Spam, etc.

Awesome, to get help from them...they go above and beyond to help u with food and resources seriously. And, the food is great stuff...not the stuff they give u downtown LA at the missions.

Seeing all of the hard work and organization it takes to run something on that large of scale is amazing. And just thinking about the hundreds and thousands of people they help with their efforts, really wows you.

Friendly volunteers and staff, excellent selection of food and hygiene items.

Blessed are those who bless those with little or none. The more we are grateful for what we have, the more we will be blessed with to be grateful for.

I was simply trying to donate lots of brand new canned goods, particularly quality fruit juices that I bought in the last three days. I had about $100.00 worth of food. First, I was born in Santa Monica, California. but It took me about ten minutes to find the little hole in the wall by constantly driving around. I don't mind that it is in a hard to find place--I figure that means the rent is cheaper. However, I was appalled when I went up to the door. The place looked closed and practically boarded up. There was dust on the door. A sign pointed to a doorbell--but I didn't see the doorbell after some looking. This place may have once fed people, but I feel like it is just a scam now. I came during regular business hours, about 2 hours before their closing time. You couldn't see through the windows and there was no sign of human habitation. I left the canned food, but I felt like I just threw it away. I tried to tell the guys working at the construction site next door to take the cans of juice and the wrapped food I left, but unfortunately, they didn't speak English or Spanish. In fact, I have no idea what language they were speaking, despite the fact that I can identify many different languages. This place bears investigating. No one appeared to be in the place--yet they show plenty of people involved on their website.

Dropped off a bunch of canned food items + Ham. on Thanksgiving. Extremely happy a place like this exists. EZ PZ Lemon Squeazy.

inconsiderate to neighbors when making deliveries. Double parks and doesn't care if people can't get by or through. If you park on the street good luck. Workers won't move equipment.

During the pandemic, the Westside Food Bank was, and still continues to be, a lifesaver for hundreds of people weekly. With prices going up, more and more families need their help. I am especially touched by the outstanding dedication, hard work and compassion, of the food bank's Director Volunteer Services Mobile Pantries Allison Griffith. Knowing her has been a blessing in my life. She shows up, even in heavy rain, making sure people can get fed. She had personal health issues, and still did not miss even a day, even on holidays. She waits until the very last person gets food, and waits even longer, in case someone is late. She has been fighting to provide adequate nutrition for people in need, and managing hard situations, which sometimes happen at the lines, making people feel safe and cared for. She sees you and respects you, no matter how much or how little you have. Her personality has made many of the people, coming for food, to want to stay and volunteer for the food bank, because they feel inspired by how important this cause is for her, and they feel truly appreciated. Thank you, Allison, and thank you, Westside Food Bank, you really make a difference, especially in food deserts and neighborhoods, where the regular people find it harder and harder to afford healthy and fresh food.

So far not helpful. I would like to donate but phone calls to the number posted won't go through and the same with the email address. Very frustrating. Trying to find out if the hours posted on the website include weekends.

A friend who called this place had this to say about this establishment (in the screenshots provided) Personally, I called this place to see if I would get the same treatment and honestly I have to say the same lady who answered the phone seems a bit unhinged. She had difficulty giving out any resources and seemed odd and off. I noticed that you had to reword it in layman's terms as much as possible because if you use the word resources, she will say she doesn't know what you're talking about. I guess a food bank isn't a resource to her, who knows. I didn't ask to speak to the supervisor, but it doesn't sound like it would be much help based off others experience. Anyways, I wouldn't waste donating to a place like this unless they actually make sure people who talk down on people aren't at the very least the ones answering the phone. I don't care to be contacted because I experienced her behavior first hand myself when I called after being told of another persons accounts and it was enough for me to see how this place handles a person this place has put frontline with the public as it's representative and the supervisors response or lack thereof and the weird phone call right after, I don't know what that was about as I was there when seemingly this other woman called back. I hope this is eye opening to anyone who donated here.

Hello Westside Food Bank, I'd like to make a financial donation to your food bank but your website does not popup. Please advise how to: robsnes@gmail.com Thank you, Robin Smith

"For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry." Audrey Hepburn A food drive at work lead me to the Westside Food Bank's guideline link to be sure I bought the right items http://www.westsidefoodbankca.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=118. Physically shopping for these foodstuffs this year, instead of just writing a check, brought home how I take my food security for granted. I fill my grocery cart with minimal concern about cost, not worrying how many meals each item will provide and Lord knows, I've never skipped a meal due to food insecurity http://www.ers.usda.gov/briefing/foodsecurity/stats_graphs.htm#geographic. The Westside Food Bank not only needs donations during this food-obsessed-holiday season but also ALL year long, EACH day, EVERY day...

What a great way to spend an hour and a half. Everyone has some time to spare volunteering. I spent a Friday morning sorting apples and pears. Sounds mundane but these little things all build up to make a huge impact! We easily went through 4 huge boxes (I mean huge) of apples and pears so that they are ready for shipment to those in need. If you have a few hours to spare, hit up their website (http://www.westsidefoodbankca.org). A classmate of mine set up the event just but emailing the coordinator. Any help is accepted! Will definitely be back and what's even better? Parking right in front!

On my way to the Westside Food Bank there was a large sign posted outside a nearby school that says "Record Deficit" and "Tax Cuts." To me, it was a lesson that the children at the school was attempting to teach us about the insanity of such contradiction that has consumed us in the policy direction that purportedly will restore the vitality of this economy. Regardless of our differences in the sense of hope and despair in the current economy, each of us can still do something on the micro level for those whose daily struggles for food and other survival essentials have been forgotten by those in Washington and Sacramento. Simply expecting hope to miraculously arrive in our local community is no longer enough. My department was sponsoring a food drive so I agreed to take the donations to the Westside Food Bank thanks to my friend Pedro for driving us there. Founded in 1981, the mission and goal of this 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is to distribute as much nutritious food as possible to local food assistance charities, and to reduce food waste on the Westside. By connecting with other service agencies that include the Pico Youth and Family Center, St. Gerard's Social Services, St. Augustine SAVES, Stand Up for Kids, Upward Bound House, CLARE Family Center and more, the Westside Food Bank provides enough food all year round and 10,000 meals everyday that connects people with food and other resources that foster self reliance and greater economic independence. Almost half of their clients are children. When I got there, the small entrance was followed by an office space that led to a sizable warehouse in the back where the foods were being kept. I saw boxes of oranges, beans, and tons of canned food all compartmentalized from one wall to another. I was assisted by a friendly staff and the drop off process was very quick and convenient. Although there appeared to be a lot of food in the warehouse, it is never enough until hunger is no longer a dilemma or a choice for one to make when there are bills and rent to pay. All said, we are our children's gatekeepers to the future. As the unemployment rates continue to stagger while the social safety net erodes, the uncertainty of food on the table is something that foodies and Yelpers simply should not tolerate or stand passive with indifference like our public officials. The experience of dropping off the donations and seeing people committed to fighting hunger had taught me a great deal about life and a perspective about ways that foodies can make a difference on a day to day basis. Our children are counting on us!

Save the Date for our 25th Annual Hunger Walk on Sunday, November 8, 2015! Register Now Download the Hunger Walk Paper Registration Form or Poster To celebrate this milestone year, we will have some special surprises so mark your calendars now. The location is the same as last year, Ocean View Park, 2701 Barnard Way, Santa Monica, 90405. For information on sponsorship, contact Michael Girsback. Description: The Westside Food Bank's annual walk-a-thon and kick-off for our holiday food drive attracts hundreds of participants from companies, churches, schools, non-profit agencies and the community at large. There will be food & drinks, games, raffle prizes and much more. This walk-a-thon is a fun way to spend the afternoon with co-workers, family and friends while helping our less fortunate neighbors right here in our own community. Contact: Michael Girsback, Development Associate WHAT: WESTSIDE FOOD BANK'S ANNUAL HUNGER WALK WHEN: Sunday, November 8, 2015. Registration begins at 11:00 am WHERE: Ocean View Park, 2701 Barnard Way - just south of Ocean Park Blvd on the east side of Barnard Way, at the Beach in Santa Monica. Parking: in the all day city beach lot south of Ocean Park Blvd. WHY: To help fight hunger in our community, raise awareness about local hunger and have a great time!

This is such a fun place to volunteer! It's easy and everyone is nice. I volunteered with my friend during the holiday and it's the night where they also feed with you dinner and dessert! It was me, my friend, and our boyfriends. We mainly sorted canned food that had been donated from all over LA into their respective categories. We put baby food with baby food, canned beans, canned veggies, desserts, snacks, coffee/tea, pasta, pasta sauce, condiments, meat, etc in respective boxes. The volunteer hours were from 4pm-8pm and we showed up at 5pm and left around 7pm. There are adults, teens, kids, and staff around. There was plenty of street parking. They even had a bounce house outside, but it was raining. A company I had also worked at donated a lot of food and they came to pick it up too. I also think students get credit for volunteering as I saw some of them filling out their forms, etc. A great way to give back! I can't wait to volunteer next year.

We first knew about the food bank when my daughter's school did food drives for them and have donated both cash and food annually. It's easy to shop for them, as we get a detailed list of foods that they want to receive. We also visited once to drop off some food and soap/shampoo and the staff were warm and welcoming. They have a beautiful quilt hanging in their front lobby featuring tshirts from their hunger walk - it's a work of art. However, our experience has been less positive for volunteering. My husband and I feel it's important to get our children involved in our community, and since my daughter was already familiar with the food bank we thought it would be a good choice to have her start there. I spoke with staff and found out to my dismay that the regular food sort times are all on weekday mornings, when my daughter must be at school, and was promised that they would contact us if something on the weekend or afternoon came up, but never heard anything back. Disappointing since we really did want to help out.