Pantry Client Story: Victoria

Meet Victoria! Victoria is our Monthly Client Feature at the Samaritan Center!

Victoria has been visiting the Samaritan Center food pantry once a week since June 2024. Her household includes her husband, three children, and two dogs. Victoria emphasized that having a stable source of groceries each week is essential for her family’s well-being. With this support, she is able to focus on other general needs and stay ahead on recurring bills, which helps ease the financial burden.

She first visited the Samaritan Center food pantry after her husband had lost his job in May 2024 and their family began experiencing food insecurities. She mentioned the first impression she had of the Center was the staff being extremely helpful and friendly. On her first visit, the Samaritan Center’s food pantry was a drive-through only. After a few weeks of visiting, the Center had converted the drive-through to be a walk-in pantry only. She expressed that she enjoyed this experience much more than before because now she was able to choose each item to her specifications. She also mentioned that being able to choose exactly what they were in need of it significantly reduced food waste in their household. 

Victoria shared that she deeply values the consistent kindness and support she receives during her visits. She believes the food pantry has played a vital role in helping her family avoid homelessness and manage the ongoing stresses of financial hardship. “I look forward to visiting the pantry every week,” she said. “I greatly rely on and appreciate all that the Samaritan Center does.”

While Victoria’s photo is not featured here, we’ve included a photo of community members waiting in line at the pantry to reflect the collective experience of those we serve.

If you or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity, our pantry is open for unhoused individuals on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00–10:30 a.m. For those who are housed but facing food insecurity, pantry hours are Tuesdays or Thursdays from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Thank you for sharing your story, Victoria!