Heroes, humanitarians and champions of community across Santa Clara County are all responding to COVID-19 in vastly different, yet necessary ways.

In challenging times, specialists are often called in to provide expertise and support on matters outside of the general sphere of crisis response.

And then there's West Valley Community Services— providing food, housing transition and emergency support.

All under one roof.

“It’s hard to ask for help in America because we’re taught in our society that you should pull yourself up by your bootstraps, that you should just figure it out yourself,” said Josh Selo, Executive Director of West Valley Community Services, a community-based nonprofit providing direct assistance services to hyper vulnerable residents living on the west side of Santa Clara County.

“We were established to make sure that our communities could thrive, that every member of our community has the resources they need to live a full life and survive.”

Founded in 1973 and based in nearby Cupertino, West Valley Community Services provides a diverse set of assistance services to support low-income individuals and families that have fallen on tough times, and more recently, those economically challenged by COVID-19.

The nonprofit is the only provider of critical-need services in the western areas of Silicon Valley and during a time where demand for community assistance services is rising— West Valley Community Services was able to raise $2 million for new facilities to better serve the area’s 22,000 hyper vulnerable residents.

West Valley Community Services provides fresh produce through a food pantry that is set up weekly. Visit www.wvcommunityservices.org/food to see hours and locations. Photo courtesy of West Valley Community Services.

From distributing food with an in-house and mobile food pantry to offering emergency financial assistance and supporting displaced individuals, the 47-year-strong nonprofit is a shining beacon of hope in the fight against hunger and homelessness in Silicon Valley.

“One of the things that I'm grateful for living here in Santa Clara County is that we have a very well developed safety net,” said Selo.

“In partnership with the City of San José, the County of Santa Clara, and the network of emergency assistance agencies, we are collaborating with each other to make sure people don’t fall through the cracks.”

Last Wednesday, West Valley Community Services unveiled its temporary facility, located in Cupertino’s The Oaks shopping center, to continue providing food and social services in a time where the need for both has increased.

“We turn around more than a million pounds of food a year, roughly the equivalent of over two million meals,” Selo admitted.

Clients are able to select from an assortment of food free of charge through donations made by local partners including Second Harvest Food Bank, Creekside Farmers’ Market, local vendors and grocery stores. Photo courtesy of West Valley Community Services.

“That is all made possible by the food in our in-person pantry here in Cupertino and our mobile food pantry that we drive around the West Valley.”

Though many heroes have emerged to support vulnerable residents in the South Bay, the Cupertino nonprofit’s one-stop shop model shows just how community-based organizations are able to quickly mobilize during a crisis.

According to Health Research Experts, community-based organizations are key players in creating meaningful partnerships in order to provide services and support to the most marginalized, disadvantaged and stigmatized sections of society.

Nonprofits like West Valley Community Services are key advocates for the community and are often called upon to work with decision-makers and stakeholders in the development of policy, programs, and services.

“Often times we are the ones on the ground in the community and it makes a difference,” Selo remarked. “We become indispensable members of that community and are very aware of the specific challenges facing a community.”

West Valley residents wait in line, while socially distancing, to pick out fresh produce and groceries from the food pantry. Photo courtesy of West Valley Community Services.

Food heroes have emerged from all corners of Santa Clara County and are responding to these times by working together to help those most in need.

And for a well-oiled South Bay nonprofit that is set to open brand-new facilities later this year, weathering the storm is just simply what they do.

“During these unprecedented times I encourage folks to make use of the resources that the county and the city make available through organizations like ours,” said Selo.

“We are here to help them weather this storm so they can get back on their feet.”

West Valley Community Services is in urgent need of donations, volunteers and fundraising support. If you would to contribute or access their services, please visit www.wvcommunityservices.org to learn more.

For more information on how you can access and find food resources in your neighborhood, visit the SCC Food Map. #SiliconValleyStrong #SVEats #KeepSVHealthy