The Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry received a much-needed $10,000 donation from Wells Fargo to help tackle hunger over the holidays and into 2011. The donation will support the organization’s soaring demand for food services, which experienced more than 42,600 client visits in 2010.

Belinda Crawford, Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry’s executive director, says the donation comes at a time when high unemployment is pushing demands for help to record levels and when charities are worried about resources to meet the needs of the most vulnerable. The Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry, like other food pantries, receives approximately 40% of its charitable donations during the holiday season.

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“Wells Fargo continues to hear from our nonprofit partners about the soaring demand for food while donations decline,” said Melissa White, Wells Fargo Santa Clarita Valley district manager. “We know that we need to support the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry as they provide much-needed support to our community each and every day.”

“At a time when budget cuts and a national economic downturn have significantly increased demand for the SCV Food Pantry’s supportive services, financial support from Wells Fargo and other community sources provides a lifeline to our clients,” said Crawford.  “With this support, our organization will be able to respond to increased community need and serve more individuals and families throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. This $10,000 donation will provide three months worth of milk for the children of our clients.”

About Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry

The Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry has been distributing food to low-income residents of the Santa Clarita Valley since 1986 and moved to the current location on Railroad Avenue in Newhall in 1992. It is a volunteer-based 501 (C)(3) nonprofit organization with over 100 regular volunteers including its board members.

More than 1,100 senior citizens receive food through the SCV Food Pantry Senior Outreach program. Funding to provide fresh milk for the children of our clients is a major concern and need of the SCV Food Pantry. The Food Pantry established the “Milk Money” program to provide one gallon of milk per client child per month. Ongoing support of this program is needed.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.2 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, the Internet (wellsfargo.com and wachovia.com), and other distribution channels across North America and internationally.With more than 278,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in America. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked #19 on Fortune’s 2009 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy all our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially.