Valley Community Pantry leaders tell Hemet council they need a new facility or risk closure

Representatives of the Valley Community Pantry told the Hemet City Council on Oct. 14 that the nonprofit faces an urgent need to relocate and that, without a new facility, it could be forced to suspend operations.

Dan Cortesi, identified in the record as president of the Valley Community Pantry, told the council the pantry serves 13,710 registered families—about 41,000 people—and distributes more than 750,000 pounds of food annually. He said the pantry serves 183 disabled veterans, 2,989 seniors on Social Security and other vulnerable groups and asked the city to help find space, noting the Simpson Center as a potential location.

“Without a new facility, we risk closing our doors,” Cortesi said, and he asked the council to consider options that would allow the pantry to expand services “without the burden of market-rate rent.”

Vice president Liz Dubril said she was once a pantry client and described the pantry’s role in restoring dignity for families facing hardship. She asked the council to support a relocation that would allow the pantry to continue serving its clients.

Longtime pantry leader Jim (surname reported in the record variously as Lineberger/Limburger/Lundberg) said he has run the organization for about 15 years and described personal health issues and financial strain; he said he plans to retire Dec. 31 but worries that without a relocation the pantry’s services—such as Thanksgiving meal distributions and emergency rental/utility assistance—will be disrupted. He said the pantry provided roughly $25–$300 in bill or rent assistance to clients and handles both food distribution and donated household items.

Why it matters: Speakers described the pantry as a key safety-net provider in the Valley, operating food recovery activities in compliance with California Senate Bill 1383 and relying on community donations and volunteer labor. Leaders asked for city support to secure a nonprofit-friendly facility and emphasized the scale of demand: Cortesi said pantry clients have an average income of $15,680 per year and that 42% of clients live below the federal poverty line for a family of three, as presented in his remarks.

Details and programs mentioned: Cortesi said the pantry operates under California’s SB 1383 food-recovery rules, has distributed more than 750,000 pounds of food in the past year, and has held multiple certification and training events. Jim described in detail the pantry’s daily operations, volunteer contributions and a history of community donations that sustain it.

The speakers asked the council for help in identifying alternative space, possible partnerships and other supports. No formal council action on relocation or funding was recorded during the public-comment portion of the meeting in the transcript provided.