CHULA VISTA — A ribbon-cutting Feb. 25 at the Civic Center Chula Vista Public Library (365 F St.) celebrated the opening of South Bay’s first city-operated food pantry.
The pantry, which opened to the public March 4, operates out of the library. It is a partnership between the City of Chula Vista and Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego.
The pantry offers a rotating selection of food items to help address food insecurity in the Chula Vista community.
Appaswamy “Vino” Pajanor, CEO of Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego, said that the new food pantry “represents a meaningful step forward in making food assistance more accessible, dignified and welcoming for all.”
The pantry is part of Catholic Charities’ Emergency Food Distribution Network + program, which delivers food to individuals and families through a network of 21 food distribution sites in San Diego and Imperial counties.
“By operating our Emergency Food Distribution Network + program in a trusted community space like the library,” said Pajanor, “we are meeting people where they are and ensuring that no family in our community has to face hunger alone.”
Hours of operation are Mondays and Wednesdays from noon to 7 p.m. Patrons are required to register online at chulavistaca.gov or by phone at (619) 323-2841, with languages available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
For more information, visit ccdsd.org.
