Support St.Mark's Food Pantry in Venice and Keep it Thriving

Hi, I'm Lia Manzella. I am a Clinical Social Worker with a Master's Degree in Social Work. With compassion, integrity, creativity and empathy, I contribute to our diverse communities and those in need to help elevate lives and bridge the gap with much needed resource support.

This Fall and Winter Season 2024, I am supporting the fundraiser for St. Mark's Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry located at St. Mark's Catholic Church 940 Coeur D Alene Avenue, Venice, CA 90291.

Please watch the attached link from the documentary called "Nothing Wasted Part 1" created by LMU students to support this fundraiser. https://vimeo.com/1020390444

This fundraiser is to keep "Loaves and Fishes" Food Pantry in Venice running for years to come. "Loaves and Fishes" first food distribution was on October 3rd, 2020. The food pantry is over 4 years strong and has grown tremendously in distribution and is in high demand from our community. Facts: Over 51,000 people will receive food in 2024. 1/3 of the food comes from Westside Food Bank in Santa Monica, 1/3 of the food comes from hubs in Torrance and Culver/Palms YMCA. The rest comes from FoodCycle and other vendors. We are so grateful for everyone's support, no matter how big or small. Each week 15,000 lbs. of food are distributed to more than 360 families, which is an average of 1,400 people a week. Each week more than 60 volunteers prepare and distribute the food, which many volunteers prepare all week long in preparation for Saturday's Food Pantry in Venice. This fundraiser will help provide for restaurant style refrigerators, equipment and other food pantry needs. All donations will go toward St. Mark's "Loaves and Fishes" Food Pantry to keep it running. It would be nice to surprise the food pantry with an electric motorized pallet jack too, because moving heavy boxes of produce, cans and dry good can be extremely heavy. This fundraiser is a start of what God has planned. God is moving strong at St. Mark's Food Pantry. Be a part of the support. When the heart of the community come together, the body of Christ flourishes and helps each other.

If you can provide support, we would be forever grateful.