Kelli Makenna Kuttruff
Staff Writer
Sowing Seeds for Life held a food drive at Real Life Church of LA in Glendora Saturday morning, where food was available for anyone experiencing food insecurity.
As the winner of the 2022 Excellence in La Verne Award for Nonprofit of the Year, Sowing Seeds for Life’s mission is to end hunger in communities with the help of volunteers and donors. This nonprofit organization brings food to Real Life of LA Church on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, where about 20 volunteers run the food pantry.
Lead Pastor Jim Miller talked about how this pantry has expanded from having around 10 cars when they began in March 2021, to around 100 cars, helping roughly 450 people per Saturday. Community involvement spurs others to become involved, and Miller shared that each Saturday, a grandmother named Irene is the first in line an hour before the pantry opens at 8 a.m.
“She runs a little charity of her own,” Miller said.
As a volunteer since day one of this food pantry, Bonni Carr said it’s important not to judge people based on appearances, and instead focusing on absolute need. She recalled when a mother of six came through the drive crying and saying that they do not know how hard it is suddenly being out of work and dealing with food insecurity while raising young kids.
As this food drive continues to expand through word of mouth, Carr said that knowing she can do something to help those who really need is meaningful for her because one never knows what someone’s story is.
Volunteer Jody Sandoval said what makes Sowing Seeds for Life drives at this church unique is that they will serve anybody.
Some pantries will only give to those who are nearby residents and can provide identification, Sandoval said.
“We take them at their word,” she added.
Because the Sowing Seeds for Life pantry will take anyone, people like Lucia Saldana from Baldwin Park are able to access this service. Saturday was Saldana’s second time picking up food at this pantry after she was referred here by a friend. Saldana described this food pantry as perfect in the way it is organized with a line of cars and smiling volunteers ready to help.
Saldana’s favorite part of the drive is that they offer everyone a prayer as it relaxes her when a volunteer prays over her, she said.
“This prayer is the most beautiful part,” Saldana said.
Each time a car arrives, the volunteers end by asking how they can pray for them, and leave it up to each individual whether they choose to accept.
Sowing Seeds for Life follows the expanding need many are facing.
The word of this nonprofit spreads quickly, which is vital for anyone to discover that this food pantry is ready to help them.
“It is beautiful giving back to the community,” Saldana said.
Kelli Makenna Kuttruff can be reached at kelli.kuttruff@laverne.edu.
Kelli Makenna Kuttruff is a senior communications major with an emphasis in public relations. She is the arts editor of the Campus Times, and is in her second semester as a staff writer.
