Santa Clarita Food Pantry Resumes Full Operations

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The Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry has announced that it has resumed full operations and regular serving hours after a sudden shutdown in late January amid a dispute between the nonprofit's board and its former executive director. The organization has hired an interim executive director and interim volunteer and outreach director to help navigate the challenges it faces.

Why it matters

The Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry is a critical resource for the local community, providing food assistance to those in need. The recent disruption in service due to internal disputes raised concerns about the pantry's ability to reliably serve its clients, making this announcement of resumed operations an important development.

The details

In late January, the food pantry suddenly closed after its former executive director, Joanne Ainsworth, submitted a complaint to the California Attorney General alleging fraud and misappropriation of funds by board members. Ainsworth was subsequently placed on leave by the board, and the pantry closed when employees hung a sign saying they were on strike due to board malfeasance. The pantry reopened two days later, and has now announced the hiring of Peter Warda as interim executive director and Uzoamaka Aniezue as interim volunteer and outreach director to help the organization regain access to its accounts and necessary systems.

• On January 26, the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry suddenly closed amid a dispute between the board and its former executive director.
• The pantry reopened two days later on January 28.

What’s next

The food pantry will continue working to regain full access to its accounts and systems as it resumes normal operations.