"Mankind's duty"
The Church of Hope, which has about 140 members, has operated the food pantry and thrift store for about 17 years. The church is 18 years old.

Those in need of food simply have to walk in with their photo identification and they are given a box of food every 30 days. The pantry also tries to have bread available for free at all times.

The pantry keeps a list of all the individuals it serves - several binders with the records of 3,500 names sits behind the front counter. Spears said on an hourly basis, anywhere from four to 25 people visit the pantry/thrift store.

"It's mankind's duty to care about their brother," Spears said. "Jesus specifically asked us to feed and clothe the hungry and poor."

"It brings you a peace of mind to know you're helping someone because it's love and that's what God wants us to do," she added.

There are other food pantries in the SCV, but the Church of Hope's pantry is the only one in full-time operation. And Spears said that is significant because, "Well, there's people hungry other times of the week."

Spears said congregation members and leaders were inspired to open the pantry and thrift shop by two homeless men who used to take out the trash for the church.

"We realized if they're out there, there were probably others," she said. "We've helped a lot of people over the years."

Spears said they could not operate without the help of hundreds of generous community members and Vons grocery stores that provide bread and dairy products.

Other religious groups like local Episcopalians and the Unitarian Universalists also participate in the donations, said Pastor George McLeary of the Church of Hope, an Evangelical Lutheran congregation.

Nonmaterial rewards
Stephanie Caton is not a member of the church, but is an employee of the pantry/thrift shop. She said working at the store has given her a fulfillment unlike any other job has.

"Nobody wants to think their neighbor is suffering, and people don't know we're here either," she said. "We have a lot of homeless in the Santa Clarita Valley, you get to know a lot of them by name."

Caton said although her work may only be "a spec in the grand scheme of things, that tiny spec matters," because she is directly affecting the lives of others.

Caton, who is an atheist, said she found a welcoming community within the pantry.

"Even though it is run by the church, nobody puts out that judgment on you that you have to be anything," she said. "The church members are very gracious and I feel really lucky to be here."

Joyce Hall is one of 10 volunteers who donate hours of time to help the local needy.

"(Being here) is about the same as going to church once a week - it makes the whole week better," said Hall, who's volunteered for more than 10 years. "When I think I have a problem, someone comes in with so much bigger a problem, and my problems don't matter anymore."

Stories hit hard
McLeary said one story which immediately comes to his mind always tears at his heart.

"A man paced back and forth outside for 20 minutes," he said. "He came in distressed looking. He finally had to say, I need food for my kids. It was the hardest thing in the world for him to do."

McLeary said the pantry/thrift store staff try to do everything they can to make the pantry a welcoming place.

"We try to make it as easy as we can for people to come in and get help without feeling they have to grovel or beg or feel bad about themselves," he said.

Even in times when donations run low, Spears said she believes she knows how they get through those rough patches.

"I think the almighty Lord is really watching over this place because we help a lot of his people here," Spears said.