Cupertino nonprofit celebrates 50 years of community service
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors recently recognized the 50th anniversary of West Valley Community Services (WVCS). The Cupertino-based nonprofit works to address food insecurity and homelessness in Cupertino, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga, and West San Jose.
“Fifty years is a long time to be doing good work,” said Supervisor Joe Simitian, whose district includes Cupertino. “While the need continues to be great, we should take the time to honor and celebrate significant milestones like this.”
Started by public health nurses Harriet Jackson, Julie Venkus and Sue Borgstrom, the Cupertino Roundup—as the organization was originally known—connected individuals and families to mental health services, housing, childcare, emergency food, clothing and transportation.
To better reflect the communities it serves, the organization changed its name in 2008 to West Valley Community Services. Today, below market rate housing programs offer permanent housing to low-income households at the organization’s Cupertino location, while the onsite food market and Park-It Market mobile food pantry provide food to WVCS clients. The nonprofit administers Reach Your Destination Easily, or RYDE, a door-to-door senior transportation service for older adults.
Earlier this year, Simitian helped WVCS get a county grant to improve distribution efficiencies of the Park-It Market program. The funds were used to establish a satellite location near the center of the Park-It Market’s distribution area, where the mobile food pantry can restock its inventory without having to drive back to the Cupertino location.
“WVCS pivoted at the onset of the pandemic to be able to continue to bring services to their clients and the community,” Simitian said in a release. “With the Park-It Market, the satellite hub will allow WVCS to again pivot to better support and serve their clients.”
For more information, visit https://www.wvcommunityservices.org.