Training and Referrals
As a small agency, we work in cooperation with other partners to achieve our mission to provide nutritious food, education, and referrals to those we serve. We also offer training opportunities for volunteers seeking to acquire work experience and new skills.
Education
We provide bilingual nutrition education to our clients in partnership with other organizations. We provide healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and consumer education to help our program participants make nutritious choices on a limited budget.
Referrals
Many of those in need of food assistance could benefit from other available social services as well. We partner with other local non-profit organizations to provide relevant referrals and information and post and distribute flyers for available services and upcoming events.
Outreach
We host health and social service partners on-site to make their programs more accessible to those we serve. Our outreach partners include the County's Homeless Persons Health Project, the County's MediCal Outreach staff, Dominican Hospital's Mobile Clinic, Second Harvest Food Bank's CalFresh Outreach and Application Assistance team, and Central Coast Energy Services.
Training
Our organization serves as a site for hands-on job training, resume-building, and life development for youth, unemployed adults, seniors, people transitioning to work, and people with disabilities. Our training partners include the Center for Employment Training (CET), the WEX (Work Experience) program of Goodwill / Shoreline for Workforce Santa Cruz County, the Sueños program of Santa Cruz County Office of Education, Community Life Services, a confidential youth program of Encompass, and Peninsula Family Services. Volunteers learn about food safety and handling, food inventory management, culinary arts, customer service, workplace behavior and communication, and a variety of “soft” skills, while gaining experience working with a diverse population. Long-term volunteers have the opportunity to obtain their California Food Handler Certification.
Service Learning
PVLF offers meaningful opportunities for students to learn about their community and social issues through direct service in our kitchen and pantry programs. We have welcomed students from CEIBA College Preparatory Academy, Watsonville High School, Pajaro Valley High School, Monte Vista Christian School, Mount Madonna School, Aptos Junior High School, Aptos High School, and CSU Monterey Bay for service-learning placements, volunteer opportunities, and special service projects throughout the year.
Community Service
PVLF provides volunteer service opportunities for community members who must complete community service or volunteer hours as part of a program requirement. This includes high school students, participants in subsidized housing programs, individuals referred through Community Options, and community members fulfilling CalFresh work and eligibility requirements.
