Heart of the Valley: Lindy Boland Keeps Community Pantry Mission Moving Forward

For the past 12 years, Lindy Boland has been one of the driving forces behind the Valley Community Pantry, helping thousands of families, seniors, and individuals throughout Hemet, San Jacinto, Valle Vista, Lakeview, and Nuevo receive food, support, and hope when they need it most.

As Operations Manager of the Valley Community Pantry, Boland oversees nearly every moving part of the organization’s daily operations. From coordinating 20 to 30 volunteers and managing schedules, to organizing food pick-ups and senior deliveries, her work touches nearly every family the pantry serves.

But ask Lindy what matters most, and her answer is simple: people.

“The Valley Community Pantry welcomes everyone,” Boland said. “There are no restrictions to income. Only need. Most of the clients we get are seniors. That is the major percentage of who we help.”

The pantry, part of the nationwide Feeding America network, serves as a lifeline for residents throughout the valley. Through partnerships with Feeding America, the pantry coordinates food pickups from local valley locations as well as Riverside distribution centers to ensure shelves stay stocked for the community.

Boland also works closely with local nonprofits and organizations including My City Youth, Victory Outreach, AFZ Recovery Ranch, Liberty Ranch, and Cornerstone Church to strengthen community outreach efforts and expand available services.

One of the pantry’s unique community partnerships comes through Golden Era Productions, where weekly Friday golf fundraisers are held at the Golden Era Golf Course. Golfers donate the full cost of their game directly to the pantry while still enjoying a round of golf — a creative fundraiser that helps support food distribution and assistance programs.

Boland says none of the pantry’s work would be possible without its dedicated volunteers.

“I can’t say enough about what great volunteers we have,” she said. “They are totally dedicated to helping the community here at the Pantry. They are there because they want to be part of the mission of the Pantry and they work hard and work well together. I love my volunteers.”

The Valley Community Pantry recently moved to a new, more centrally located facility, a change Boland says has greatly improved accessibility for clients.

“It is more central and easier for the clients to get to,” she explained. “It is smaller, but we fit everything. The delivery system works well by having the clients drive up alongside the office, and there is plenty of parking and room.”

Beyond food distribution, the pantry also assists residents with emergency shelter, rent, and utility assistance when grant funding is available. Boland regularly coordinates with utility companies to help struggling families avoid losing essential services.

According to pantry leadership, more than 70 percent of the people they serve are seniors over 60 years old or children under 18.

“The most important service we provide is food and bringing the community close,” Boland said. “We provide a safe place to get the food and services they need with no judgment.”

Under the leadership of Executive Director Phil Burch and an active board of community members, the Valley Community Pantry continues to expand its reach across the valley while maintaining its grassroots mission of helping neighbors in need.

For Lindy Boland, the mission has never been about recognition. It is about showing up every day for the people who depend on the pantry — and making sure no one in the community feels forgotten.

For more information about the Valley Community Pantry, visit Valley Community Pantry.