Hunger Doesn't Take a Holiday: Simi Valley Kiwanis Food Drive Returns November 11 |
What to donate, where to drop it off, and how a local Veterans Day food drive helps neighbors in need. |
With the holidays approaching, it's easy to focus on what's going onto our own tables. But for some Simi Valley neighbors, putting together an everyday meal is already a challenge. This Veterans Day, the Kiwanis Club of Simi Valley is inviting the community to help stock local food assistance programs through its Great American Food Drive.
The club has organized food drives in several formats over the years, from neighborhood collections to drive-through donations. According to Kiwanis' description of its community service projects, collected food, personal care supplies and funds help support the Salvation Army, Samaritan Center and other organizations distributing food locally.
Where and when to donate
Great American Food Drive Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2026
These 2026 event details come from the Kiwanis event flyer. The club's general Great American Food Drive information describes the recurring project, but does not independently list this year's specific hours. We recommend confirming any last-minute changes with the organizer.
Why this matters close to home
Food insecurity is not always visible.
It can affect:
It means a household does not consistently have access to enough affordable, nutritious food.
Food Share of Ventura County reports that one in four county residents experiences food insecurity. The organization says approximately 254,000 people sought its assistance in 2025. Those are countywide figures, not a count of Simi Valley residents, but they help explain the need local donation drives are trying to address. Learn more in Food Share's report on hunger in Ventura County.
What Kiwanis is asking for
The event flyer includes a practical shopping list. Whether you're picking up a few extra groceries or filling a bag, the requested items cover food, baby supplies, cleaning necessities and personal care.
Food and pantry staples
Household and personal care items
Gift cards are also included on the flyer. If you're planning to donate one, contact Kiwanis to confirm preferred retailers and how cards should be handed over.
A separate Thanksgiving wish list for veterans
The flyer also includes a special Thanksgiving for Veterans section. Its requested items are:
These Thanksgiving items are listed separately so donors can easily shop for the veteran-focused holiday meals. You can also view the original Kiwanis food drive flyer.
A simple way to participate
If you're making a grocery run before November 11, consider adding a few items from the list to your cart. Nonperishable foods and unopened, usable household supplies are practical choices. A single bag can make a difference when combined with the donations of other neighbors.
The drive is designed as a local collection, and the Kiwanis Club says the food and funds from its events are distributed to organizations serving the Simi Valley community. For updates, visit the Kiwanis Club of Simi Valley website.
Event details supplied from the organizer's flyer. Donation list reproduced from the flyer. Event plans are subject to change.
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9 Comments
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Glad the details were posted early. Feels like it sneaks up right after Halloween every time. I’ll let my church group know about the event.
I love that there’s a special Thanksgiving list for veterans. If anyone needs info on what stores have canned hams on sale, Ralphs had a few last week!
The drive-through setup is so much easier than lugging bags somewhere and waiting in line. Appreciate the convenience this year.
Seems like every year the need just keeps growing. I’ll be there, but I wish we didn’t have to rely on food drives for basics in 2026.
George C.I hear you, George. It would be nice if there was less need for these drives every year. Still, it’s great that folks here step up to help out our neighbors.
My family got help from Samaritan Center years ago. It was a tough time but that support made a difference. Now I always give back if I can. Good on Kiwanis for stepping up.
One in four people in the county are food insecure? That’s way more than I realized. I’ll try to grab a bag of pantry staples before the 11th.
Does anyone know if they take gluten free or organic foods? My son has allergies and we usually buy those. Want to make sure my donation is actually useful.
Really like that they included personal care items and diapers too. Not everyone thinks of those when donating, but they’re always needed. Thank you for the reminder.