New Food Pantry Will Expand Access to Nutritious Food and Essential Support for Santa Ana Families
Santa Ana, CA — 7/24/26 — Share Ourselves is partnering with Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) to establish a food pantry at the Rob Richardson Welcoming Resource Center, expanding access to nutritious food and essential support services for Santa Ana students and families.
The Share Ourselves Board of Directors and the SAUSD Board of Education approved the partnership on 7/21, bringing food assistance directly into a trusted, family-centered location. Share Ourselves will help remove barriers and connect families and individuals with resources that support their health, stability, and well-being.
“Health is everything, and access to nutritious food is essential to overall well-being. Through our whole-person care approach, Share Ourselves addresses the connection between food insecurity and medical needs. We are proud to partner with Santa Ana Unified School District to bring this support closer to families and address one of the fundamental needs that can affect a child’s ability to learn, grow, and thrive.”
– Christy Ward, CEO
The new market-style food pantry will be located at the Rob Richardson Welcoming Resource Center at 1801 S. Poplar St. in Santa Ana, where families can choose nutritious foods that meet their individual needs and preferences. A central resource hub for SAUSD families, the center connects households with services that remove barriers and support student success inside and outside the classroom. The food pantry builds on Share Ourselves’ long-standing partnership with SAUSD, which includes supporting families facing economic challenges through the Adopt A Family program and providing resources.
For more than five decades, Share Ourselves has provided food assistance and other essential services, including medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and social services, to Orange County residents facing barriers to health and stability. In 2025 alone, the organization distributed more than 78,000 bags of groceries to community members at our Costa Mesa location, and this new pantry will expand food assistance in Orange County.
“This food pantry reflects what is possible when trusted organizations come together around the needs of the community,” said Will Klatte, Share Ourselves Board Chair. “By combining Share Ourselves’ experience in providing compassionate, whole-person support with SAUSD’s deep connection to local students and families, we can make essential resources more accessible and help build a healthier, stronger Santa Ana.”
The new food pantry builds on Share Ourselves’ whole-person approach to care, which recognizes that health is influenced by far more than what happens in a medical office. Reliable access to nutritious food, housing, education, financial stability, and other essential resources plays a critical role in the health of individuals and families.
“This partnership represents more than a food pantry; it reflects a shared investment in the health and well-being of our community. By working together, Share Ourselves and the Santa Ana Unified School District are creating new opportunities to support families, reduce barriers, and strengthen the foundation for long-term health,” said Christy Ward, CEO of Share Ourselves.
Share Ourselves and SAUSD share a commitment to meeting families where they are and ensuring they have the support needed to thrive. Additional information about the food pantry, including the groundbreaking, its opening date, hours, and eligibility requirements, will be announced as it becomes available.
About Share Ourselves
Share Ourselves is a community health center committed to providing comprehensive health and support services to all, regardless of income or insurance status. Across six clinic locations in Orange County, Share Ourselves provides medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, care management, and social services. In 2025, the organization provided quality healthcare to over 15,000 patients.
As the home of community healthcare, Share Ourselves addresses the full spectrum of needs that influence health. Services extend beyond clinical care to include food and financial assistance, housing support and navigation, insurance enrollment, and community programs. In 2025, Share Ourselves also distributed more than 78,000 bags of groceries to neighbors experiencing food insecurity.
Rooted in a legacy of volunteerism and compassion, Share Ourselves leads with dignity, champions justice, strives for excellence, and serves with heart. We are servants who provide care and assistance to those in need and act as advocates for systemic change. The organization provides care and assistance to those in need while advocating systemic change so every individual can achieve health and well-being. Learn more at shareourselves.org.
