In a continued effort to serve local families in need, the House of Hope, a ministry of the Church of the Living Savior, is preparing to host their next food drive on Dec. 16. This event comes at a crucial time for the residents of McFarland as the holiday season fast approaches.
The House of Hope was founded and organized by Pastor Anthony Blanco and his wife, Diana Blanco, who recognized the growing needs within their community and aimed to create a support system. Over the years, the ministry has become a steady and trusted presence in McFarland, offering monthly food drives every third Thursday.
Much of the food distributed by the House of Hope is sourced through the Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK), a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing immediate needs faced by low-income and underserved populations throughout the region. According to Pastor Blanco, CAPK’s support enables the ministry to sustain its outreach efforts and ensure that families have continued access to food.
Diana Blanco, co-founder of the ministry, shared that the mission is deeply personal for them.
“My husband has lived here for many years, since he was a child, and he has seen the necessity because we are all immigrants and they also came with a lot of needs,” she said. “Thank God, He put a lot of people in our path to be able to find the food bank, and that’s how we started little by little.”
In addition to food, the House of Hope also distributes household essentials such as shampoo, cleaning supplies, toothpaste, and other basic necessities. These items are especially important during the winter months, when the ministry often sees an increase in families seeking assistance. Blanco explained that the decision to expand beyond food came after recognizing the needs faced by many households.
“We know that sometimes it can be very difficult, so we started to implement something else,” she said. “We began to buy basics shampoos, toothpaste, and we began to give those away to people as long as they contact us, because sometimes there isn’t enough for everybody.”
The Blancos emphasized that the House of Hope does not require documentation nor ask personal questions when distributing goods. For those requiring assistance prior to the monthly distribution, the ministry welcomes individuals to reach out directly at 661-667-8440.
The Church of the Living Savior, located at 149 Fifth Street in McFarland, also offers convenient drive-through services for those picking up food or essential items. With the Dec. 16 food drive approaching, the House of Hope continues to reaffirm its commitment to meeting community needs during a season that needs the most.