About Us
.png)
Menifee Valley Community Cupboard and Thrift Shop
Our primary mission is to alleviate hunger and malnutrition for our neighbors in need, by providing emergency non-perishable food at no cost to the homeless, seniors, families and the working poor who are experiencing tough times. This is made possible in a large part by providing our community with gently used items at a low price, in a clean, safe and friendly environment.
HISTORY
During a workshop in July, 1996 for Valley Health System's Healthier Communities Task Force, a volunteer mother from a Menifee School worried aloud about her concern for the nutritional needs of students during the time they are "off track". By February 1997 a group comprised of civic and church volunteers met to address this concern. Eve Hoover was invited to attend a meeting in February and asked to offer some thoughts on this concern. Work was in progress to put into reality what we now refer to as the Menifee Valley Community Cupboard (MVCC).
Central County United Way lent "seed" money to the struggling group and acted as their fiduciary agent. Supervisor Venable was able to secure $4,300 through the county Economic Development Agency. Community volunteers and organizations dug into their pockets and also gave of their time and energy to find a site and do all that had to be done to start an agency from "scratch". The 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization approval was received and we opened the doors of our first location in January 1998.
.png)
.png)
Menifee Valley Thrift Shop
Hospice of The Valleys founded the Thrift Shop in the 1980’s and in 2002 sold it to the Cupboard.
In September 2022 a boutique corner was opened inside the Thrift Shop and named “Eve’s Closet”
in honor of Eve Hoover.
​
The Thrift Shop provides funds for administrative costs to both the Cupboard and Thrift Store through its sales and donations. Free clothing vouchers are also made available to those served by the food assistance program.
​
From 48 applicants representing 90 people in January, 1998 our first month of operation to more than 11,000 food boxes a year the Cupboard provides an important
safety net to those struggling with the cost of basic essentials.