With the government shutdown, Inland Valley Hope Partners is requesting the community’s help in providing for the area’s needy.

The local nonprofit is looking for individuals, schools, companies and places of workshop to assist in hosting food drives or donating food items to help those in need of assistance, but unable to receive help with federal services on pause. Hope Partners on average serve some 4,500 people monthly. This number is expected to rise as the problems in Washington continue.

Non-perishable food items like rice, canned meat, or mac and cheese, may be dropped off at Hope Partners Sova food pantry, located at 904 E. California Street in Ontario, or the Beta food pantry located at 209 W. Pearl in Pomona, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information on Inland Valley Hope Partners food donations, call Fran Robertson at 622-3806, ext. 231 or email Franr@InlandValleyHopePartners.org.