High Desert Insiders

Front-Yard Pantry, Big Community Heart

• Scott • Season 1 • Episode 5

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Merissas Address: 13744 Choco Road, Apple Valley, CA

CashApp & Venmo: Merissastable

A front-yard cabinet and a mini fridge changed how our corner of Apple Valley fights hunger. When headlines about a government shutdown put SNAP benefits in doubt, Merissa and her mom didn’t wait for a fix. They rolled a cabinet to the driveway, stocked it with pantry staples, and quietly invited neighbors to take what they needed and leave what they could. That simple move sparked a daily exchange: one to three donors most days, six to eight families picking up food, and a living snapshot of what food insecurity really looks like in the High Desert.

We walk through the origin story and the logistics that keep the shelves useful: why bread, peanut butter, jelly, pancake mix, and kid-friendly snacks disappear fastest; how a donated mini fridge opened the door to milk, eggs, and cheese; and the choices behind location, shade, and privacy to protect people and food. Marissa also shares how she balances variety with a separate donations box and why candid tracking of monetary gifts builds trust. The Thanksgiving chapter hits hard—twelve planned meal bags grew into full dinners with turkeys after a last-minute donor stepped up at the Costco checkout, proving how one generous act can scale a grassroots effort overnight.

The conversation stays grounded and nonpartisan: help first, labels later. We talk about zero safety incidents, respectful neighbors, and what it would take to grow into a nonprofit that can partner with local stores and sustain a steady pipeline of staples. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn concern into action, this story offers a blueprint—practical, transparent, and focused on dignity.

Want to be part of it? Bring bread, PB&J, kid snacks, eggs, milk, and cheese. Share the story so families know where to go. And if you found this meaningful, subscribe, leave a review, and pass this along to a friend who cares about community solutions that actually feed people.

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SPEAKER_00:

He's Apple Valley and welcome to the High Desert Insiders, the podcast dedicated to pulling back the curtains on our local government and the issues that truly matter right here in the High Desert. I'm your host, Scott, and every week we're diving deep into the heart of Apple Valley issues. We're not here for the drama, we are here for the discussion. And today we have a very special guest, Marissa. She uh has a super cool story about uh something really amazing that she's doing for the community. And uh I know a lot of us have been interested to hear her story, how it started, what she needs, and how we can help in the future. So uh we'll we'll get together with her here in just a few seconds and you can hear her story. So, here on the podcast, this is where your voice gets heard, your questions get answered, and we all become a little bit more informed and engaged residents of Apple Valley. So, whether you're passing by the iconic Apple Valley Golf Course or waiting for the light on Bear Valley Road, tune in. Let's get the real story, let's make a difference. High Desert Insiders starts right now. Uh thank you, Marissa, for joining us. Uh, I appreciate it today. How are how are you guys doing?

SPEAKER_02:

We're doing really great. Uh pantry's been really busy. How are you?

SPEAKER_00:

Oh, good, good. Uh we are hanging in there and enjoying this nice cold weather. So uh you mentioned the pantry. So you uh you got we we started seeing this on Facebook what uh I don't know, a few few weeks ago to a month ago now. Is that is that correct? Do you remember when you officially started it?

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah, it's been about a month, never take a day or so.

SPEAKER_00:

Okay. Um, and so basically, um for people who don't know, um, this is a you have a pantry, like a literally a cabinet kind of a thing in your front yard to help people who maybe have issues with food or or you know, funding, you know, groceries to eat for their kids and that kind of thing. Is that is that correct, or would you how would you describe it?

SPEAKER_03:

That is exactly how I would describe it. It is an outdoor cabinet that my mom bought, and we're using it right now to help feed the community. Um yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

Okay. So, I mean, you you didn't start like a, you know, like normal people would do, uh say normal people, right? If you're gonna start like a huge organization, right? You didn't start like a nonprofit or rent a building, you just put the cabinet in your driveway and uh posted it everywhere, you know, in all the groups. Um what was that specific moment or or gap that you saw in our community that made you decide to take such a personal you know approach to fighting hunger right here in uh in the high desert?

SPEAKER_03:

Well, it started when the government shutdown happened. Uh, everyone knows when that happened that people were in fear of losing their snap benefits. My mom is disabled because she had a stroke, so she received snap benefits because she can't work. The left side of her body uh, you know, is she has a lot of pain and her left arm, you know, she can't use it anymore. So because of her disability, she gets the snap benefits. So that was something that she was watching, you know, every morning. She was heard on the news and you it it was a hot topic. And not only that, I saw on Facebook everyone else was talking about it. Uh I'm in a lot of mom groups on Facebook, uh local mom groups, and I I saw a lot of fear. And everyone was asking where are the food banks at? When are the food banks happening? What are we gonna do? You know, you hear a mom say, How am I gonna feed my kids? It it hits you. You know, if you've got a heart, it's gonna hit your heart. And it was hitting mine. And I mean, I can take care of my mom, but not everyone has that option. And uh every morning, um, you know, it was people were gonna get their benefits, and the next morning they weren't gonna get them. Or they might get part of their benefits, but not the rest of them. And I I felt like I was just looking through goggles, seeing everyone's fear and people, you know, left and right, I hate to talk about politics, but left and right, you know, blaming each other. And it it hit home, and I had to do something about it. And I saw somebody on TikTok at the Sarga Free Food Pantry in front of her home and I said, I have to do this. Like I absolutely have to. It it felt like a call to arms, you know, to help people like the way she was, and then I just called my mom and said, I'm gonna put this cabinet that you bought out in front. I'm gonna go to the Dollar Tree and I'm going to put some stuff out and we're gonna see what happens. She said, Okay, I'm coming with you. Let's do this. So that's how we got started.

SPEAKER_00:

Okay. Yeah, I think I think you could sum up 99% of Americans during that time, they were all pretty frustrated, no matter their viewpoints on anything. You know?

SPEAKER_01:

Yes.

SPEAKER_00:

And it especially was frustrating. I know for me, for everyone I knew, uh, because I I'm a defense contractor, so I I work for the government, but I, you know, I'm not a civilian, so I still got paid. But uh, we felt bad for the people who didn't. And it's like, come on, can't we just stop? People are losing, you know, people are not gonna be able to eat. And it was frustrating, I think, for all of us.

SPEAKER_03:

So that's absolutely yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

So awesome that you started it. Um and like since you announced all of this on social media about a month ago, um, what's the you know rhythm been like? Like, does the cabinet stay stocked? Because neighbors are helping? Are you finding that it empties out sometimes almost like as soon as you fill it? And um, because I think that turnover rate says a lot about the need in the high desert.

SPEAKER_03:

Well, we got really lucky that we have a lot of generous people up here because the turnover rate is high, but that's only because we have just about as many people donating as we do uh people that coming by that are in need. We uh I probably get one to three people donating every day, and I probably get about six to eight people coming that are in need. Now the need was higher when people were in fear of losing their benefits, you know, and I can understand that. Uh they were coming more often, they were taking more, and uh, you know, we try, you know, we weren't judging them, you know, because they're scared. They have little kids to feed, they're seniors, you know. Um, but it has slowed down, and so have the donations. I'd say they're about equal right now, but at this moment, we're actually in need of donations today. We're very low. Um yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

Well, we'll we'll we'll get your uh your information in the description so people hear this and they want to donate, then they can definitely uh find you and uh and figure out where they can drop stuff off at. Um and we'll talk what what kind of stuff do you need most? What's that now? What what do you think goes out the fastest that really you need replaced more often than not? Or you know, what do you need most, really?

SPEAKER_03:

Well, as far as the pantry cabinet goes, definitely bread, peanut butter, jelly. We've had a lot of people donate uh pancake mix, but that goes super fast too. Uh condiments went way faster than I thought they would. Uh snacks for kids, which is a big one for me. I'm always pushing that when I'm asking for donations in the videos because you know, kids will kids will eat kids will eat so much and they're great, you know, for their lunches, and I I want to make sure that they're fed.

unknown:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03:

Uh as far as the mini fridge goes, eggs, milk, and cheese, those are the things that we've been trying to focus on putting there, and they've been going just as fast as we've been putting them in.

SPEAKER_00:

Okay. And so you you didn't start with that fridge though, side note, but you you got that shortly after, correct?

SPEAKER_03:

Correct. So we got really lucky that one of the people that needed to come and pick up a few weeks ago asked me if I would like the mini fridge because they had one and they weren't using it. So I thought that was a great idea. I know that um, you know, the food banks don't always give refrigerated items, so I thought that would be really helpful to people.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah. Yeah, I think that's a great idea, and I think the generosity of the high desert has really has really shown, you know. I think it's super awesome to see that. Um and I I I gotta ask, because I I was a my background, I was a former cop. I was a cop for a while, so this is always in my mind. But how do you think the um the safety aspect for you and your family? Is there been any issues of you know things happening that you were concerned about, or has it all been pretty everyone been pretty good when they come to to pick up food?

SPEAKER_03:

You know, that's funny that you say that because I have had a lot of people ask me about that, and we've had zero issues.

SPEAKER_01:

Wow, that's awesome. That's cool.

SPEAKER_00:

Um and I I think tying into that, right? Um, and I I know I won't talk about it here, but in other episodes we talk about some local politics issues, you know. Um and because it's just a cabinet there on your private property, have you had any issues like from the town, or I don't think you have any HOAs there where you live. Um and like with that, do you think the town supports that or are they kind of frustrated with you or anything like that?

SPEAKER_03:

Uh I can't really say. I haven't been in contact with anyone in the town. Luckily, we haven't had any issues. I did my best to do as much research as I could to see what kind of problems I might run into. So a lot of people were expecting the pantry to be right on the street, and uh I decided to put it halfway down my driveway uh so that people could have privacy and so I wouldn't have any issues with the city. But we did have to move it over to my garage because you know how the Thai Desert Sun can be. Yeah so I think if they passed by they probably wouldn't even notice it, to be completely honest with you. So hopefully we'll keep it that way.

SPEAKER_00:

Good. Yeah, I hope so too. I mean, uh, you would figure the county or not county, the the city, a town would have some have a heart and understanding that you're just trying to help and not lower someone's property value or something stupid. Right.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah, but you never know, you know, you never know.

SPEAKER_00:

So you you do all this all of this by yourself, right? Um, and so running this out of your own pocket and personal like stockpile can get expensive and exhausting, you know, it's a lot of work. And so for listeners who want to support the you know your cabinet, and what do you you know, is there anything they can do other than bringing groceries? I I know that that's a big topic, or is that really the best thing they can do?

SPEAKER_03:

Bringing groceries is definitely the best thing they can do. I uh after trial and error, I decided to put out a new donations box next to the pantry. Uh our pantry can only hold so much, so I wanted to make sure we had a variety of items. So uh when they come and bring to that donation box, when I get the time, I can come and go through everything and make sure, you know, that we have a variety and not just like 40 cans of green beans or something.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, for sure. Um and let me ask you this, what is the what do you think in your mind? Like what is the end state or the the the you know the future of this look like? Um kind of keeping this how it is, maybe growing it to something else. I don't know. What are your what are your thoughts and or dreams about it if you if you had any had any about them, you know?

SPEAKER_03:

If to answer that honestly, I'm not a hundred percent sure at the moment. I have done some research on how to file for the the nonprofit status because there, you know, the need up here is so high, and I want to make sure that this can keep going for as long as that I'm here. So that means we're gonna need you know donations constantly. Um so if I was dreaming big, I would definitely say that I would make this into a nonprofit so that we can go ahead and get donations from stores. Um it's going good the way it is right now. So I think maybe after Christmas uh I might dig into that a little bit deeper and see what we can do.

SPEAKER_00:

Uh-huh. And I know if I remember right, um, because I see I see your stuff all the time. Over Thanksgiving, you had someone with uh did they donate a bunch of turkeys if I remember right?

SPEAKER_03:

So Thanksgiving, we started receiving some uh Thanksgiving type donations about two weeks uh before then. And uh I had reached out to people and asked them, you know, can you get mashed potatoes? Can you can someone get pies? And there were people messaging me and they would say, Okay, I'll bring some by. So a few weeks before Thanksgiving, we had some people come and drop off some donations that were Thanksgiving related items. So we started off with wanting to do 12 bags, and at the very last second when I was checking out two days before Thanksgiving, buying pies at Costco, I was getting in line with my husband, and someone commented on my Facebook post and said, I'd like to send you some money to make sure you get everything you need. Please send me a message with your information. And I did. And she sent a very, very large donation that had me in tears in the checkout line at Costco. And I immediately turned around and grabbed some turkeys to add to our Thanksgiving meals because we did not have the funds for the turkeys to begin with. So it was kind of meant to be because it was gonna be my last shopping trip, and thankfully she did that for us, and we were able to get turkeys.

SPEAKER_00:

Wow, that's awesome.

SPEAKER_03:

Are you still at a point with this that you are contributing a lot yourself out of your own pocket, or is it pretty, you know, even or I mean I don't know if you want to say probably about 85% donations and 15% my mom and I going and buying things. I would really hate for anyone to come. Uh I've had someone tell me they drove 30 minutes because they had gas, but they didn't have money to feed their kids. And if they drove here and there was no food for them, I it would just break my heart. So I can't have that happen. But luckily we have had a lot of donations, um, you know, I say about 85% from the community, which is a great help.

SPEAKER_00:

Okay. Yeah, for sure. Um, and then I think the last thing, and I kind of put this question in at the last second, but I mean I I think of this in general before all of this, you know, all I saw all of your posts, you know, and everything is that, you know. I would expect this from like a large organization or even this the town, you know, but uh I I didn't, you know. Um and politics aside, right? I don't ask this question carefully here. Um if like people out there are listening to you know to this, or even even people that you know are in the town or something, like what what would you say to to them about this, if anything at all, or how can they help you maybe specifically with with this in the in the town or things that you might need, or you know, in terms of not necessarily supplies, but maybe I don't know, help with this in other ways. Is there anything that you would do or ask for?

SPEAKER_03:

The only thing that I could ask for that would be supplies aside is just support. Help spreading the word, sharing posts um that I'm making. Um and not shutting me down. Definitely not shutting me down.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, for sure. Well, and and I and the only reason I asked that is because we do have a lot of people who listen and who I talk to that are you know involved with the city or the town rather, and uh, and so if it you know if they ever asked about something like that, I'd love to be able to say something to that effect. So um oh yeah, well, I'd tell you what, Marissa, um that's about all of the questions I I had at least you know written down beforehand for the most part. Um, is there anything at all, I mean, related to this or anything else really that you would want to tell people of the high desert, uh, even about your pantry, about anything else, anything you'd like to say to them at all? I love to give all of my guests a chance to say say something, uh, whatever they want here before we uh before we head out. So what would you what would you want to say?

SPEAKER_03:

I would say with the way that our country is right now, I would really hope that people would stop pointing fingers and just come together for each other. There are babies that I help through this pantry, there are little kids, moms, even dads, you know, elderly people that can barely walk. I had someone come with their caretaker the other day and he helped her. This isn't about pointing fingers, this isn't about sides. I I truly believe that for everyone to be happy that we need to give to each other when we can. And that's what I'm trying to accomplish, and I hope that everyone can take that away from what we're doing right now.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah. I meant that.

SPEAKER_03:

Thank you.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, I I I unfortunately I think that all too often people's politics get in the way of people, if that makes any sense, right?

SPEAKER_03:

Absolutely, absolutely.

SPEAKER_00:

I mean, the government shutdown was a huge example, and I'm totally it's totally frustrating whether you're left, right, or in the middle, you know. Um I don't know. That's I could get it.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah, I I I've been on both sides, to be honest with you. I've I've been on both sides, and uh more recently I I feel like I've opened my eyes more and I consider myself more of an independent, and I feel like like I I see what's really happening and I see how people are divided and that's just not the way we were meant to live.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah. Yeah, and I think if you talk to most Americans, I think they would be very similar to you. You know, and I'm the same way. You know, I I don't understand why we have to be far left or far right or you know, why can't we just all be good people and help each other out and do what we need to do to protect ourselves and you know, and all of those things instead of being so polar opposites all the time. It's un it's unfortunate.

SPEAKER_03:

Yes, I always say can't I just exist.

SPEAKER_00:

Alright. Well, hey Marissa, I I really appreciate you coming coming on today and sharing about this. I know a lot of people have seen your posts and so I know I was curious about how it was going, what you needed and how it all started, so I know other people were too. So thank you so much for coming on and sharing your story, and we hope that it uh it continues to improve and continues to get better and people can get help they need. Uh what is uh where is the pantry that do you have an address that they that you can give out? And I will put it in the note comments as well.

SPEAKER_03:

Yes, our address is 1374 Choco Road in Apple Valley. If you'd like to donate, you can come by. If you'd like to donate, but you can't make it by it. We are accepting monetary donations um electronically as well.

SPEAKER_00:

Okay. All right, and I will uh I'll grab that info from you after we're done here and I'll put that in the comments below. So if you guys are interested in listening and want to do that, uh just check the uh comments below on your respective platforms and you can do that there. So awesome. Well, thank you, Marissa. I appreciate it. I know you gotta go get kids picked up. So uh we will uh we'll talk soon and see how it's going. Thank you.

SPEAKER_03:

Sounds good, Scott. Thank you so much for having me.

SPEAKER_00:

Of course. Well, that was a really awesome discussion. I'm super thankful to hear from uh Marissa and all of the cool stuff she's doing there. One thing she did want to add that we didn't get to, there is uh they are accepting those financial uh monetary donations, but she did want to make sure to add that they're they are taking very good track of it, keeping everything separate so you can ensure that your donation is safe uh and goes to the actual pantry and not just anything crazy. So she wanted me to make sure to say that so you guys weren't afraid of that. So uh want to thank Marissa for coming out today and thank everyone for listening. We truly appreciate it. If you guys are interested, make sure to check the description to donate to her uh or to check out any of our other things down there. Thank you guys so much for joining us this week on the High Desert Insiders, where we talk about issues that matter to you each week. And we will catch you guys again next week.