Chula Vista Welfare Council

Our History

The Chula Vista Welfare Council (CVWC) was founded in 1917 to provide emergency food assistance to families in need, and over a concern that students on the school lunch programs would go hungry during Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. As Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) began to grow, and the need for food assistance during school breaks also grew, the CVWC recruited school nurses to assist with the program. Nurses referred families for holiday food assistance and assisted with annual canned food drives at their sites.  

Over 100 years later the CVWC, with the help of many organizations and groups, can provide an emergency food box and a $25 grocery card to over 500 families. The December distribution to families, referred by school nurses, uses about half the supply of food packed. The other half is disbursed throughout the year through our partnership with the Chula Vista Community Collaborative Family Resource Centers, which offer support to these families with resources and referrals. The Chula Vista Community Collaborative also provides CVWC with office space.

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A special thank you to the organizations and groups who continue to support our efforts.  Chula Vista Elementary School District, Chula Vista Community Collaborative, Sweetwater Women’s Club, Chula Vista Sunrise Rotary, Chula Vista Community Church, Chula Vista Police Activities League, Chula Vista Fire Fighters Foundation, Northgate Market, Ralphs, Goya Foods, Sweetwater Union High School District, Promotoras Activas para la Comunidad, San Diego Party Rentals, Las Primeras, and Republic Services.