past programs

June 3

 Jennifer Caldwell
Chief Development Officer

 Food Share

Our Mission

Food Share is dedicated to leading the fight against hunger in Ventura County.

Because no one should go hungry. 

Since 1978, Food Share has been feeding the hungry in Ventura County. It all began when eight friends banded together to provide food to those in need under a bridge in Ventura, CA. The early philanthropic movement started in a family garage, quickly outgrew a donated fire station in Saticoy and now operates in Oxnard, CA with three warehouses with a combined 46,000 square feet.

Today, staff and volunteers distribute nearly 20 million pounds of food, providing over 16 million meals annually to people in Ventura County through its hunger programs and 175 pantry and program partners. As Ventura County’s regional food bank, Food Share provides food for over 250,000 hungry friends and neighbors annually.

May 20

Margarida Eidson, Business Manager at the Poinsettia Pavilion, discussed the Poinsettia.

May 6

Tricia Legaspi, Event and Community Outreach Coordinator for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

April 15

 Ken McAlpine spoke about the joy of life, travel & writing, along with stories about famous people he met and the fascinating unknown people he cossed paths with along the way.

April 1

 Our VSMG member, Robert (Bob) Coshland, completed his presentation of his outstanding  photographs of his travels across the world, from England, Europe, the Middle East, Turkey, New Zealand, Japan, China, Russia and Mongolia. They include famous sites and unknown places as he traveled for coal mining projects. His discussion of the pictures gives insight into the world he visited. 

March 18

Our VSMG member, Bob Warnagieris,  presented a program on the historic BOMARC missile program, an early Cold War surface-to-air weapon designed to protect against enemy jet aircraft. After WWII the US military decided that anti-aircraft guns could not defend our nation against Soviet nuclear jet bombers. This program was initiated in 1946 and continued through the 1960s. About 200 retired CIM-10A BOMARC-As were

converted to supersonic target drones designated CQM-10A.

March 4

 Phil Chandler owns the Ventura County office of Right at Home, a home care agency that provides in-home companionship and personal care to seniors and disabled adults. 

He presented  

A Caregiver’s Journey: A Roadmap to Senior Care in Ventura County

Do you have a loved one that is aging and wonder how to care for them?

We will provide a comprehensive description of the care options in Ventura County from the caregiver's perspective, along with financial options so the family can learn how to pay for care. Several examples will be provided so you can learn how to apply these ideas to your situation.

Before opening Right at Home seven years ago, Phil had a long and productive career as an engineering manager for several aerospace and defense companies.  He volunteers for the Alzheimer’s Association and Parkinson’s Foundation, and has three adult daughters. In his spare time he enjoys hiking and photography.

February 18

  Caleb Colon, District Executive, SCOUTING AMERICA, Ventura County Council.

He told us about all of the aspects of Scouting for our region, including boys and girls in Cub Scouts, Explorers, Sea Scouts, BSA, Eagle Scouts and Venturing. 

Scouting or the Scout Movement is a movement that aims to support young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society, with a strong focus on the outdoors and survival skills.

February 4

 Our VSMG member, Robert (Bob) Coshland, presented some of his outstanding  photographs of his travels across the world, from England, Europe, the Middle East, Turkey, New Zealand, Japan, China, Russia and Mongolia. They include famous sites and unknown places as he traveled for coal mining projects. His discussion of the pictures gives insight into the world he visited. 

January 21

 Sharon Yoon, Attorney,  presented a program on Ventura’s Grey Law, a free law service in Ventura County for the elderly. She is a licensed attorney and Certified Specialist by the California State Bar, in estate planning, trust and probate law.  

January 7

Amy Dilbeck Kiesewetter, Attorney at Law, spoke on  legal and financial issues for people facing chronic long-term medical issues for loved ones, among subjects covered by her practice. 

Amy's practice focuses on the areas of estate planning, California probate, 

trust administration, and litigation. She has represented clients throughout California.

"Being a cancer survivor will always be an important part of my life. It was the most difficult challenge and at the same time it was a great gift. Because of my experience I can empathize with and inspire others."