Camarillo City Council
AGENDA REPORT
Date: September 24, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Subject: Ventura County Neighbors Support Coalition & Community Support Funding
BACKGROUND
In accordance with City Council Policy 1.04 “City Councilmember Requests to Schedule City Council Meeting Agenda Items,” at the August 13, 2025, City Council meeting, Councilmember Susan Santangelo made a request to consider a contribution to the Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund (Fund) developed by the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF).
Staff brought the item for Council discussion at the City Council meeting of August 27, 2025, requesting the City Council provide staff direction on how to proceed with the item.
VCCF provided an informational presentation on the Fund, more specifically on the purpose of creating a fund in response to a growing humanitarian crisis affecting families, workers, and small businesses across the county.
The Fund is managed by the VCCF in partnership with local leaders and organizations to ensure transparent and effective distribution of resources. Its mission is rooted in compassion, resilience, and collective care for the most vulnerable. The Fund provides immediate assistance for food, shelter, and basic necessities, while also supporting agricultural workers, small businesses, and local nonprofits. It aims to stabilize families and safeguard the local economy by addressing both short-term needs and long-term impacts. Funding decisions are guided by a special advisory committee, and contributions go directly to urgent needs: food, shelter, rent, transportation, and critical services without administrative overhead. Support is available to families, students, and businesses in crisis, as noted in the Frequently Asked Questions on the Fund webpage.
Following Council deliberation, Mayor Kevin Kildee requested that staff explore funding a community need specific to Camarillo residents in the amount of $50,000. The City Manager was directed to explore options with the VCCF and return for further direction.
Ventura County Neighbors Support Coalition & Community Support Funding September 24, 2025
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DISCUSSION
City Manager Greg Ramirez met with VCCF CEO/President Vanessa Bechtel and Mike Soules to discuss the Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund and various opportunities for direct funding to assist with community needs. Ms. Bechtel also discussed the Ventura County Neighbors Support Coalition.
Ventura County Neighbors Support Coalition
The Coalition is made up of all sectors of our County, including: the County of Ventura, Cities, K12 and Higher Education, Economic Development, Chambers of Commerce, Social Support Organizations, small businesses, Banks and Credit Unions, Philanthropic Foundations, and Individuals. A special advisory committee stewards fund distribution. It is a nimble, responsive model that addresses immediate needs while reinforcing the broader systems of care in Ventura County. More details about the Neighbors Support Coalition and Fund, as well as the grant application, are available at vccf.org/neighbors.
The City Council may choose to endorse the Ventura County Neighbors Support Coalition, which does not commit the City to funding any VCCF initiative. Endorsement establishes the City’s recognition and appreciation of VCCF’s efforts and its partners in advancing this important work.
Community Support Funding
In consultation with VCCF and separate from a contribution to the Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund, City Council may choose to fund a special project that will provide direct relief to Camarillo residents who have been impacted by recent immigration enforcement activities in the community.
To date, VCCF has received 28 grants, two of which have direct ties to serving Camarillo residents, which is a criteria that the City Council mentioned during their comments at the City Council meeting on August 27, 2025. The following grants requests have been submitted to VCCF but have not yet been funded by the Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund:
•FoodShare seeks funding to assemble and distribute emergency food boxes to vulnerable households unable to leave home, including seniors, families with children, and people with disabilities. Food Share requested $28,000, with $14,000 being the minimum amount viable to support their efforts.
•Saticoy Food Hub requests funding to purchase a new walk-in refrigerator, expand local food purchasing, and sustain pantry operations for 100+ families in the local community, including Camarillo residents, affected by enforcement actions. July 2025 saw 11,000+ pounds of food distributed. Saticoy Food Hub requested $74,605, with $35,000 being the minimum amount viable to support their efforts.
Ventura County Neighbors Support Coalition & Community Support Funding September 24, 2025
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Should the City Council decide to fund $50,000 to help support both the Food Share and Saticoy Food Hub requests, VCCF will match the City’s contribution so that together the City and VCCF can fully fund both requests. Specifically, the City will fund $15,000 for Food Share and $35,000 for Saticoy Food Hub for a total of $50,000. VCCF proposes matching those funds with an additional $13,000 to Food Share and $39,605 to Saticoy Food Hub. Funding from the City of Camarillo and VCCF will cover both local organizations’ maximum requests.
The City Manager has confirmed that both programs and funding requests are consistent with existing City Council Policy 1.12, Community Service Grants.
FISCAL IMPACT
An appropriation of $50,000 for community humanitarian needs specific to Camarillo residents in the Community Support Account No. 101-4500-441.45-13 from General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance is required.
CEQA DETERMINATIONS
Not applicable
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council take one or more of the following actions:
1. Endorse the Ventura County Neighbors Support Coalition, which does not commit the city to any funding support; rather, it establishes the City’s recognition and appreciation of VCCF’s efforts and its partners in advancing this important work; and/or
2. Direct the City Manager to enter into an Agreement with VCCF to provide funding in the amount of $50,000 to support both the Food Share and Saticoy Food Hub requests, with VCCF matching the City’s contribution to fully fund both requests; and/or
3. Direct the City Manager to provide community support funding in the amount of $28,000 to Food Share; and/or
4. Direct the City Manager to provide community support funding in the amount of $35,000 to Saticoy Food Hub.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Memorandum from VCCF on Funding Opportunities
REFERENCE MATERIALS – AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT CITY HALL Ventura County Neighbors Support Coalition & Community Support Funding September 24, 2025
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1. Neighbors Support Fund Webpage: vccf.org/neighbors-support-fund