Vietnam veteran receives new support after homemade food pantry is cleaned out and parts taken

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - An honored Vietnam veteran who was responding to community food needs is not going to be set back by a recent theft.

A homemade wooden food pantry, built by a neighbor, was recently set up on Mason St. at Chapala St.

Ronnie Shahbazian coordinated the effort as a small offering to passersby and those who live around him that may be struggling during the coronavirus crisis.

He served in the U.S. Army in 1967 and 1968, with a tour of duty in Vietnam. Last year some overdue medals were presented to him in a local ceremony.

This generous effort to open a food pantry has had a disappointing hurdle when recently all of the items were taken, including crates. The pantry was left.

Some were found ditched in the bushes nearby.

Shahbazian also says supporters have come out to replenish his crates and keep the supply going.

He has fruits, canned goods, dry products, health items and a cooler with some fresh items including vegetables, other produce and cheese.

The "take some - leave some" policy is a general guideline but anyone with urgent needs can take what they need. "We are all in this together," said Shahbazian. "It's not just me. There's a great community of people doing this kind of stuff. I am just a small part of it."

He says, for the recently unemployed, who are still waiting for government assistance are hesitant to come to the pantry for now. "Some people are a little too proud, they don't want to admit they need something," said Shahbazian.

This effort is in line with Shahbazian's other gift to his community. He often makes sandwiches and walks around to give them to those in need. "We are all going to try and make it through and come out of it on the other end bigger and better and I think that is going to really happen," he said.

Shahbazian is often in military parades and takes part in patriotic events throughout the city where has lived since the early 1980's.

It doesn't surprise him that there was a strong effort for the pantry. Shahbazian says, "The whole community is doing it. We have a great community and I think this shows what we are all doing."