[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 177 (Thursday, October 26, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1019]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING MANNY FLORES AS 2023 VALLEY LUCHADOR FOR HISPANIC HERITAGE 
                                 MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TONY CARDENAS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 26, 2023

  Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Manny Flores as a 
Valley Luchador.
  Manny Flores is the Executive Director for North Valley Caring 
Services.
  Throughout the last decade, he has played a key role at North Valley 
Caring Services.
  Manny was impacted by the criminal justice system where he found a 
new path and began his commitment to help others find theirs.
  Through his hard work and dedication to his community and his faith 
in God, he transformed a small non-profit organization into a 
powerhouse that helps many Valley families.
  Their programs include a food pantry, hot meals for families living 
in motels, a Safe Parking program for the unhoused, and homeless 
outreach.
  During the pandemic, demand for NVCS services exploded as more people 
found themselves housing insecure, food insecure, and job insecure. 
Manny led the NVCS team as they rose to meet the challenge, expanding 
services like their food bank to help 4,000 families, ten times the 
number of families they fed pre-pandemic. He and his team worked 
tirelessly to ensure that families in need got the food and essential 
goods they needed during the public health emergency.
  They organized drive-thru food banks at their headquarters at the 
North Hills United Methodist Church, and lines would wrap around 
Sepulveda Boulevard and Nordhoff Street.
  They even took the drive-thru food bank to other locations such as 
Sun Valley and Van Nuys.
  They mastered the logistical skill of organizing drive-thru food 
pantries with volunteer power.
  Manny, the NVCS team, and the volunteers under his leadership have 
changed countless lives in our community.
  Manny is a shining example of a Luchador who helped his community in 
the most difficult circumstances.
  Unfortunately, he lost his son Joseph Flores this year. Joseph was 
one of Manny's most dedicated volunteers.
  Even with this loss, Manny honors his son every day by supporting the 
families in his community that need support.
  I thank Manny for his countless years of public service. It is my 
honor to recognize him as a distinguished community leader and luchador 
during Hispanic Heritage Month.

                          ____________________