Emergency Food Bank
2013 Emergency Food Bank lead sponsors
MEND’s Emergency Food Bank is unique in that it is the largest in Los Angeles providing direct distribution to clients in need, and one of the largest in the state of California. Volunteer Food Rescue Program Drivers collect food from numerous supermarkets, churches, schools, businesses and other organizations in the area. Much of the food is distributed to more than 60 smaller pantries and charities in the area that also care for low-income people, about 30 every week. The Emergency Food Bank distributes more than a quarter of a million pounds of food a month both onsite and through its community outreach , helping to feed well over 21,000 people every month, as well.
Emergency food boxes provide a generous, nutritionally balanced three-day supply of emergency food, designed to help the families make ends meet, but not to create a dependency on MEND. They are distributed three mornings each week and every Saturday morning at the MEND Center, as well as four times a month from satellite operations. In addition, hot meals are served four times a week. Each applicant for the service is personally interviewed to assess needs, verify information and evaluate any special dietary requirements.
MEND’s Foodbank and Kitchen regularly receive “A” ratings from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health for adherence to food handling standards.
Holistic Approach
We consider nutrition and health one of our primary missions at the MEND Foodbank. We collaborate with our Medical Clinic providing specially tailored food boxes for our Diabetic Nutrition Program. We also offer cooking classes, demonstrations and creative healthy recipes for all of our clients. In partnership with our Education and Training Center, we’ve created a ‘Seed to Supper’ Program in which neighborhood kids get to learn about creating their own vegetable gardens and how to prepare the fresh food they’ve grown. Approaching the alleviation of hunger from all angles, MEND informs clients about applying for CalFresh/Food Stamps onsite at the MEND Center, offers hot meals from our kitchen for clients, volunteers and job-trainees, and also offers assorted supplemental food items in our “store.”
Pathways to Self-reliance
The Emergency Food Bank also participates in MEND’s Job Skills Training Program through its Food Service and Warehouse Training Programs. Volunteer participants in these programs learn entry-level skills appropriate for jobs in the food service industry, shipping, receiving, and customer service.
Powered By Volunteers
More than 1500 volunteers from all walks of life come together to give their time to MEND’s Emergency Foodbank annually. It takes a village, and if you’d like to help feed those in need, volunteers are always needed to sort food, pack food boxes, solicit donations, prepare meals in the MEND Kitchen, drive trucks to pick up donated food, and serve in other ways that help alleviate hunger in the Northeast San Fernando Valley.
Food Bank Partners
The Food Bank is grateful for the assistance of its lead partners Albertsons, the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank, Heart of Compassion, the Valley Food Bank, and SOVA, as well as for that of the following organizations:
Alemany High School Heschel Day School Saint Euphrasia
Blue Shield Highland Hall Waldorf School Saint Genevieve
Boy Scouts of America Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission Saint Mel’s Adult Club
Boys Scouts Western L.A. Huntsman Advance San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission
Campbell Hall Kaiser Permanente SER Volunteer
Chaminade High School Lakeview Charter School Smile TV
Champions for Change Lifeline SOVA
Childrens Hunger Fund Los Angeles Church of Christ STEP Program
Christian Assy. Of Eagle Rock Los Angeles Family Housing Temple Ahavat Shalom
Chrysalis Millennium House 3M
Community Distribution Center National Association of Letter Carriers Tierra Del Sol
Costco Pacoima New Horizons Trader Joe’s Markets
CSUN Notre Dame High School U.S. Post Office
CSUN Unified We Serve Our Lady Of Lourdes Union Rescue Mission
Daily News Our Lady Of Peace Universal Studios Hollywood
Disney Community Panorama Baptist Valley Interfaith Council Food Pantry Coalition
Do Good Bus Phoenix House Valley Rescue Mission
DOOR Network Pierce Farm Center Van Nuys High School
El Projecto Del Barrio Pizza Cookery Victory Outreach
Food Forward Pizza Hut Von’s Markets
Gain Program Ralph’s Markets West Coast
Girls Scouts of Greater Los Angeles Rancho San Antonio West Coast Rehab
Hamer Toyota RSUI YWAM (Youth With a Mission)
