Fueled By Food. Fed By Compassion.

Little Steps Can Cover A Lot of Ground

Since our humble beginnings over 40 years ago, we have operated most of our efforts with a small but mighty volunteer base. What we've discovered is that it's often the small, consistent efforts that yield some pretty big results. From collecting food to stocking shelves to handing out bags with a smile, every action matters. Even following and sharing our mission on social media can make a big difference, and inspire others to join our cause. This summer we will need more volunteers than ever. And that's where you come in. Every hour you give, each little gesture of kindness you offer, can make a monumental difference to ending the problem of food insecurity in our community.

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH

This is Harrison Gruber, a supporter of NHIFP and star student at Laurel Hall. Last month, Harrison organized a pet-food food drive at his school. He collected an amazing assortment of meals and treats for our four-legged friends.

"I decided to do this drive to help pets who were suffering. I wanted to do this to help them get a chance to survive and thrive. And doing this made me feel really good." As Harrison reminds us all, one of the greatest benefits of helping others is that it helps you as well.

Can your school or workplace match Harrison's pet food drive? Give it a shot and we'll give you a shout out in our next newsletter.

Here Are Some Ways You Can Get Involved

• Hand out bags Monday and Friday
• Be a part of our Transportation Team
• Pack food bags
• Help make Sack Lunches
• Hold a Food Drive at your school or office
• Get Community Service Hours

LETTER CARRIER'S "STAMP OUT HUNGER" FOOD DRIVE IS COMING!

Each year, letter carriers across the country head out on their routes on the second Saturday in May to collect donations of non-perishable food items to benefit local food pantries. NHIFP has benefited greatly from this effort. Last year we picked up over a ton of food from them. Please give as you are able. For more information, click here.

Shout out to all the amazing students at Valley Christian. Thanks to their wonderful support and the generosity of the many school families who donated we are able to feed more people this month. If you would like to start a food drive in your social circle, we can help. Click here for to learn how one small gesture can make one huge difference in someone's life.

Message From The Executive Board

Last month, a group of our Board members received a tour of the new facility for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank (LARFB), an organization that is key to assisting us in providing food to our neighbors. We receive tons of food (literally “tons”) each month from this nonprofit organization at no cost to us. We pay to have the food delivered to us and this is a minimal expense. We complete our food sourcing by purchasing items from a wholesaler in the Los Angeles area and by receiving donations from food drives or collections from our partners.

In addition to the food, we participate in a program called Extra Helpings through LARFB. We have been matched to the Target store located on Laurel Canyon Blvd. in North Hollywood. Three times a week, John Cabrillos takes the Pantry van to Target and loads food and other items that have been removed from the stock at the store. Most of what we receive is food, including fresh fruits and vegetables, packaged salad kits, and even frozen proteins like chicken or ground beef. These items supplement the sacks of non-perishable items we have been distributing for decades. It also helps eliminate food waste.

Recently, in a conversation with a Pantry client, I was told that the thing they appreciated about the NHIFP is that she always knows what she will receive when she comes here. Many pantries distribute what they have received from various sources, and it will vary from day to day or week to week. We are consistent. Our returning neighbors know what is in each sack they pick up and this helps them to know how to supplement what they receive as they plan meals.

We value our relationship with the LARFB and are excited to participate with them in piloting a new data based program that will help us with client intake information to help us track our numbers. For the last 40 years, this has all been done by hand.

Partnerships are important as we seek to provide food and other items to our neighbor. The most important of all our partners is YOU! As you support our efforts knows that you are supporting thousands of people in our community. We are grateful.

Louise Sloan Goben

Chair, Board of Directors

We are always looking for service groups and companies who are willing to make tax-deductible financial contribution to help us meet the growing demands.

FOOD ASKS OF THE MONTH

We are constantly in need of small cans and large bags of cat food for our clients.

Bags of dry dog food or cans of wet food are always needed and always welcomed.

Other ways you can help us is by shopping from our Amazon Wish List

Drop off food donations at:

Our Distribution Site - Mondays and Fridays between 7:30AM-11:00

(11634 Moorpark St. -1/2 block east of Colfax)



Temple Beth Hillel (enter off Laurelgrove) Mondays-Fridays, 4:00-5:00PM

We are grateful to be a partner with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank