Fueled By Food.

Fed By Compassion.

NEWSLETTER

MARCH 2025

Moving Forward With Vision And Purpose

After overcoming setbacks from recent fires, the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry Executive Board successfully convened for an in-person meeting, where we welcomed new board members and set our vision, goals, and agenda for the year ahead. One of the greatest challenges we face is the growing number of people in need. With rising grocery prices, a difficult economy, and an increasingly uncertain political climate, we are seeing that food insecurity extends beyond those traditionally affected. Many of our clients are not just experiencing chronic food insecurity—they are hardworking individuals and families struggling to make ends meet. In response, we are actively engaging with government officials and collaborating with partner organizations to address this growing demand. These partnerships are critical to our mission, and we recognize that we cannot do this work alone. Our partnerships are important to our success. We could not face these challenges alone. And we are grateful for your support and gifts. Let's keep it going.

WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS

In 2020, the NHIFP became a fully established 501(c)3 non-profit community that strives to meet the needs of those living with food insecurity. We are volunteer based, including everyone who serves on our Board. This year we voted to expand our board. We are grateful to those who have been serving and to those who have just begun (in red) their two year commitment.

• Rev. Louise Gobin
• Barbara Javitz
• Jane Poole
• Rev. Ian Macdonald
• Rabbi Sarah Hronsky
• Marty Lasker
• Kevin Crowell
• Andrew Kuo
• Sandra McCurdy
• Drew Powell
• Jefferson Beeker

• Uri Niv
• Babette Wilk
• Caryn Panec
• Ryan Ahari
• Lauren Arenson
• Lesley Cerwin
• Shelly Deutsch
• David Kaufman
• Justin Morales
• Murray Pollard

THANK YOU FOR SHOWING UP AND HELPING OUT

Thank you to Sean Macdonald and members of ASB at Notre Dame High School for their amazing food drive. These students collected over a ton of food, diapers, pet food, and hygiene kits.

 A very special thanks to Campo de Cahuenga Scout Units, Troops 189,104,139,415, 18 and Packs 311, 94 all who collected, sorted and shelved over 3700 lbs of food in their annual scouting for food drive and earned over 500 service hours. It was a great day, and a great honor to watch them serve the community.

It takes a whole group of volunteers to help us sort and prepare the bags needed for our weekly distribution. As our numbers continue to go up (now around 500 bags a week), we need all the help we can get. We welcome everyone who wants to help us. And we invite you, your friends, or sports teams, business groups, service club and anyone looking to make a difference to sign up here to volunteer.

Thank you to Anthony Baharian and Jamison Kropilak and the real estate team at the Baharian Group who came through with a large donation of water, toiletries and food when we needed it the most.

What Gift Are You Able To Give?

We are a 501(c)3 non-profit that relies on your financial gifts to operate at the volume we do. Every gift, big or small, goes a long way to reducing growing food insecurity in our city. Please consider a monthly recurring donation today to help us meet our monthly goals. Other ways you can support our mission is with giving of your time and talents. There are many ways you can help. Click here to find out more.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Wesley School and Providence High School, especially to their incredible ambassadors Ralston and Keira, who uphold a cherished tradition of spreading warmth and joy through their delightful homemade treats and beautifully crafted cards. These acts of kindness not only satisfy hunger but also uplift spirits, reminding us all of the power of community connection.

A PROUD NEW PARTNERSHIP

We are truly grateful to the Studio City Farmers' Market community for their incredible generosity, exemplified by the recent surprise $5,000 grant we received. This generous contribution is just one of many gifts that have made a significant impact on our efforts to combat food insecurity. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Esther Walker, whose tireless dedication in coordinating with local farmers has allowed us to secure fresh, locally grown produce at discounted prices. 

A Message From Our Board Chair

This week I had the opportunity to attend a meeting of the partner agencies assisted by the Los Angles Regional Food Bank. There is a large network of agencies on the ground floor helping our neighbors facing food insecurity. They include soup kitchens, emergency food sources (this important work was evident following the fires that destroyed large swaths of urban housing last January) and local food pantries like the NHIFP. It is helpful for us to know who else is doing the same work that we are doing, and in what neighborhoods. And we also need to support one another as there is some concern about what the future holds given the many changes occurring in Washington DC.

You are already aware that food prices are high, and they continue to rise. There is no optimism about the status of Bird Flu and its impact on the cost of eggs, or of the possible migration of the flu to other animals, including cattle herds. If this occurs it will also impact the cost of milk, cheese, and meat. I am not trying to be alarmist here, but to help you understand that there are people who seek to strategize possible ways to work together in community.

The majority of people served by the NHIFP are housed. We do serve some who are homeless, and this population is by far the minority of those who come to the Pantry. Most of our neighbors are families. Many of them have more than two generations living in a single household. Some of them are still finding entertainment industry related employment difficult. We also assist many seniors – people whose social security payments do not go as far as they used to.

You will see in our newsletter this month that we continue to cast a wider net in terms of where we source our food. The Studio City Farmer’s Market has given us a grant that enables us to purchase fresh produce at reduced rates from some of the local growers with tables there. We receive donations of food and other necessities from local businesses. We are inviting other faith groups to support the Pantry.  And a team of folks from the Board meet with elected officials and Neighborhood Councils to inform them of the work we are doing. This has resulted in some increase in funding.

We have all been affected by the rising cost of food, gas, and other items. And we want you to know that we are creative in our efforts to continue the work we have been doing for 43 years. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Louise Sloan Goben

Chair, Board of Directors

FOOD ASKS OF THE MONTH

We are always in need for cat food (wet or dry).

We are in dire need of small jars of peanut butter.

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

Community Contribution Program

Use Code: HD720

Thanks to the support of the Kroger Family of Companies, you can make a positive impact every time you buy groceries through their Community Contribution Program. The more you buy the more we receive.

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