Child Hunger Problem in Valley

By Pam Vetter

The USDA reports that 12.6 million households had difficulty providing enough food for themselves during 2005. Hunger remains a huge problem everywhere.

Fourteen years ago, Dave Phillips recognized a need in the San Fernando Valley to help children who were born into poverty and at risk of being hungry. Phillips stepped up to the plate and started to fill that need by creating Children's Hunger Fund.

Fred Martin, Communications Director for Children's Hunger Fund, said there are many hungry children right here in the Valley.

"We serve 30,000 people every week from Bakersfield to Ensenada, Mexico. But, the bulk stays right here in Pacoima, San Fernando, Granada Hills, Canoga Park and across the Valley, because there are children who are hungry," Martin explained. "A family comes to the end of a paycheck and they have a choice to buy food or pay the rent. There are plenty of kids who are taken care of during the school year through breakfast and lunch programs, but we are a year round organization that is here to help families."

"Children's Hunger Fund works with churches to create Food Paks. Families who participate buy the items from a list and pack them into a box. We inspect each box because we want the families to get God's best. We also receive large amounts of bulk items which includes everything from pasta to soups. For example, there's a brand new company, Koda's, who donated many boxes of frozen Pita Pizzas. They decided they would give to charity right off the top," Martin said with a smile. "All of our companies are so wonderful with their donations."

In fact, Forbes has rated Children's Hunger Fund 100 percent in all three rating categories because more than 99 percent of revenues go to programs serving children in need. Children's Hunger Fund is the only U.S. charity to attain this level of recognition.

"Wednesdays and Saturdays, we welcome volunteers from 9 am to noon to help. We always need more volunteers," Martin said. "On Saturday, Dec. 2, we will hold our Holiday Toy Wrapping Day from 9 am to 1 pm. Last year, we had 1,400 volunteers and this year we expect over 2,000. It's a big day for us. We have the wrapping paper pre-cut so it will speed up the process. Every toy will be hand-wrapped and there are 100,000 toys waiting for a child in need."

Children's Hunger Fund has expanded as well. While the Pacoima location in the Valley is the main headquarters, there is also a new outpost in Chicago.

"In Chicago, there is nothing else like this. So, it's been really big. We also have Mercy Networks in Peru, Guatemala, and Uganda. For Chicago, Peru and Guatemala, the Food Paks are important. While the bulk food is sent to Uganda," Martin said.

Locally, each church that participates in the Food Pak Campaign is so important to Children's Hunger Fund.

"We work with churches such as Shepherd of the Hills in Porter Ranch. We're grateful for each and every box. In the last four months, we processed over 18,000 Food Paks for families in need," Martin said. "People want an opportunity to help. When children help children, it's amazing. Children sometimes relate better to the situation than adults because we come with baggage. For kids, they're honest and they cut through to the importance of the issue: Another child is hungry, let's help. This is truly a grassroots effort and every adult and child participating is important. Boxes are hand-delivered to homes in need. This is about building relationships with people and lending a helping hand."

"As for volunteers, we need their hands and we need their smiles," Martin said.

The Children's Hunger Fund is a non-profit organization.

For more information on volunteering link to www.ChildrensHungerFund.org or call (818) 899-5122 ext. 222 or e-mail volunteer@childrenshungerfund.org.

For information on The Perfect Gift catalogue to donate Food Paks or related items link to http://childrenshungerfund.org/catalog.html.

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