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Friday, Mar 29, 2024

Children’s Hunger Fund Doubling Size With Move

In commemoration of its 20th anniversary, Children’s Hunger Fund is packing up and moving to more spacious quarters. With revenues of $46.7 million for 2009 and $66.6 million for 2010, the Pacoima nonprofit organization is steadily growing. Volunteers say the expansion to a 75,000-square-foot facility in Sylmar — expected to be completed by January— is long overdue. CHF aims to meet the needs of impoverished children across the country and around the world through programs such as emergency feeding campaigns, home delivery of food and medical clinics. Since its inception in 1991, the nonprofit organization has distributed more than $927 million in food and other resources to more than 10 million children. With donations increasing despite the lagging economy, CHF has been stymied by its cramped quarters. By nearly doubling its warehouse space, it is now in a position to do much more for the needy, expand its international programs and grow its base of voluteers, officials say. “By increasing the capacity to receive, we will in turn increase our capacity to distribute and grow our operation,” said Fred Martin, director of communications and marketing. Six miles from its current facility, the new Global Distribution Center will accommodate an influx of donations, as well as larger donations, from companies such as Dole Food Company Inc., Trader Joe’s and Nestlé, USA. CHF is currently leasing the new space at 13931 Balboa Blvd., but it plans to purchase the building in the next 18 months. It recently launched a fundraising campaign to cover the $8.5 million price tag on the new property and other new programs. Despite the glut of available commercial property on the market, finding the right space was not easy, said Dave Phillips, president of CHF. “A majority of the warehouses on the market were older buildings with low ceilings that were not retrofitted for earthquakes,” Phillips said. With more than 50 percent more square footage than the current warehouse and a ceiling height of 28 feet, the new facility allows the organization to stack more product and take larger donations, he said. It will also improve the efficiency of operations and allow for more international distribution. Henry Morita, director of logistics for Nestlé, said the company is helping CHF expand its global reach. “We are putting them in contact with our partners and talking to our folks in international facilities,” Morita said, noting Nestle contributes $150,000 a year in product and cash. Through current programs like the Mercy Networks, CHF is able to reach communities across the globe through indirect relationships with other organizations. The limited space at the Pacoima facility has kept the organization from being able to expand the program, Martin said. But with more room to operate, CHF now will be able to say ‘yes’ to new opportunities, he said. The new space should also help the organization expand its regional operations, including the volunteer program, which takes place in the warehouse. Some 10,000 people volunteer their time at CHF every year, assisting in sorting and packing supplies to be distributed. With the increase in space, Martin said CHF will be able to double the number of volunteers it can accommodate. One of CHF’s regular volunteers is Jennifer Dufour, 38. The Burbank mother of three has donated food to CHF for the past 10 years. Her experience as a volunteer has given her a new respect for the organization and its cause. “Once you learn first-hand about CHF and work with the team, you want to support it,” she said. Dufour said she is drawn to the organization’s efficient program and its commitment to giving 99 percent of total revenue to serving needy children. “Nobody is getting rich off of this operation,” Dufour said. “They really have a heart for serving.”

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