AAGLA Reaches Out to Community Partners with Hope-Net
AGLA recently began a partnership with a local 501 (c) 3 charitable organization, Hope-Net, to show its commitment to making a difference in our local community. AAGLA Board of Directors member Carlos Makara spearheaded the effort. He said "We live and have our apartments in L.A. and need to make a visible contribution to it, especially in these hard economic times. People need to see that we care about our renters and others in the community. I see no better way than to partner with Hope-Net and help them serve the many in our area who go hungry or are food insecure."
Hope-Net has been providing food and giving hope to tens of thousands of our local neighbors since 1988. Founded through a consortium of area congregations who see the value of working together to help eliminate poverty and hunger locally.
Hope-Net has wide community support from business leaders, local schools and the community-at-large because of its cost-effective and service oriented approach to feeding so many. Its motto: "That none of our neighbors should go hungry."
The agency works to eliminate hunger through 12 area food pantries, located in Wilshire Center, Koreatown, Rampart, Hollywood and Los Feliz. It is expanding.
In 2006, Hope-Net served 110,000. In 2008, projections exceeded 160,000 persons as Hope-Net food pantries served over one-million pounds of food, which will increase significantly in 2009.
Food bags contain staples and fresh fruits and vegetables in the attempt to provide nutritious, healthy food, something the poor often lack. A typical Hope‑Net grocery bag provides approximately eight meals at a cost of about 65 cents per grocery bag. This supplemental food is offered each day of the week at no cost. When available, Hope-Net also supplies other critical needs.
They include clothing, toiletries, assistance with food stamp applications, social service referrals and basic medical screenings.
Most Hope‑Net clients are not homeless and are able to prepare meals. They represent every race and nationality, seniors, veterans, single women, families, and children. Though some have disabilities, the common thread among them is simply that they are poor and have difficulty paying rent, utilities and other basic needs. There's just not enough money left available to buy food.
Because of the harsh economy, many recipients say they consider themselves "middle class" but have been forced to seek temporary assistance.
We estimate that at least 10% of our pantry recipients are seeking assistance for the first time. Of an overall labor force of nearly five million in L.A. County, 534,400 people were unemployed in April 2009, compared to 282,000 people one year ago.
At a recent AAGLA meeting, I said, "We are a small, efficient non-profit with only one full-time employee. Our pantries are staffed by countless, dedicated volunteers. We raise money to feed our neighbors in need with very little overhead."
"Hope-Net has a strong volunteer board whose membership includes Councilmember Tom LaBonge, Jane Gilman from the Larchmont Chronicle, actress Patricia Heaton, and other socially conscious leaders."
Since 1996, Hope-Net has also owned and operated the Hope West Apartments on West Boulevard, which provides low‑income housing to 17 families.
At a recent AAGLA-Hope-Net meeting, Makara concluded, "There's so much that needs to be done, and AAGLA doesn't need to reinvent the wheel. By partnering with Hope-Net to contribute food, money, volunteers or sponsorships, AAGLA can show itself to be a caring member of our community."
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About Hope-Net
Hope-Net is an interfaith and community effort that provides food, shelter and self-help assistance to families and individuals in the Metro Los Angeles area (Wilshire Center, Rampart, Hollywood and Koreatown).
Their Services:
Hope-Net provides:
• Free Groceries
• Hot meals
• Holiday foods
• Necessary basic items
• Necessary personal and household items
• Anti-hunger advocacy
• Community Education
• Referral Service
Clothing
Hope-Net provides free clothing to people in need.
Housing
Hope-Net operates a 17-unit apartment building in Metro Los Angeles, Hope West Apartments, providing permanent housing for low-income families
Did You Know?
• Nearly 30% of the population in Metro Los Angeles is food insecure or hungry
• Over 125,000 persons are in danger of going without adequate food
• Over 90% of food assistance recipients are U.S. Citizens
Hope-Net clients include:
• Frail elderly
• Chronically ill
• Unemployed and/or underemployed
• Working families
• Children under 18 years of age
• Homeless
• Veterans
Become a Friend
Make a tax-deductible contribution to assist us in providing food and other services to the community.
Volunteer your services at one of our food pantries, in the office or by picking up and delivering food and other items.
Food Link Partner — Organize your school, business, church or community organization to collect food for the Hope‑Net pantry.
Introduce Hope-Net to your friends.
Contact Us
Hope-Net
760 South Westmoreland Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90005
(213) 389-9949 –Telephone
(213) 389-0098 – Fax
hopenet@sbcglobal.net – Email
www.hope-net.info
Food Pantries and Groceries
Hope-Net food pantries distribute food seven days a week at various locations throughout Metro Los Angeles. They serve over 140,000 persons and provide over 500,000 meals annually to families and individuals in need.
Meals
Free meals are served to anyone in need at Blessed Sacrament, First Church of the Nazarene and St. James Episcopal Church.
Hope-Net Food Pantries and Meal Programs
Blessed Sacrament Church (323) 462–6311
6657 Sunset Blvd.
Food Bags – Tuesday & Thursday, 4-6:00 p.m., Saturday, 9–11:00 a.m.
First Baptist Church (213) 384-2151
760 S. Westmoreland Ave.
Food Bags – Friday, 8:00 a.m.
First Church of the Nazarene (213) 384–2151
3401 W. Third St.
Hot Meal – Tuesday & Thursday, 11:00 a.m. – Noon
Food Bags – Friday, 5:30 p.m., 2nd & 4th Sunday, 5:00 p.m.
Coffee/Donuts – Monday & Wednesday 9–l0:OOa.m.
First Unitarian Church (213) 389–1356
2936 W. 8th St.
Food Bags ‑ Saturday, 8-10:00 a.m.
Immaculate Heart of Mary (323) 660–0034
4945 Santa Monica Blvd.
Food Bags – Monday, 10–11:00 a.m.
Immanuel Presbyterian Church (213) 389–3191
3300 Wilshire Blvd.
Food Bags – Tues. & Wed., 11 :00 a.m. –1 :30 p.m. Saturday, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Islamic Center of So. Calif. (213) 382–9200
434 S. Vermont Ave.
Food Bags – Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – Noon
St. James Episcopal Church. (213) 388–3417
3903 Wilshire Blvd.
Food Bags – Tuesday & Thursday, 8–9:00 a.m.
Hot Meal – Friday, 5–6:00 p.m.
St. Thomas the Apostle Church (323) 737–3325
1327 S. Mariposa Ave.
Food Bags – 1st, 2nd & 3rd Saturday, 6–9:00 a.m.
Wilshire Blvd. Temple (213) 388–2401
3663 Wilshire Blvd.
Food Bags – Sunday, 9:00–10:00 a.m.
Wilshire Christian Church (213) 382–6337
634 S. Normandie Ave.
Food Bags – Wednesday, 8:00 am.
Wilshire Presbyterian Church (213) 462–6311
Community Center
309 S. Oxford Ave. (Oxford & Third)
Food Bags – Monday, 10:00 a.m.–Noon
