The Foodbank Story
Pasadena resident, Tony Collier, founded Los Angeles Regional Foodbank in 1973 at the Grandview Foundation.
Collier, a cook with a charitable organization, received more food donations from local businesses than he anticipated and shared them with other organizations feeding the hungry. Four members of the community impressed with Collier's work formed a voluntary Board of Directors to create the Foodbank.
From its beginning in a two-car garage, the Foodbank moved into a converted 2,600 square foot dry cleaning facility on Fair Oaks Avenue in Pasadena. In 1983, it moved to a 10,000 square foot warehouse in El Monte.
To reflect its service to all areas of Los Angeles County, the organization changed its name to Los Angeles Regional Foodbank in 1986. In 1989, Los Angeles Regional Foodbank moved to its present location: a 96,000 square foot facility specifically designed as a food bank.
The Foodbank Today
The year 2010 marks the Foodbank's 37th year of service to the residents of Los Angeles County. Over the years, the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank has grown in size, service and scope. Today the Foodbank provides food for nearly 900 member agency sites including abused and abandoned children homes, battered women shelters, senior centers, local food pantries, soup kitchens, AIDS hospices and more. In 2009, our volunteers, financial supporters, product donors and agency network made it possible for us to distribute 54 million pounds of food for the hungry in Los Angeles county.
From Warehouse to Table
Food is donated to Los Angeles Regional Foodbank from local and national food manufacturers, wholesalers, supermarkets, restaurant suppliers, packers, processors and brokers. Once a shipment of food is received at our warehouse, it is sorted, inspected, and if necessary, repacked for distribution to participating charities in Los Angeles County.
We sort, inspect, repackage and distribute thousands of pounds of food each day with the help of dedicated volunteers. Last year, nearly 20,000 volunteers contributed over 120,000 hours of service.
Charities order and pick up the products they need from the Foodbank on a weekly basis. They then serve the food to needy families, children and individuals free of charge. Through these charities, close to 1 million people receive healthy meals each year.
Foodbank Milestones
| 1973 |
Tony Collier, a cook at the Grandview Foundation in Pasadena, begins collecting and distributing food. Collier receives more food donations from local businesses than anticipated and he shares the food with other organizations helping the hungry. Collier begins the first search for a larger facility by moving the small operation into a two-car garage. |
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| 1977 |
A group of local residents, impressed by Collier’s work, forms the first Board of Directors and incorporates the Foodbank as a separate nonprofit corporation, named Community Food Resources, Inc. The operation moves into a 2,600 sq. ft.facility in Pasadena. |
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| 1983 |
Doris Bloch heads the Foodbank after its move to a 10,000 sq. ft. warehouse in El Monte. The Foodbank, distributing 3 million pounds of food annually begins to rapidly expand food collection efforts and program development. The Brown Bag Program and Emergency Food Assistance Program are launched and the Foodbank affiliates with America’s Second Harvest. |
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| 1989 |
The newly named Los Angeles Regional Foodbank launches a capital campaign to build a 55,000 sq.ft. distribution center at 1734 E. 41st Street in Los Angeles. The Foodbank distributes 18 million pounds and significantly expands local food solicitation efforts. |
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| 1994 |
The Foodbank responds to the second major disaster in three years, the Northridge earthquake, by keeping food flowing to charities serving people in need. Total food distribution increases to 22 million pounds. |
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| 2000 |
The Foodbank launches its second Capital Campaign to pay for the purchase and retrofit of two adjacent buildings at 1701 & 1727 E. 41st Place. The new buildings add 41,000 sq.ft. and allow for the Food Rescue Program to move on-site. Total Food Distribution increases to 32 million pounds as Michael Flood becomes the new Foodbank Chief Executive. |
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| 2005 |
The Foodbank launches several new programs including the Kids Café PowerPack and Summer Meal Program, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, the Agency Delivery Program, and the Rapid Food Distribution Program which significantly increases the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables distributed. In addition, the Foodbank continues to publish hunger reports to educate the public on the extent of local hunger. |
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| 2006 |
Volunteer support reaches more than 9,000 volunteers donating their time during the year. The BackPack Program is launched to provide hungry school-age kids with a backpack full of food for the weekend. Individual, corporate and foundation support grows, and the Tony Collier Legacy Society is established to provide planned giving options to Foodbank donors.
CanstructionLA - The inaugural Los Angeles Canstruction event was hosted by Westfield Fashion Square. www.canstructionla.com |
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| 2007 |
The Foodbank sees more than 13,000 people volunteer their time to help fight hunger.
Partners Preventing Hunger provide funding for one million meals. |
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| 2008 |
Foodbank commemorated its 35th year of service to those in need in Los Angeles County.
Foodbank launches countywide food drive for the holiday season. |
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