North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry Needs Your Help

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA — The North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry was here long before the pandemic. For 37 years, the volunteer-based service organization has made it their mission to directly address food insecurity in the community. So when workplaces shuttered and unemployment claims skyrocketed, the pantry was perfectly positioned to help.

The pantry had fed 21,000 people by the end of July 2020, and saw a 43% increase since the start of the pandemic. Born during a recession and having endured several more, the pantry has more than proved its resiliency in the face of turmoil. Still, like people throughout Los Angeles, leaders quickly discovered the coronavirus posed a new kind of challenge.

"When the pandemic hit, we had to recruit 100% new volunteer base," said Barbara Javitz, who runs the pantry. "All of our volunteers had been with us for a long time, and they're in the older population. So they all quit."

The decision was understandable, but it left one of North Hollywood's most necessary organizations in a vulnerable position. Javitz values a long-term commitment when searching for volunteers, and the sudden loss of so many valuable workers made the finding, packaging and moving boxes of food all the more difficult.

After using every avenue she could find, people started to come forward. One such volunteer, Antony Bland, said he needed something meaningful to provide structure as he watched the world around him fall into disarray.

"We get a really good sense of purpose," he said. "Especially when it was really crazy for the first couple of weeks, it was nice to have a bit of a routine, and to feel like we’re doing something good.”

Onsite at First Christian Church, Bland is the welcoming force to brighten the day of people in need of food. He'll offer a quick-witted joke to turn an apprehensive face into one that feels comforted and safe.

"It’s always tough for someone coming through for the first time," Bland added. "If they’ve never gotten a food donation, they might think it’s something to be embarrassed about.”

It's a common misconception that only a certain portion of the population falls victim to food insecurity. Especially during the pandemic, many who recently lost employment began to depend on the food pantry to provide for the family when income was lower than ever.

"At the beginning of the pandemic, the cars started to get nicer," said Bland. "You see a Lexus, a Mercedes, a brand-new BMW. It’s people who just lost their jobs, it’s not like that guy is any worse off then the guy driving the old Toyota.”

One commonality shared by many clients was the craving for human interaction in a time of isolation. The air at the drop-off location is light-hearted and warm, and several staffers know the clients on a first-name basis. While some decide to pick up the food and go, quite a few stay for quick conversation, asking about food or other topics that happen to be on the mind.

"There are some people that absolutely want to share their stories," said Louise Sloan-Goben, associate minister at First Christian Church. "They might say, 'I’m a truck driver and I used to have a route to Texas but it was cut back to Arizona, so I make half as much,' or maybe it's something else. Especially for the men, it can be very sensitive not being able to provide for the family. It brings you to tears."

Stories like these are why the pantry has become so integral to the community. For Javitz, ensuring her neighbors never go hungry gives her a personal sense of fulfillment.

"My proudest accomplishment is that we have never failed to distribute food on any of our designated days during the pandemic," said Barbara Javitz, CEO of the pantry. "A lot of other food pantries have had to close, sadly."

Still, the pantry is not without its share of difficulties. Food donations are always appreciated, but more than anything, Javitz needs more volunteers to help the ship run smoothly.

Every Monday and Friday, volunteers take 160 bags from Temple Beth Hillel to the parking lot at First Christian Church in Studio City. The team moves about 1,500 bags a month, each with 10 items inside. Not to mention, the pantry recently bought about 7,000 lbs. of food that had to be manually sorted, packed and transported.

"I have really great people, but we always need more," Javitz said.

It can be a tiresome job when few hands are on deck, but each of the volunteers say the process has enriched their lives immensely. The pantry is a major part of Sloan-Goben's life, and she's ready to stick around for however long it takes.

It's going to be a while," Sloan-Goben said. "So we'll be here for a long time."

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.