CA Gives Jewish Family Service Funding For Food Pantry Building

SHERMAN OAKS, CA — Jewish Family Service L.A. announced Tuesday the state of California gave it a $5.7 million grant to purchase the Van Nuys building that contains its food pantry program. The money will also fund improvements for the building, located at 16439 Vanowen St.

The building operates as a five-day-per-week food pantry distribution center and offers counseling and case management offices, drop-in space for partner organizations and warehouse space.

"For more than 40 years, the JFS SOVA Community Food & Resource Program has been a lifeline for those facing hunger in Los Angeles," Jewish Family Service L.A. President and CEO Eli Veitzer said. "Jewish Family Service L.A. is deeply grateful for Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian's and state Senator Bob Hertzberg's leadership, which will allow us to transform a rental property into a permanent home with expanded service capacity. This remarkable investment by the State of California will benefit individuals and families throughout the San Fernando Valley for generations to come."

Adrian Nazarian, D-Van Nuys, called JFS SOVA "a lifeline" for his district, as well as the entire San Fernando Valley.

"This $5.7 million investment is critical to allowing JFS SOVA to continue providing life-saving groceries and support to the ever-growing number of individuals and families struggling to meet their most basic needs," Nazarian said.

Senate Majority Leader Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, said the purchase of the building will allow JFS "to continue its vital service in our community for generations to come."

City News Service contributed to this report.