The North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry (NHIFP) celebrated its 40th anniversary with a gala on June 4 at First Christian Church in Studio City. The nonprofit, composed of a coalition of more than 14 local religious congregations along with individual volunteers, schools and community groups, is dedicated to reducing hunger in the East Valley area by supplying food and other necessities to those experiencing food insecurity. The event was both a salute to the NHIFP’s years of success and a fundraiser to support its vital work into the future.
More than 125 attendees showed up to tour the NHIFP’s new distribution facility, connect with each other over delicious hors d’oeuvres and bid on silent auction items including donated art and services from local businesses, which raised $5,000 to help offset rising food costs and the expenses associated with the new facility. Hosted by actor Drew Powell, the event honored some of NHIFP’s major donors from the past year, including Terry Walker, who left the pantry over $450,000 and to whom the new distribution site is dedicated with a plaque. Also honored were Deborah Edith Rothschild, who left the pantry $95,000 in her trust, and Clint Eastwood, who donated $100,000 through the Eastwood Charitable Fund. Both benefactors also have rooms dedicated to them in the new facility, with plaques indicating their support.
In a speech, City Council President Paul Krekorian highlighted the many accomplishments of the NHIFP and the need for ongoing community involvement. He also presented NHIFP with a certificate of recognition from the City of Los Angeles in honor of its decades of service to the community.
“I was delighted at the turnout and support of all of our benefactors at our 40th anniversary gala celebration,” NHIFP Director Philip Lester says. “It was gratifying to be able to show off all the work we have done to our new space and hear the responses from those who were seeing it for the first time. We hope people will continue to keep NHIFP in mind when they wish to help their fellow citizens, so that we may continue to feed those struggling for the next 40 years!”
If you missed the gala but still want to help the NHIFP celebrate, it’s not too late to lend your support. Visit nhifp.org to find out how you can donate or get involved.