HOW THE FOOD PANTRY, LAX GOT STARTED

In 1986 a small group of women, concerned about the growing number of people on the streets begging for food, decided to distribute free sandwiches in front of Westchester supermarkets. Churches in the area were also receiving many requests for food from homeless people.

The Westchester Clergy Association, realizing the need for a concerted effort to help, secured support of money and volunteers from the various churches in the area - and thus was born The Food Pantry, LAX! This tax-exempt corporation first operated out of the Christian Church, later moving to their present location in Inglewood. It should be noted that two of our own former ministers, Dick George and Fred Cook, were very instrumental in promoting the work of The Food Pantry, LAX in it's early days.

The Food Pantry, LAX provides emergency, short-term assistance to families and individuals in need of food. Volunteers regularly collect food donations from businesses, schools and churches. Donations of money enable The Pantry to buy in large quantities such foods as rice, beans and powdered milk. Besides the homeless many of the clients are low-income families and seniors, who have to choose between paying for their housing or their food.

In addition to food, the homeless are given bags containing such items as soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shampoo, etc. as they are available. A box marked for The Food Pantry is located in the back of the church sanctuary narthex to receive your contributions.