FIFTY YEARS OF COMPASSION IN ACTION – THE LEGACY YOU MAKE POSSIBLE

ONE COULD SIT FOR HOURS getting lost in the stories of Ed and Carolyn Rose and how MEND first came to be…stories filled with so many different people and places; of seeing a need and doing something about it.

As we celebrate MEND’s 50 years in this community, we reflect on how a young thirty-something couple and several generous families came to found such a consequential organization and movement in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles.

Carolyn Rose shares: “It was so many people [who started MEND] …. We all had a dream that we could do more. We never dreamed we would be where we are today.”

MEND was born out of the love and work of caring neighbors and friends, many of whom were members of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church and other Valley congregations. They all shared a common purpose – to lessen the suffering of poor and vulnerable families. They collected and stored the most needed items – food, clothing & furniture – in three family garages. And through a growing network of churches, schools, neighbors, and friends, they connected with families in need and quickly mobilized to get them what they needed.

“We did not start with the intention of creating a non-profit organization”, the Rose’s share. “We were all volunteers. We survived on whatever people donated.”

The remarkable group of friends and neighbors settled on a mission very early on – to meet each need with dignity – and this has driven the work that you have supported through the years.

Ed adds: “We meet people at such a difficult point in their lives and if we don’t have their dignity in mind, we’re not doing our job.”

He recalls the story of one family from the early years of MEND. “We were visiting because they had been adopted in MEND’s Christmas program,” he says. The family lived in a small, abandoned store. Ed was there to drop off food, clothing and toys for the holidays. “It was a really difficult living,” he recalls.

The family stayed on his mind throughout the holidays. After Christmas, Ed dropped by again.

He recollects: “The kids were so happy, they brought out their toys and clothes, and showed me what they got. Their mother kept bringing up a sweater she received – she called it a beautiful pink sweater…. Finally, I asked her if I could see it, since she was so happy with it. It is then that she shared that she had packed it and sent it to her mother. ‘My mother never had anything new in her life,’ she said.” Ed was quiet for a while.

The fledgling group’s mission attracted people from across the San Fernando Valley and beyond. This included two nuns, Sister Elizabeth Barber and Sister Sue Schneider, who helped “staff” the first MEND service center. In addition to distributing food, they led classes in art, gardening, tutoring for children and English classes for adults.

While MEND has evolved through the decades, what has never changed is the heart that so many kind and giving people like you have brought to intervene with care and compassion in the lives of hurting people. 2020 certainly confirmed to MEND and our community that it is blessed with incredibly generous people, willing to give of themselves in times of great need.

Ed, Carolyn, and their friends and neighbors saw a great need back in 1971, and knew that they could not do it alone, just as today we know we cannot do it without you. And all of our efforts, ultimately, are for families like the one Ed recalls fondly from the early years. Their story provides a glimpse into the lives of the individuals and families MEND has served through the years and continues to serve today; families that are truly grateful for the help you give and, are often ready to share the little they have with others.

We are deeply grateful for the legacy that you have enabled, and for the 50 years of services that you have provided.

KARLA'S STORY

KARLA AND HER YOUNG FAMILY are among thousands of San Fernando Valley families that relied on MEND for food assistance in 2020. After she lost her house-cleaning job, she shares that for months she was afraid her family would be evicted or would lose their electricity. And even after our case staff assured her there were resources available to her and things she could do to minimize risk, her stress kept her up at night. She adds: “MEND’s help made me so thankful not to worry about food. I have no idea what I would have done if they did not exist. I am so grateful for MEND and the people who support MEND.”

She never has to worry about keeping her family fed thanks to the fresh produce and essentials that you make possible through your gifts.

STAFF HIGHLIGHT - AARON

AARON KNOWS HIS WAY inside and out of MEND’s warehouse, unpacking food donations, helping show new volunteers the ropes, and always ready with a kind word of encouragement. How he got to his role as MEND’s Food Packing Coordinator is a story of second chances and new beginnings.

He shares how he felt after losing a job he loved a few years ago. “Finding work after that was difficult,” he recalls. A single father of four, Aaron knew he had to do something drastic. The stress and worry of not being able to provide everything his children needed was weighing him down. He reflects on this challenging period in his life: “I needed to be able to show my kids that whenever you have a moment of bad luck, you push forward.”

So, he signed up for work experience at MEND to learn new skills and hopefully to find a job.

And sure enough, an opportunity at MEND opened up and he was soon hired.

He has this to say about his work: “I don’t think I’ve ever really had a job that gave me the kind of satisfaction I have at the end of my day. I have many conversations with people who come to the food bank, and they are just like anyone else. They are us.” He adds: “I feel good helping and being a part of MEND. I see it as a godsend.”

And we see you as a godsend as well Aaron.

A LETTER FROM JANET

IT IS PROBABLY TOO EARLY to close the book on COVID but with vaccinations continuing and some of the restrictions lifting, we’re beginning to exhale!

And though we’ve stayed in touch with you throughout the pandemic, we want to express once again, how blown away we are at how you’ve helped MEND serve—without disruption— thousands of families per month! The Oscar Wilde quote: “When it rains, look for rainbows; when it is dark, look for stars” comes to mind often. Through some of the darkest times, you have been the rainbow…and the stars for so many struggling people. Today, I spent some time with our COVID-outreach team, and I have to tell you that every time I do, I’m so grateful for your trust and investment in the work we do. It has enabled us to reach more than 50,000 people in our community, with information on COVID-19, vaccinations and messages of encouragement. As one mother who recently received a visit from our team said: “You are Angels, thank you.”

That’s you. You help reach thousands of hurting people like this mother, each month. The legacy started by Ed and Carolyn Rose along with a group of friends and family, continues to this day, in no small measure because you have continued to believe in the work that we do.

You have done incredible things for the most vulnerable people in the San Fernando Valley. Thank you.

Janet Marinaccio

President & CEO