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Annual Report 2013

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LETTER FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD April 2014

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

As I begin to compose this letter, I realize how quickly the year has passed. It has been a year with many rewarding moments, as well as some challenges. Though a year of transition, especially in seeing valued Board members move to new areas, we made solid progress on many fronts, including building out our strategic plan. I am honored to be the Board Chairperson for the first three years of My Friends House. Our success and stability of My Friends House is due primarily to the belief in the importance of our purpose held in common with us by our donors and volunteer staff. We are in partnership with this community to provide food to those who may be food insecure, where needed to the best of our abilities, share a nurse from a well established hospital in Los Angeles and now partnering with Black Women for Wellness’ Kitchen Divas Program, leading people to cook and seek out healthier

foods. Another milestone for our organization was the completion of the Annenberg Alchemy+ Seminars, a two year commitment. Personally, I am truly humbled to participate with the incredibly talented and dedicated people who work for My Friends House. The challenges we face in this ever-changing system of sharing food with those in need continue to require time, vigilance and dedication to solve. All of us here at My Friends House realize we are on a journey. My leadership in My Friends House has been made possible by the belief in our mission that you share with us. I will continue to dedicate myself through service, reflecting continually on our mission; “My Friends House works to end hunger and promote healthy living.”

Your neighbor and friend,

Judith Tutt-Starr

Board Chair

My Friends House

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LETTER FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

April 2014

“...For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me....” Matthew 25: 35-36

Dear Partners in Ministry,

In 2013, we continued to move forward, albeit more slowly than we had hoped. We added two new board members, Aaron Tidwell and Ingrid Wilson. However, we also said goodbye to two long time members, Nina McCall-Powell and Alix Stayton Hernandez. Recruiting a diverse, skilled, and committed board is a challenge.

Board Chair, Judith Tutt-Starr and I continued to participate in the Annenberg Foundation’s Alchemy program. The Alchemy+ sessions took us deeper into developing and understanding our true financial

picture, which helped us realize that we are a $350,000 organization trying to operate on less than $50,000. Our participation in the Alchemy programs over the past couple of years has made us eligible for an Annenberg Foundation Small Capacity Building Grant.

In our last newsletter, we initiated a challenge to our donors to match a $9,000 grant received from the Southwest California Synod for the purchase of a new van. Thanks to two major and several smaller donations, we came close, raising $8,300!

Our IRS status continues to be a challenge. We received notice that a $15,000 grant had been awarded to us, but would be held until our status was reinstated. Our application to be an affiliated organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is also deferred until reinstatement. In 2012, the IRS informed us that we missed a tax filing deadline for the year 2008, the year that our application for tax exemption was filed. According to the IRS this was our first year of operation as a tax exempt organization; we counted 2009, the year we received official notice as our first year. The result was an automatic revocation of our tax exempt status. In December 2012, we refiled as required and were told that we would have an answer within 90 days. We were assured that our status would be reinstated retroactively. In January 2014, the IRS was reviewing applications received in May 2012. It has been more than 365 days since we refiled! The IRS Exempt Organizations Division is under scrutiny by Congress and the Department of Justice. There is no telling when our status will be reinstated.

We established a formal agreement with Ascension Lutheran Church to serve as fiscal sponsor for My Friends House, Inc. until we are able to resolve the IRS issue. This agreement will allow us to apply for some grants and to continue to receive individual donations that are tax exempt. The majority of our unrestricted general operating funds comes from individual and congregations. Without you, we cannot survive. Your support helps provide at least 3 meals per week for each member in the 100+ households we serve each week.

Remember…Hunger Hurts! Poor Nutrition Kills!

Tempie D. Beaman

Executive Director

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VOICES OF FRIENDS!

Sylvia and Raquel, a mother and attentive daughter, have been coming to My Friends House off and on for over fifteen years. She first heard of My Friends House, when it was called Neighborhood House during a Christmas toy giveaway period. She received a gift for her younger daughter. Her eyes mist as she tries to articulate what My Friends House means to her. The first phrase is , it’s like “being in heaven”, because the people are so kind, friendly and nice to her. She’s treated well and feels comfortable in receiving food and then talking to those who help, because they have good hearts. The food helps her stretch her funds and makes good meals. Not only did Sylvia mention the food, but the opportunity to receive books and clothing items and her mother saw the nurse one time last year. Sylvia smiles as she says, “Even when I’m late, they still try and give me something.”

The circumstances of our friend Murphy’s trials are somewhat self-inflicted, but not too different then many people who are food insecure. Murphy’s approach and demeanor will be what catches you off guard. He’s extremely tall, argues like a well trained attorney and is polite to no end! He lost his wife to cancer a little more than a year ago. He is now homeless because his kids took the insurance money and he lost his home. When asked why he comes to My Friends House food distributions he states, “ My Friends House provides good food and good treatment to me. There is no disrespect and sometimes I get favors. (Like flip top meats) I am treated like a human being.” He asks that “God will bless the people of My Friends House always.”

My Friends House

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SHARING WITH FRIENDS

WEEKLY FOOD DISTRIBUTION

Volunteer staff assist our consumers select from food products arranged on the tables and shelves in the “living room”.

KITCHEN DIVAS

Kitchen Divas is an interactive class led by community chefs who demonstrate ways to incorporate a variety of fruits and vegetables into our daily diet. The program is free and open to the community. Chef Buffy (in print apron) Chef Donna Barrow (white jacket) Chef Matanah (black jacket far right)

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CARING FOR FRIENDS Hunger Hurts!

According to the annual report from the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, My Friends House received 30,471 pounds of food valued at $38,070 in 2013. We paid $7,120, an increase of $165 for 7,000 pounds less food over last year. The cost of food is rising, even at the food bank.

The Parish Nurse from California Hospital Medical Center, Maureen Bradley, is dedicated to the health and well-being of those she sees. Monthly, she screens for diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol and educates consumers on managing their health issues. She provides material on smoking cessation, healthy eating, other health topics. Kitchen Divas teaches healthy cooking methods, introduces a wide variety of healthy, fresh produce and grains and provides information on nutritious eating for health and well-being. My Friends House is a place where people gather to socialize while waiting to receive food. Many friendships have been established in the front yard and on the porch of My Friends House.

Rev. Reginald Hansome, Pastor of our partner in ministry Ascension Lutheran Church, talks with one of our consumers in the front yard.

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THANKING FRIENDS The individuals and organizations listed below believe in the future of My Friends House and our ability to provide hope for

tomorrow by sharing, caring and loving those whom we serve. We thank them for their support and look forward to our

continued partnership.

Individuals

Carrie Baker Cleveland Bailey Tempie Beaman James & Mary Bell Karen Bowers Phyllis Bowers Carolyn Burton Robert Chillison Mark Coates Red Godfrey Frank & Lorna Harrison Alice Hawkins Alix Hernandez Delores Huffman Robert Jones Louise Leslie June Loo Delores Ludzius Terry & Sharon Martin Mary Maultsby Nina McCall-Powell William Riley, Jr. Judith Tutt Starr Melody Stroud Cheryl Tate Aaron Tidwell Barbara Walton

Edward & Olga Weise Brandy Welch Gelene Welch-Woods Ingrid Wilson Ora Wilson Joseph & Artie Wimsatt

Organizations

Another Level Ministry, Gardena Ascension Lutheran, LA Black Women for Wellness, Leimert Park ELCA Domestic Hunger Program, Chicago Food Donation Connection (Harvest Foods) Los Angeles Regional Food Bank Lutheran Church of the Foothills, La Cañada New City Parish, Inc. Olivet Lutheran Women’s Group, Hawthorne Our Savior Lutheran, LCMS St. Timothy Lutheran’s Sarah Circle, Lakewood Thrivent for Lutherans Sprouts Farmer’s Market, Culver City Trinity Lutheran, Manhattan Beach Westchester Lutheran Elementary School

Stamp Out Hunger Campaign Volunteers

Tempie Beaman Vicky Berger Karen Bowers Carolyn Burton

Mark Coates Devante Comeaux Cheryl Hansome Reginald Hansome Frank Harrison Lorna Harrison Ralph Hauze Alice Hawkins Bernard Howard Delores Huffman William Linly, Jr. June Loo Mary Maultsby Diana Simmons Damani Spearman Judith Starr Cynthia Tatum Aaron Tidwell Laura Tidwell

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FRIENDSHIP AWARDS

The Lorna Harrison Friendship Award

This award is presented to the volunteer who demonstrates commitment to the community and the spirit of My Friends House—Sharing, Caring and Loving. The Lorna Harrison Friendship award is presented to Tempie Beaman. Tempie, our Executive Director works countless hours on behalf of MFH, promoting it through her extensive networks, searching out grants and most recently having the ELCA accept her role at MFH, as a Diaconal Call. This award is named in honor of Lorna Harrison, the first program director and long time volunteer.

The Partner Friendship Award

This award is presented to a partner who has provided generous support, demonstrated commitment to the community, and exhibits the spirit of My Friends House. The Partner Friendship Award is presented to Our Savior Lutheran Church and Preschool of Westchester. Our Savior Church and Preschool children participate several times a year, through the collection of canned goods and then lovingly present the canned goods during their chapel services. These items are then boxed and most often delivered to MFH by a school board liaison. We applaud our Savior Lutheran in helping to teach their smallest ones, that sharing and caring is an easy way to show love for one another.

The Donor Friendship Award

This award is presented to the individual or family who has provided generous financial support, demonstrating a commitment to the community and to the spirit of My Friends House. The Donor Friendship Award is presented to Mr. and Mrs. James Bell. Mary and James, former Los Angelinos and members of Ascension Lutheran have relocated to the Midwest and retired in almost the same breath. She retired from TRW, which is now Northrop Grumman and James, an executive position with Boeing Corporation. The Bell’s seek to assist programs with donations, knowing their gift will be used to uplift others.

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FINANCIAL SUMMARY

My Friends House

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My Friends House

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Executive Director

Program Manager

Hunger Prevention

Program Manager

Wellness

Program Manager

Advocacy

Health Advocate

Hunger Advocate

Volunteer Manager

All Programs

Food Distribution

Coordinator

Community Garden

Coordinator

Parish Nurse

Health & Wellness

Education

Coordinator

Administrative

Assistance

HOPE FOR TOMORROW

The Board of Directors and the Executive Director are working hard to strengthen the infrastructure of My Firends House to ensure its sustainability.

VISION STATEMENT: My Friends House is committed to uplifting those in need by providing the best services possible with love and compassion. My Friends House seeks to strengthen the social safety net while maintaining human dignity.

MISSION STATEMENT: My Friends House works to end hunger and promote healthy living.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES: Offering hope for tomorrow by sharing the love of God

Proposed Organizational Structure

Only Executive Director and Managers would be paid positions.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2013- 2018

50% hunger prevention (food distribution) - 50% education and advocacy

Increase fresh produce, reduce processed foods

Reduce prepared fast foods; increase healthy food options

Establish monthly health advocacy program

Initiate Kitchen Divas and other health eating/cooking programs

Establish Community Garden

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS - 2013

Judith Tutt-Starr, Chair Lincoln Memorial Congregational Church, UCC* Nina McCall-Powell,Vice-Chair LA County Department of Children & Family Services * Brandy Welch, Secretary American Red Cross * Carol Burton, Treasurer Ascension Lutheran Church Karen Bowers Ascension Lutheran Church Phyllis Bowers My Friends House Volunteer Staff June Loo Retired Alix Stayton Integrative Output Aaron Tidwell Southwest California Synod* Ingrid Wilson Ascension Lutheran Churcn

*For identification purposes only; not representing organization

VOLUNTEER STAFF

Tempie D. Beaman, Executive Director Lorna Harrison, Hunger Prevention Co-Coordinator

Frank Harrison III, Hunger Prevention Co-Coordinator

Phyllis Bowers Lula Carter Rita Cruz Keisha Hall Frank Harrison IV Ralph Hauze Bernard Howard Grace Jones Diana Simmons Judith Tutt-Starr