My Nonprofit Reviews
Charles73
Review for MEND - Meet Each Need with Dignity, Pacoima, CA, USA
When I look at MEND, I see something beautiful and breathtaking happening simultaneously. I see an organization that is built to truly Meet Each Need with Dignity. A tremendous amount of love and forethought has gone into how MEND has has been envisioned, established, and enRiched. MEND reaches a vast amount of families in need right here in the heart of the valley, and greatly enriches their lives, in an incredible facility, and with an inspired and talented team of leaders, experts, and volunteers. Most of all, MEND creates dynamic and profound good, in such a comprehensive and altruistic way.
I've had the privilege and honor of working with MEND as both a volunteer, as well as professionally in the field of non-profit community work. I've observed some amazing accomplishments, and seen first hand, what a beautifully run non-profit this is for myself. The volunteers, staff, board, and leaders, seem to have a great dynamic, because the events are fun and festive, the vibe is always inclusive, and the results are absolutely astonishing.
MEND also really knows how to create great results, when you provide them with resources. They are great at taking on donations and opportunities, and saving massive amounts of valuable resources and food, from spoiling or otherwise being wasted. One of the best food pantries there is, anywhere, check it out for yourself. MEND can handle donations with expert precision, and utilizes a very highly developed network here in Los Angeles, to insure the maximum impact of every donated dollar, resource, and hour. MEND is more efficient than any business can be, because it matters to MEND, and it shows in how they serve.
As a volunteer, I worked on several different events, and on each occasion the MEND volunteers were all really fun, honest, good, loving people, making a difference together and feeling good while doing it. A lot of creativity in the fund raisers MEND puts together, never a dull moment, with such joy in the way this organization expresses: Giving.
MEND has an amazing kitchen onsite, at it's heart, and that gives it this true foodie element, as well as a lot of character and joy. People love to come together and cook up something beautiful for the community. The food that is prepared there is excellent!
MEND your world, it deserves you.
More Feedback
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
Review for Food Forward Inc., North Hollywood, CA, USA
Food Forward takes the resources around us, and the spirit of volunteerism, and creates a huge impact for families in need all over Los Angeles. They provide massive amounts of fresh fruit, as well as greens and highly nutrious and natural foods, to food pantries and food banks in Southern California. Best of all they know how to make volunteering fun, while getting results, and direct impact for the community.
Food Forward is one of the best volunteer experiences there is, hands down. It is so much fun to get involved with this particular non-profit, in a word, this is probably the most "Organic" way to directly feed those in need with your volunteer spirit.
I have been a volunteer with Food Forward for several years now, and I get involved again and again, because each pick, each opportunity, each spring melt, creates great memories, a sense of community, and best of all, creates a way to feed those in great need in our community.
A lot of times, when you volunteer for an organization, you might be in an office or warehouse facility, but with Food Forward, you really get in touch with the natural wonder that is Southern California, and a community of people that are truly inspiring to work with.
Another amazing thing about this particular non profit ,it's one of the most creative, diverse, and enjoyable non profits I have seen or experienced. There is no better time to get involved in Food Forward; Both intimate, and communal, Food Forward is an experience and a movement that is a great expression of the the following: Southern California Abundance, the Nature of Community, and Creative Compassion
The results the Non-profit gets are excellent, as they literally create bounty, from that which would otherwise go to waste. In that way, Food Forward is extremely good for people, community, and especially the environment.
This is also a great organization to bring first time volunteers, and for people to just jump in and try volunteering for the first time. The organization creates a lot of options for volunteers; they have really learned how to grow the experience, adding new options, fresh sites and challenges, and for those that are interested; there are ways to get more involved, and develop leadership opportunities, which is wonderful. The picks and gleaning teamwork, really brings out the best in people, and yourself.
The art of volunteerism has never been this fun! Volunteers meet up at a site and we are all laughing, and making a difference within minutes. It comes naturally when you get involved with this particular non profit.
More Feedback
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
Review for Westside Food Bank, Santa Monica, CA, USA
Westside Food Bank is among the best of the best, when it comes to the task of getting critical resources to those in great need in our community. Dollar for dollar, pound for pound, hour for hour, when you invest your resources, your volunteerism, and your faith into this Food Bank, know that you are absolutely maximizing the effect of your intention.
For the past four years, I have worked in the field of non-profit food banks and have had the pleasure of working directly with the amazing staff and leadership of WSFB, and I can assure you, this is one of the finest non-profits in Los Angeles.
To draw a sports analogy, Westside Food Bank is an ALL-STAR team of dedicated, talented, devoted, and gifted difference makers, who leverage every available resource for the maximum impact in our community here in Los Angeles. This Foodbank is brilliantly managed, is incredibly efficient, and truly reflects the spirit of everything a Food Bank can be, and should be.
It was a privilege and an honor to work with this team, in the service of our community; and time and time again, I was absolutely blown away by what this compact efficient team of dedicated professionals was able to create, enhance, develop, and deliver in the most critical times.
Don't hesitate, if your intention is creating the maximum impact in the lives of those who are most vulnerable in our community, in our economy, in our society; I can assure you, every dollar or hour you provide, will be utilized to it's fullest possible potential.
The need that exists today, is as great as the peak of the recession. While the banks and financial sector have recovered greatly; the effects of the sequester, as well as giant cuts in TEFAP and other government support systems for those that are food insecure; have kept the need at an all-time high, today right now, for working class families under the poverty line, for seniors on fixed incomes with rising health care costs, for children who depend on the nutritious food WSFB provides to build the healthy bodies, and the peace of mind necessary to focus in the classroom, and grow into healthy self sufficient adults.
Whatever you are able to give to WSFB, they will multiply it's effect through talent, skill, know how, love and dedication. Don't hesitate to make a difference in this way.
More Feedback
How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
