Meet Each Need with Dignity, generally referred to as MEND, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, California. Its services include the provision of food and clothing, health care, job training, and education. It also operates a food bank that supplies 60 smaller pantries and charities in the region.
With fewer than 30 full-time employees, it relies heavily on volunteers not only for services but also for operations and administration. According to the organization, this has resulted in limited expenses for administration and fundraising (generally less than 6% of annual revenues). In 2011, MEND delivered more than $10 million of aid in the form of food, clothing, and services.
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History
MEND was founded in 1971 by a group of volunteers led by Ed and Carolyn Rose. Working out of three garages, the volunteers collected food, clothing, and furniture for needy families in the area. It was incorporated as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in 1976.
In 1982, its operations were consolidated into a small warehouse in Pacoima, Los Angeles, which the organization then purchased in 1985. In 1987, the organization hired its first paid staff member, Marianne Haver Hill, now its CEO.
The 1990s witnessed an expansion of its services, beginning with a free medical and dental clinic, opened in 1991. (A vision clinic was added in 2001.) In 1992 it introduced a computer lab to offer English language learning and job training. In 1998, it began a job training program through volunteer work in some of its programs.
MEND's original facility was severely damaged by the Northridge earthquake in January 1994 and was reconstructed within six months. Two years later, its capacity was doubled to 20,000 square feet. In 2003, to accommodate further growth, the organization purchased land near its original facility and opened a 40,000-square-foot building there in 2007. The original building remains in use as the organization's education and training center.
In March 2009, as a cost-cutting measure in response to the 2008 recession, the organization reduced its operating expenses by closing its doors on Mondays.
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Programs
MEND operates what it describes as the second-largest emergency food bank in Los Angeles. Food is distributed directly from its headquarters and satellite locations; some is distributed to other local pantries and charities.
The organization's clothing center distributes donated clothing and other small household items to families in need and hosts a number of events, such as a twice-a-year "baby shower" and educational session for low-income expectant mothers, dress-up events for teens, and job-interview workshops.
Staffed by volunteer health professionals, MEND's health-care clinics provide free health, dental, and vision care to uninsured, low-income patients. Specialty clinics focus on diabetes, hypertension, women's health, and chiropractic care. With the San Fernando Valley Dental Society, the dental clinic hosts an annual event providing free dental screenings and fluoride treatment to hundreds of school children.
From its founding, the group has conducted a home visiting program, in which trained volunteers meet with families and refer them to appropriate MEND programs or to other community agencies. Referral services are also provided at MEND headquarters.
The group's education and training center offers classes in English as a second language, Spanish, literacy, and sewing. The center also operates a computer lab and provides youth services.
In conjunction with the services it offers, MEND runs several job training programs in areas such as food service, dental assistance, and warehousing & inventory control.
Since 2008, the organization has offered homeless clients the use of shower facilities in its headquarters and access to toiletries, hot meals, clean clothing, and food boxes from the food bank.
Every December, up to 1400 families are visited by MEND volunteers in their homes. Those in most need are recommended for informal "adoption" by volunteers and community groups; others can visit MEND headquarters to receive gifts and boxes of food for Christmas dinner. The relationship between volunteers and their adoptive families often continues beyond the holidays.
Recognition
MEND has been given a four-star rating by Charity Navigator and has earned a GuideStar Exchange Seal for its "commitment to transparency."
In the book Forces for Good: The Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits (2012), the organization was profiled for its use of shared leadership.
MEND was honored with the 2012 Governor's Volunteering and Service Award as California's Nonprofit of the Year. MEND was chosen by the office of the Governor and CaliforniaVolunteers in recognition of its "service and innovation while addressing the increasing needs of the state of California."
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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