JFSLA Newsletter - August 2021

JFS Receives Major Funding from the State of California to Purchase the
JFS SOVA Pantry Building in the Valley

Jewish Family Service LA is delighted to announce that we are the new owners of the building that houses our SOVA Community Food & Resource Program pantry in Van Nuys.

Arlene & Walter Schultz, the former owners of the property, were long-time supporters of JFS. Upon their passing, their children inherited the property and indicated to JFS that it had always been their parents’ wish that should the property ever be sold, it be sold to JFS.

Throughout our time at this location, we have cultivated long-standing relationships with our clients, communities, and partner organizations in the area. Purchasing the property would ensure the long-term stability of JFS SOVA in the Valley and would provide our neighbors with ongoing access to the food, counseling, and other resources they need.

“The property is home to our flagship JFS SOVA Valley food pantry and associated counseling services. It was a no-brainer for us to consider acquiring the property that housed these services, rather than continuing to lease,” said David Felman, CFO of Jewish Family Service LA. “Purchasing the property solidifies JFS’s long-term position providing vital services in the community at that location – and eliminates future potential uncertainty. Additionally, the purchase eliminates costly rental expense for the organization, and will allow us to use those funds instead to support the community and our clients.”

Nancy Volpert, JFS Director of Public Policy and Strategic Initiatives, took the initiative to bring this meaningful moment to the attention of our friends and partners in city, county, and state government. During her time at JFS, Nancy has developed close relationships with politicians to help them understand the importance of the Agency’s work, and how much JFS’s services mean to the people of LA. It was because of these efforts that JFS received a $5.7 million investment from the State of California, allowing us to purchase the SOVA property with plans to improve the building and expand our footprint in the San Fernando Valley. Nancy Volpert’s funding request was championed by Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian and State Senator Bob Hertzberg and was amplified by State Senator Henry Stern, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, and members of the Jewish Caucus.

“When I learned we had a chance to make our long-time home in the San Fernando Valley a permanent one, I wanted to help make that a reality. Knowing our longstanding partnership with Assemblymember Nazarian and how important JFS SOVA is to him, we reached out about potentially requesting state capital funding. With the legislature looking for ways to address hunger across the state, this request was particularly timely. I am so grateful to the many members of the state legislature – and their staff members — who believe in JFSLA’s work, championed our request, and trust us to deliver critical services thoughtfully and with respect,” said Nancy Volpert, JFS Director of Public Policy and Strategic Initiatives.

Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian has always understood that JFS SOVA is a lifeline for struggling communities across the Valley and Los Angeles.

“This $5.7 million dollar investment is critical to allowing JFS SOVA to continue providing life-saving groceries and support to the ever-growing number of individuals and families struggling to meet their most basic needs,” saidAssemblymember Nazarian.

California State Senate Majority Leader Bob Hertzberg, who represents the Van Nuys neighborhood where JFS SOVA is located, was thrilled to announce the massive investment, because he knows it will allow JFS to continue our vital services in the community for generations to come.

“Government works best when we judiciously provide support for critical resources in our community. The JFS SOVA food pantry is, without a doubt, one of the most critical resources in the San Fernando Valley, providing food for so many who depend on it, and addressing food insecurity at a time when the need is dire,” said Senator Hertzberg.

Eli Veitzer, JFS President and CEO, addressed the lasting impact this significant investment will have for the people we serve: “For more than 40 years, the JFS SOVA Community Food & Resource Program has been a lifeline for those facing hunger in Los Angeles. Jewish Family Service LA is deeply grateful for Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian’s and State Senator Bob Hertzberg’s leadership which will allow us to transform a rental property into a permanent home with expanded service capacity. Their strong voices and deep commitment to the community will ensure that JFS can continue to provide much needed groceries and wrap-around services for Angelenos of all backgrounds. This remarkable investment by the State of California will benefit individuals and families throughout the San Fernando Valley for generations to come.”

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, JFS SOVA rapidly transitioned and expanded its services, providing nutritious food to more than 5,800 people each month, bringing groceries to the doors of over 1,300 home-bound older and disabled adults each month, and delivering phone and video access to multilingual social workers for benefit enrollment and other critical needs.

For more information about JFS SOVA, click here.
To donate to JFS SOVA, click here.