A letter from Joan Whitenack, Executive Director:

           Dear Neighbor:

            If you thought you knew what the “typical” Foothill Unity Center client looked like, you would have been surprised to meet Jane. She looked like a woman you’d see across a crowded aisle at Pavilions or Trader Joe’s — not someone gripped by quiet desperation.

            She only stopped by to sign up for a discount on her electric bill. But the income range she marked on the form qualified her family for all our services. As we talked, her story came out.

            In a stroke of appalling luck, Jane and her husband — parents of three — lost their jobs at the same time. As they scoured the market for work, bills and expenses piled up. Things got desperate so fast. Now they weren’t even sure they could hold onto their home.

            Still, when we suggested Jane might want to sign up for food and services, she resisted. “Oh, no!” she exclaimed. “We donate to you!” We eventually talked her into accepting help.

            There is no “typical” client at Foothill Unity Center. The truth is, most of us are just a paycheck or two away from Jane’s dilemma. We hope it never happens to us. But if it does, we know we have a place to turn to get the help we need.

        Thanks to caring local people like you, Foothill Unity Center is always there with a range of services unmatched across Los Angeles County. Last year, we distributed over two million pounds of food to over 2,200 unduplicated very low-income local families. We also provided clothing, limited motel vouchers, and referrals to the homeless and people in crisis. Our clients meet stringent income guidelines and are requalified annually. Over 70% are children and seniors.

        Although there’s no time limit for using our services, many families only need help for a short time to get back on their feet. Three or four months after we first met Jane, she came in to give each of us a hug. “This is the last time we’ll be using your services,” she announced, tears in her eyes. “My husband and I have both found work.”

        During the family crises, coping with the stresses of hunger and economic hardship becomes more difficult than ever. Please help us make sure no neighbor of ours is without food, hope, and caring hands. Send a generous gift to Foothill Unity Center today. As always, we promise we’ll use it well.

We offer assistance to low-income neighbors from eleven local cities: Altadena, Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bradbury, Duarte, Irwindale, Monrovia, Pasadena, Sierra Madre and South Pasadena. Volunteers from all these communities will be on hand to make sure it’s a day to remember.

        Our programs would not be possible without the generous support of neighbors like you. While the Center receives some grant monies, the help we give is primarily funded by donations from local organizations, businesses, and individuals. We’re proud to say that for the past five years, over 90% of those funds have gone directly to client programs.

Please join us in giving your neighbors in need the best possible help: not a handout, but a hand up. With the economy spiraling downward, your support is even more vital to keep our programs going. Your gift to Foothill Unity Center now will make life better for so many Janes and others who need a helping hand.

Please accept my thanks for your caring support –  we can’t do it without you!
 
Sincerely,
      
                                                 Joan E. Whitenack, Executive Director
                                    
P.S.: There are many ways to help! Of course we always welcome your donation by check or credit card. A gift of appreciated securities can offer you tax savings. Including us in your estate plans is an especially meaningful choice. Volunteering or making in-kind donations like food, toys, and clothing enable us to give more. Donating to or shopping at our thrift store, the Rainbow’s End, helps, too. Whatever form your generosity takes, know that we’re deeply grateful for your support.

Foothill Unity Center, Inc. is an IRS 501 (c)3 charitable corporation – Fed. Tax Id # 95-4310817