Interfaith Food Ministry has been providing supplemental food as a 501(c)(3) non-profit in Western Nevada County since 1987. Over those 35 years, 1,000,000 seniors, families with children, and single adults have walked through our doors.
But the genesis of IFM actually goes back to 1981, when Mary Chan went on a missionary trip to China, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. She was very moved by the poverty that she saw. When she returned home to Grass Valley, she felt the need to feed the poor in the community....feeling that "charity begins at home."
Thus, Operation Blessings began. Mary and a few like-minded individuals rented a small house with the rent paid by St. Patrick's Church and Calvary Bible Church. A Board was formed and Mary was elected Director.
Mary and her team of volunteers collected food at Safeway and Lucky stores, even offering a free haircut program for awhile. There was also room for clothing and toys. They were open Monday-Wednesday-Friday until the food ran out.
As need grew and word spread, they moved to an empty church on Main Street, and then to a garage on South Auburn, which evolved to form Interfaith Food Ministry in 1987. Now, a new building on Henderson Street is providing more food storage and the ability to serve more clients.
But the genesis of IFM actually goes back to 1981, when Mary Chan went on a missionary trip to China, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. She was very moved by the poverty that she saw. When she returned home to Grass Valley, she felt the need to feed the poor in the community....feeling that "charity begins at home."
Thus, Operation Blessings began. Mary and a few like-minded individuals rented a small house with the rent paid by St. Patrick's Church and Calvary Bible Church. A Board was formed and Mary was elected Director.
Mary and her team of volunteers collected food at Safeway and Lucky stores, even offering a free haircut program for awhile. There was also room for clothing and toys. They were open Monday-Wednesday-Friday until the food ran out.
As need grew and word spread, they moved to an empty church on Main Street, and then to a garage on South Auburn, which evolved to form Interfaith Food Ministry in 1987. Now, a new building on Henderson Street is providing more food storage and the ability to serve more clients.
