The Beginning
1991 - Children’s Hunger Fund was established
In 1991, Dave and Lynn Phillips stepped out in faith and decided to establish a ministry that worked to alleviate the physical and spiritual suffering of children as well as support and empower local churches to minister to the poor. With donated product from Dave’s corporate partners and storage space in their garage, Children’s Hunger Fund was born.
1994 - Northridge Earthquake
Following the devastating Northridge Earthquake in January of 1994, Dave was approached by FEMA to facilitate a large distribution of food to families impacted by the earthquake. Children’s Hunger Fund went from serving 10 churches to serving 150 churches.
1995 - One million meals distributed
Thanks to generous donations, Children’s Hunger Fund hit the milestone of distributing one million meals to children and families in need.
1996 - First church training
Children’s Hunger Fund established the Compassion Ministry Training Team with a curriculum designed to educate community leaders on how best to serve suffering children and families.
1997 - First volunteer days
Children’s Hunger Fund began scheduling monthly volunteer days to allow supporters to assist with sorting donated items, bagging bulk food, and preparing items for distribution.
2002 - First Mercy Network is launched
With the help of a long-standing partnership with Africa Renewal Ministries in Uganda, Children’s Hunger Fund was able to equip churches in Uganda with food and training in relational mercy ministry. 30 pastors and ministry leaders were trained and equipped with bulk food to support their ministry.
2004 - Food Pak Delivery program begins
Children’s Hunger Fund shifted its food distribution to a branded box called a Food Pak. The contents of the Food Paks were uniformly tailored to meet the nutritious needs of an individual family.
2005 - Los Angeles Mercy Network launched
In its first year, the Los Angeles Mercy Network distributed 9,000 Food Paks to churches spanning from Bakersfield to south of the Mexican border.
2009 - San Antonio Distribution Center is launched
Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Children’s Hunger Fund distributed $2.8 million in aid to families in the gulf region. With the help of local churches in San Antonio, basic items like food, bedding, beds, and cooking supplies were provided to 900 families displaced by the hurricane. These church partnerships led to the opening of a Distribution Center in San Antonio in 2009.
2011 - $1 billion in aid distributed
Generous donations from supporters and corporate partners made it possible for Children’s Hunger Fund to reach another incredible milestone: $1 billion in aid distributed to children and families in need.
2016 - Dallas Distribution Center is launched
In the seven years since the San Antonio Distribution Center was launched, the ministry of Children’s Hunger Fund expanded to the point that the need for a second Distribution Center in Texas became a necessity.
2018 - Poverty Encounter Grand Opening
Children’s Hunger Fund welcomed guests to visit Poverty Encounter, an immersive, interactive exhibit designed to educate guests on the realities of children living in extreme poverty around the globe and teach them how they can make a difference.
Where We Are
Today - We continue to reach more and more families in need.
Children’s Hunger Fund now serves in 32 countries, including the US. Mercy Network church partners continue to expand their reach into new communities and more families are hearing the hope of the gospel through gospel-centered, relational mercy ministry.