CEO impacts lives with La Verne food bank

By Maritza Velazquez, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 05/27/2008 03:24:07 PM PDT

From left, Alicia Morales, with granddaughter Stacie
Hurtado and daughter Sylvia Hurtado, all from
Pomona, pick out their groceries from Sowing Seeds
 for Life's food bank at the back of DPI labs in La
Verne May 21. (Watchara Phomicinda / Staff)

Now more than six months later, more than 500 people rely on the groceries they get from the bi-weekly food distribution she hosts in the parking lot of her La Verne business, DPI Labs.

"This is just overwhelming," the DPI Labs CEO said. "We saw that there were people in need and it's so fulfilling to know that there's something we can do."

Pomona resident Deborah Kloster can be found there every first and third Wednesday of the month, when the food is distributed.

"I depend on it now," she said. "I have two girls and I get no child support."

What used to be an operation that only needed one small table at the back of the building has turned into something that requires more than six tables and more than 15 volunteers.

Brown's son, 23-year-old Greg De Smet, and his business partner Christopher Murray, have been taking a truck twice a month to the Los Angeles Food Bank, an affiliate of America's Second Harvest, to choose fresh foods and produce to give to those who need it. Soon they will be going to the food bank every week to fill the demand.

Brown uses DPI Labs' funds to buy the food at much lower rates, but says that she needs help now that the word's out.

Now that she knows what the needs of the community are, Brown is expanding her nonprofit organization.

On June 4, patrons will be taught how

to cook their own fresh vegetables.

And on June 18, Sowing Seeds for Life will give out free seeds and teach people how to grow their own vegetables.

"We're really into education," Brown said.

Even the kids who come with their parents get special treatment.

Former kindergarten teacher Kristi Sandberg volunteers every first and third Wednesday to do crafts with the children.

It provides a learning experience for the kids while letting their parents stand        

in line and get the food they need.

"It's so cute. Whether it was the volunteers' kids or the people who were coming to get food, they were all playing together," Brown said, wearing a bright pink shirt while listening to the entertainment provided by the Continental Kids. The contemporary Christian group of about 12 children energetically sang and danced while everyone collected food and shoes.

It was more like an event than a food distribution.

"This is wonderful. It's the best thing for this area. I didn't think I had it that hard off, but I see others here who are. We're all just so grateful to her for trying this out," said Stephanie Conegys of Claremont.

In August, social workers will be on hand to

People recieve food during Sowing Seeds for Life's food bank at the back of DPI Labs in La Verne on May 21.

The Continental Kids perform during Sowing Seeds for Life's food bank at the back of DPI Labs in La Verne on May 21. (Watchara Phomicinda / Staff)

help people apply for food stamps. According to Brown, the food stamps come on a new credit card format, called the Advantage Card.