In 2005, Founder and Executive Director Susan Hall learned that 50,000 San Diego County seniors live in poverty with inadequate aid to provide for their most basic needs.  Ms. Hall, a seasoned nonprofit professional, founded The Angel's Depot on July 17, 2005, a 501(c)3 charity with no religious affiliation.  The mission is to provide food for the elderly poor living in San Diego County and to help improve the quality of their lives.  Further, the mission is to promote community awareness and support for impoverished seniors and to act as a conduit to other available senior resources.

Seniors in need are men and women of the generations who fought wars, paid taxes and built this country.  They are proud generations who find it difficult to ask for help and yet, struggle to maintain their dignity and independence. 

To address this crisis, Ms. Hall developed the "Senior Food-for-a-Week" 21-Meal Emergency Food Box Program, a unique, simple and efficient senior feeding strategy that engages the community in solving senior hunger.  These Senior Emergency Meal Boxes are specially formulated to meet the nutrition needs of seniors living with food insecurity and at-risk for malnutrition. Selected food items are high in protein, fiber and folates with moderate sugar.

The Angel’s Depot strategy to solve senior hunger included development of the Senior Emergency Meal Boxes, Senior Advocacy and Community Education and Outreach.  The implementation of this program included recruiting a corps of over 2,800 volunteers and providing volunteer jobs for them, growing a group of funders to over 500, initiating numerous fundraising events each year and starting an S.O.S. Campaign that empowers the community to sponsor a Senior Emergency Meal Box for the hard cost of $25.

Start-up funding came from the County of San Diego, Caesar’s Foundation, Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, Lusardi Foundation, Young Cadillac and concerned citizens.  Hall donated her salary for the first five years, taking only a $10,000 stipend.  The Depot’s doors opened on May 31, 2006 with a grand event, over 300 guests, Marine Corps Band, notable guest speakers and a packing of the first 341 meal boxes.

Now, celebrating 82 months of operation, the Depot’s six staff members and over 3,300 volunteers are proud to have provided 46,306 senior emergency meal boxes containing 972,426 senior meals, using 1,018,732 pounds of food, to seniors living in poverty in San Diego County.  We celebrated distributing our ONE MILLIONTH POUND OF FOOD in December 2012!

For her successes in advocating for, and serving impoverished seniors, as well as recruiting strong volunteer support, Susan Hall has received: the “2012 Woman of the Year” award for State Assembly District 74 from Assemblyman Martin Garrick; Channel 10 News Leadership Award; San Diego Business Journal's "Women Who Mean Business" and "Healthcare Champions" Awards; and was one of five National Finalists in the 2011 AARP Hunger Hero Award contest.

On June 8, 2012, The Angel's Depot was named "Community Organization of 2012" by the Escondido Chamber of Commerce.

County of San Diego
Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians
Caesar's Foundation

Janet Beronio, Sr. V.P. & Gen. Mgr., Harrah's Rincon Casino & Resort stands in front of the County Bldg. with the Rincon Tribal Council with TAD startup funds!

 

To review The Angel's Depot 2013 Budget, please click here.

To review The Angel's Depot 2011 990 Tax Return, please click here.
To review The Angel's Depot 2010 990 Tax Return, please click here.
To review The Angel's Depot 2009 990 Tax Return, please click here.
To review The Angel's Depot 2008 990 Tax Return, please click here.
To review The Angel's Depot 2007 990 Tax Return, please click here.
To review The Angel's Depot 2006 990 Tax Return, please click here.

To review The Angel's Depot 2011 Audited Financial Statements, please click here.
To review The Angel's Depot 2010 Audited Financial Statements, please click here.
To review The Angel's Depot 2009 Audited Financial Statements, please click here.

It was a GRAND OPENING on May 31, 2006!

341 "Senior Food-for-a-Week" Emergency Food Boxes were packed
by volunteers after the Ribbon Cutting!

Photographs compliments of Michael Elliott.

United States Marine Corps Color Guard from Camp Pendleton.

1st MEF Band was awesome!

Father Jim Rafferty gives us a thoughtful invocation.

2nd V.P. Jim Fitzsimmons, Master of Ceremony.

Co-Founders Supervisor Bill Horn and Susan Hall.

The Angel's Depot Board of Directors is introduced.

Channel 10 News anchor Geni Cavitt awards Susan Hall
the 10 News Leadership Award!

Major General Michael Lehnert speaks of the proud seniors
who served their country!

Vista Mayor Morris Vance brought proud best wishes!

Pam Smith, Director of County Aging and Independence Services,
lends support.

Board Member Lydia Bustos and her boss Benny bring a $1500 check from Vista Wal-Mart!

Board Secretary Martie Williamson brings food checks and a $1000 pledge from the PennySaver!

Rincon Band of San Luiseño Mission Indians Tribal Council Members.
Gilbert Parada and Charlie Kolb are proud founding sponsors!

The Brownies did a great job on their food drive!

Gilbert Parada helps a Brownie Scout up to the microphone.

Special guest Mickey Wiles, 97 at the Depot Grand Opening, served with the Red Cross
in Germany in WWII. She is now 103 years old, sharp as a tack and still supports the Depot!

Over 300 guests attended the Grand Opening on a very warm day!

Supervisor Bill Horn officially cuts the ribbon to open The Angel's Depot warehouse for packing!

Bill Horn packs the very first emergency food box and slips in a note
to the recipient!

A sea of nutritious emergency food boxes packed by Harrah's volunteers at the Grand Opening soon found their way to needy seniors.

The Angel's Depot warehouse was quiet and well stocked by 7:00 p.m.

   

THE ANGEL'S DEPOT 1497 Poinsettia Avenue, Suite 158, Vista, CA 92081 - Email The Angel's Depot