Children's Hunger Fund
Children's Hunger Fund is a Christian nonprofit that equips local churches to provide food, practical aid, and relationship-based support to children and families experiencing poverty.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Children's Hunger Fund (CHF) is a Christian humanitarian nonprofit organization founded in 1991 by Dave Phillips in Los Angeles, California. Rather than operating primarily as a direct-service agency, CHF works through local churches and partner organizations, supplying food, material assistance, training, and organizational support so that congregations can serve impoverished families in their own communities. Its stated mission is to bring hope to suffering children by equipping local churches for gospel-centered mercy ministry. The organization's operating model is commonly summarized by the acronym F.A.C.E.: Feed, Aid, Connect, and Equip. CHF feeds families with nonperishable food, provides practical aid such as household goods and toys, connects churches with people in need through repeated personal contact, and equips congregations through training, educational resources, and networks of like-minded churches. This approach is known as Relational Mercy Ministry. The aim is not simply to distribute commodities, but to encourage church volunteers to visit households, understand their circumstances, and develop continuing relationships. A central program is the Food Pak. These packages contain nonperishable food and can weigh as much as 20 pounds, providing approximately a week of food for a family of four depending on household needs and contents. Food Paks are assembled by volunteers at CHF distribution centers and then collected by domestic churches or shipped in containers to international church partners. Churches distribute them directly to families, often alongside other forms of assistance and pastoral or community support. The earlier Care Package program, launched in 1998, established the basic model and was later renamed Food Pak. CHF began on a small scale, initially operating from Phillips's garage with one employee and serving eight churches representing approximately 200 to 300 families. The organization expanded its relief work during the 1992 Los Angeles riots and participated in emergency response after the 1994 Northridge earthquake at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It later established distribution and training operations in additional parts of the United States, including the Chicago area, San Antonio, and Dallas. The Midwest center opened in 2006 and closed in 2018, while the Southwest region grew through facilities in San Antonio and Dallas. Internationally, CHF develops Mercy Networks: groups of churches pursuing coordinated, gospel-centered relief work, generally with a local nongovernmental organization serving as a regional hub. Its first such network was formed in Uganda in 2004 through a partnership with Africa Renewal Ministries. The partnership included Food Pak support and assistance connected with homes at Bethany Village orphanage. By 2016, CHF reported Mercy Networks in 24 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and North America. In 2013, CHF introduced Rethink Mercy Equipping, a workshop and training initiative intended to help churches build sustainable local mercy ministries. The organization reported that more than 1,100 churches had been trained through the program, resulting in 46 Mercy Networks across five continents. CHF also relies heavily on volunteer labor. Volunteers pack food, sort donated goods, prepare toys, and assist with distribution at its centers. America's Toy Wrap is an annual event in which volunteers prepare donated toys for distribution to children through churches and partner organizations. CHF presents financial stewardship, transparency, and accountability as core organizational priorities. The organization has stated that 97 percent of donations support programs serving children and families. It is associated with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and has received favorable evaluations from Charity Navigator and MinistryWatch, although ratings and efficiency figures are time-sensitive and should be checked against current third-party records. By 2013, CHF reported having distributed more than one billion dollars in aid to children and families in need. The organization is best understood as a faith-based logistics, training, and church-networking platform for domestic and international poverty relief rather than as a conventional consumer brand.
History
Children's Hunger Fund was established in 1991 by Dave Phillips in Los Angeles. The ministry initially operated from Phillips's garage with a single employee and served eight churches representing several hundred families. Its early work focused on mobilizing churches to deliver food and practical assistance to children and families facing poverty. The organization responded to major local emergencies as it grew. Following the 1992 Los Angeles riots, CHF expanded food distribution in South Central Los Angeles. After the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the Federal Emergency Management Agency asked the organization to assist with relief. These responses helped develop CHF's emphasis on using existing community and church relationships to deliver aid quickly. In 1998, CHF introduced its Care Package program. Food was placed in purpose-designed cardboard boxes and delivered by trained volunteers to struggling families in their homes. The program was intended to create an ongoing relationship rather than a one-time transaction. It was subsequently renamed Food Pak and became a central instrument of what CHF calls Relational Mercy Ministry. CHF expanded beyond Southern California through new distribution facilities and church partnerships. In 2004, it worked with Africa Renewal Ministries in Uganda to create its first international Mercy Network. The network model links churches pursuing coordinated mercy ministry and uses a local organization as a hub for training, logistics, and support. CHF's international work included Food Paks and assistance related to homes at Bethany Village orphanage. The second CHF distribution center opened near Chicago in 2006. During its first year, the Midwest operation trained 64 churches and agencies. The Midwest office later closed in July 2018. In 2009, CHF established a Southwest region in San Antonio, then expanded that region with a Dallas center in 2016. In 2013, the organization launched Rethink Mercy Equipping, a workshop-based training program for churches. Participating congregations receive instruction in relational mercy ministry and may gain access to Food Paks and wider Mercy Networks. CHF reported that the program had trained more than 1,100 churches and contributed to 46 networks across five continents. By 2016, CHF described its Mercy Network presence as spanning 24 countries, including the United States, countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, several African nations, countries in Southeast and South Asia, and Belarus, Romania, and Ukraine. Domestic and international work is supported by volunteers who pack food, sort donated goods, wrap toys, and prepare materials at distribution centers. America's Toy Wrap became the organization's largest annual volunteer event, with toys donated by manufacturers and retailers distributed through churches and partner groups. CHF has emphasized financial accountability and program efficiency throughout its history. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and has received favorable assessments from Charity Navigator and MinistryWatch. The organization reported distributing more than one billion dollars in aid by 2013 and stated that 97 percent of donations supported programs serving children and families. Those historical figures and ratings should not be treated as current without verification from the organization or the relevant rating bodies.
- 2018
Midwest office closed
[1]CHF closed its Chicago-area distribution center in July.
- 2016
Dallas distribution center opened
[1]CHF expanded its Southwest distribution network with a Dallas facility.
- 2013
Rethink Mercy Equipping introduced
[1]CHF launched workshops designed to train churches in relational mercy ministry and connect them with Mercy Networks.
- 2009
San Antonio distribution center added
[1]CHF established a Southwest regional operation in San Antonio.
- 2006
Chicago-area distribution center opened
[1]CHF opened its second distribution center and began training churches and agencies in the Midwest.
- 2004
First Mercy Network formed in Uganda
[1]CHF partnered with Africa Renewal Ministries to support churches and related child welfare work in Uganda.
- 1998
Care Package program launched
[1]CHF introduced boxed food deliveries designed to support recurring, relationship-based assistance; the program later became Food Pak.
- 1994
Northridge earthquake relief
[1]FEMA asked CHF to participate in relief efforts after the Northridge earthquake.
- 1992
Los Angeles riot response
[1]CHF expanded food distribution in South Central Los Angeles after the riots.
- 1991
Ministry founded in Los Angeles
[1]Dave Phillips began Children's Hunger Fund from his garage, initially serving eight churches and approximately 200 to 300 families.
Products and positioning
Faith-based humanitarian support centered on equipping local churches to deliver food, practical aid, and sustained personal care to children and families in poverty.
Food assistance · 1998
Food Pak
Food Pak is CHF's principal food-distribution format. A package can contain up to 20 pounds of nonperishable food and may provide roughly a week's food for a family of four, depending on the contents and household circumstances. Volunteers assemble the packages at distribution centers, after which local churches collect them for domestic delivery or partner churches receive them through international shipments. Food Pak is designed to support personal, recurring contact between volunteers and recipient families.
Church training · 2013
Rethink Mercy Equipping
Rethink Mercy Equipping is a workshop and training initiative that helps churches organize gospel-centered mercy ministries in their communities. Training covers the relational and practical dimensions of serving families in poverty. Churches completing the program may receive access to Food Paks and participate in Mercy Networks with other congregations pursuing similar work.
Church partnership network · 2004
Mercy Networks
Mercy Networks are coordinated groups of churches that practice relational mercy ministry. In international markets, a local nongovernmental organization commonly functions as the network hub, helping coordinate training, food logistics, and church participation. CHF reported networks in 24 countries as of 2016.
Volunteer and seasonal giving program
America's Toy Wrap
America's Toy Wrap is CHF's largest annual volunteer event. Thousands of volunteers prepare toys donated by manufacturers and retailers. The finished packages are distributed to children through local churches and partner organizations, combining seasonal material support with CHF's broader church-based service model.
Marketing campaigns
- 2013Rethink Mercy Equipping
United States · International partner markets
CHF introduced workshops to train churches in relational mercy ministry and connect them with food resources and Mercy Networks.
Outcome. CHF reported more than 1,100 churches trained and 46 Mercy Networks across five continents.
- 1998Care Package and Food Pak program
United States · International partner markets
CHF introduced boxed food packages intended to be delivered by church volunteers during home visits, creating an ongoing relationship with recipient families.
Outcome. The program became a defining component of CHF's Relational Mercy Ministry and was later known as Food Pak.
- 1994Northridge earthquake relief
United States
CHF participated in earthquake relief after FEMA requested the organization's assistance.
Outcome. The available reference confirms participation but does not state the number of beneficiaries or the value of aid.
- 1992South Central Los Angeles relief response
United States
CHF increased food distribution in South Central Los Angeles after the 1992 riots, using its church-based network to reach affected families.
Outcome. The response expanded CHF's local relief activity, although the available reference does not provide a quantified outcome.
- America's Toy Wrap
United States
The annual volunteer campaign brings together volunteers to wrap donated toys for distribution to children through churches and partner organizations.
Outcome. CHF describes it as its largest annual volunteer event; the available reference does not provide a consistently dated participation total.
Brand decisions
2018
Close Midwest distribution officeStrategyBackground
The available reference does not state the operational or financial reasons for the change.
Action taken
CHF closed its Chicago-area Midwest office in July.
Aftermath
No further consequences are specified in the available reference.
2013
Launch Rethink Mercy EquippingStrategyBackground
CHF aimed to make its relational mercy methodology more transferable to churches and community ministries.
Action taken
It introduced structured workshops, church resources, Food Pak access, and links to Mercy Networks.
Aftermath
CHF reported more than 1,100 churches trained and 46 networks formed across five continents.
2006
Expand domestic distribution infrastructureStrategyBackground
CHF needed additional capacity to train churches and distribute aid outside Southern California.
Action taken
The organization opened a second distribution center near Chicago.
Aftermath
The Midwest region trained 64 churches and agencies in its first year before the office eventually closed in 2018.
2004
Adopt international Mercy Network modelStrategyBackground
CHF sought to extend its church-centered relief model beyond the United States.
Action taken
It partnered with Africa Renewal Ministries in Uganda to form its first international Mercy Network and provide Food Pak and related support.
Aftermath
The network approach became the basis for later international expansion across multiple regions.
Recent events
- 2018
Children's Hunger Fund closes its Midwest office[1]
Other
CHF closed the distribution center outside Chicago that had operated since 2006.
- 2016
CHF expands Southwest operations with a Dallas center[1]
Other
The organization added a Dallas distribution center to extend its Southwest regional capacity.
- 2009
CHF establishes its Southwest region in San Antonio[1]
Other
CHF expanded its domestic distribution and church-support infrastructure by adding a San Antonio center.
- 2006
CHF opens a distribution center near Chicago[1]
Other
The organization opened its second distribution center and trained churches and agencies in the Midwest during its first year of operation.
- 2004
First international Mercy Network established in Uganda[1]
M&A
CHF partnered with Africa Renewal Ministries to resource churches in Uganda and support related assistance for Bethany Village orphanage.
- 1998
Children's Hunger Fund launches Care Package program[1]
Product launch
CHF began packing food in dedicated cardboard boxes for church volunteers to deliver directly to families in need.
- 1994
Children's Hunger Fund participates in Northridge earthquake relief[1]
Other
The Federal Emergency Management Agency requested CHF's participation in relief work following the Northridge earthquake.
- 1992
Children's Hunger Fund expands food distribution after the Los Angeles riots[1]
Other
CHF increased food distribution in South Central Los Angeles in response to needs arising from the civil unrest.
Sources2 sources
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