About Our Foundation

Lighting the Way to Food Dignity

Ignite The Light Of Hope Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Sylmar, California, founded by Lorraine Aceves in 2020. Its mobile fresh-market food pantry brings free produce and pantry staples to families in Sylmar, San Fernando, Pacoima, and Arleta, and to Title I schools in Santa Clarita, serving more than 5,000 people a month.

Our Mission

We provide a fresh-market experience for neighbors in need, ensuring that healthy food and dignity are accessible to all.

Our Vision

Nourished individuals and families who are empowered to pursue their dreams.

Lorraine Aceves

Founder & President

From Care Packages to a Community Lifeline

When the pandemic hit, Lorraine Aceves watched lives turn upside down. As people lost their jobs, they lost hope too. So she and her family began putting together simple care packages for local families and shelters. "The moment I saw someone smile through their hardship and say 'thank you,' I felt the most rewarding feeling of my life. I knew right then and there that I had found my calling."

What started as serving 10 families at a time has grown into a mobile food pantry serving more than 5,000 people every month, with Farmers Market-style distributions every Friday from Sylmar, San Fernando, Pacoima, and Arleta to Title I schools in the William S. Hart Union High School District.

The road was far from smooth. Within the first two years, just after securing its first warehouse, the foundation learned the building had been sold and had less than two months to move out. There were tears, heavy lifting, and literal bruises, but giving up was never an option. With help from local businesses and corporate sponsors, Ignite found a new home with room to store even more food for the families it serves.

We Meet People Where They Are

A partner site, a school parking lot, a family's front door, or a check-in on the street. No one has to find a ride to a food bank.

Rooted in Civic Partnerships

Formal partnerships (MOUs) with the City of San Fernando and the William S. Hart School District help us reach the families who need us most.

A Letter From Our Founder

At Ignite The Light Of Hope Foundation, we firmly believe that unity and compassion have the power to create positive change. In a world where many individuals and families are burdened by food insecurities, it is crucial that we come together and extend a helping hand. With your unwavering support, we can truly make a difference and bring hope to those in need.

With gratitude,

Lorraine Aceves

Founder & President, Ignite The Light Of Hope Foundation

Our Big Dream

A warehouse of our own, and a sanctuary for our community

We're working toward buying our own warehouse: room for pallets of food and row after row of commercial refrigerators and freezers, so we can accept large food donations and never have to turn fresh produce away.

It will also be a home for the community, with a multipurpose room for workshops and gatherings and a dedicated therapy and healing room. "It's about creating a safe sanctuary where someone can come in for fresh groceries and leave with mental health support, peace of mind, and their dignity intact."

Who We Are

Meet the Team

Ignite The Light Of Hope Foundation is more than just a group of individuals. We are a community of big-hearted changemakers on a mission to create a lasting impact through giving back, empowering others, and uplifting communities.