About FIES
...rebuilding lives of the hungry and homeless
About Us
about fullerton interfaith emergency service
History of FIES
Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Service, Inc. (FIES) is a cooperative community organization established in 1975 by the Fullerton Interfaith Ministerial Association (FIMA). The purpose of FIES has always been to provide emergency food, transitional housing and other support services to the hungry and homeless in our community.
- The Food Distribution Center was the first of FIES’ permanent programs. Today, the Distribution Center is open Monday - Friday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and helps with bags of food, motel and clothing vouchers and rental and utility assistance (when funds are available). In 2008, 4,012 food bags were distributed and more than 13,000 individuals were helped with various support services.
In 1986, FIES opened the doors of New Vista Transitional Living Center to provide housing for homeless families. The initial property included a front house, a back house and a garage. In 1990, after the garage burned down, a three-car garage and loft unit were added to the property through the help of HomeAid Orange County, increasing the capacity to 5 families. In 1993, FIES purchased the adjoining property. This addition increased the capacity to 8 families. The amount of money raised during those two capital campaigns allowed FIES to completely pay off the mortgages for both properties. In January of 2006, New Vista opened another addition in partnership with HomeAid Orange County and Brookfield Homes. This addition allows us to house up to 12 families or a maximum of 50 people. The New Vista Program allows families to stay up to 6 months, pending completion of program milestones. In 2008 we provided housing for 42 families, including 69 children.- In 1987, FIES began working with other organizations to coordinate the Holiday Clearing Program with the Fullerton School District for approximately 800 low-income families, in Fullerton, including 3,000 children. The families are provided with food bags, food vouchers, store gift certificates, and toys for the children. This program operates during the first three weeks of December, but is in planning for much of the year.
- In July of 2002, FIES took the Interfaith Shelter Network (ISN) under its umbrella. This is a program for up to 12 single, employable adults who are housed at local congregations for two or three week periods. The guests are able to stay in the program for up to 4 months, pending completion of program milestones. The Orange County Homeless Issues Task Force started the ISN Program in 1989. In July of 1997, the program came under the administration of the Homeless Intervention Shelter (HIS House) and in July of 1999, ISN organized a collaborative of member congregations to administer the program operating under the non-profit umbrella of the First Christian Church of Fullerton. We currently have 20 hosting and supporting congregations and our goal is to serve 50 individuals annually.
Interested in volunteering?
FIES is in need of volunteers to work in our front office in the afternoons, Monday—Friday answering the phone, greeting clients and providing minor office assistance. If you are able to help out, please give us a call. 714.680.3691.