15 Years of Saving San Gabriel Valley Families in Crisis Earns Local Philanthropist Humanitarian Award

Local philanthropic entrepreneur David Steinmeier has helped thousands of families in crisis get back on their feet and sign a new lease on life. His 15 years of selfless service has brought light to the end of a tunnel in which many people only saw darkness.

“I really believe in the mission of helping people. Really, truly helping them,” said Steinmeier.

No good work goes unrewarded, it is said, and in this case Steinmeier will be honored with the Heart In Hand Humanitarian Award at Foothill Unity Center’s 17th Annual Golden Plate Awards Luncheon Thursday as a token of appreciation for his impact within the community and contributions to the organization.

“I am honored to have been chosen for this award,” said Steinmeier.

Founded in 1980 in a church closet to provide food to a few hungry families Foothill Unity Center has been serving low-income families and those in crisis for more than 30 years.

The Center has become the major source of food, health services and crisis assistance for at least 4,000 low-income families in the San Gabriel Valley for cities such as Pasadena, Altadena, South Pasadena, Arcadia, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Duarte, Azusa, Baldwin Park and Irwindale.

According to Steinmeier, his first volunteer effort for Foothill Unity was at the Christmas Distribution about fifteen years ago when he showed up to volunteer over-dressed wearing dress slacks and a sports coat.

“Apparently I was over-dressed and was told to greet people coming in. I haven’t stopped showing up since,” said Steinmeier.

This day alone ultimately sparked his passion for working with Foothill Unity and serving the less fortunate.

“Foothill Unity is really good at getting people back on their feet within three to six months and I knew that was something I wanted to be a part of. We’re helping people in crisis survive,” said Steinmeier.

Steinmeier’s engineering background contributed naturally to Foothill Unity’s logistics operations from small to large. From organizing large food drives to figuring out how to effectively distribute supplies between Foothill Unity’s locations in Monrovia and Pasadena, Steinmeier was quick to tackle these challenges head on and keep the gears moving smoothly.

“He is instrumental in Foothill Unity’s strategic planning,” explained Foothill Unity’s Director of Development and Donor Relations Raina Martinez.

His diligence has allowed him to climb the ranks at Foothill Unity. He joined the Board in 2004 and served for 12 years in the capacity of Board Member, Secretary, and Board President.

What originally started as a food bank has since evolved into an organization that offers support and crisis services, health service programs and other special programs specifically for low income children such as providing haircuts, school supplies, dental and vision exams and much more.

“He was and still is a guiding force in helping the center grow,” said Martinez.

He helped expand Foothill Unity into Pasadena, secured a membership with California Action Agency Member, and added the much needed Health Services Program while helping the Foothill Unity budget grow from $500,000 to about $1,810,000 in 2016 to meet the expanding needs of Foothill Unity clients.

His local network of equally generous people have allowed Foothill Unity to extend its mission by securing a space at the L.A. County Arboretum free of charge for the organization to distribute food and hold events for the local families it serves.

“I continue to learn a lot from the volunteers that assist me. They are full of great ideas. We’re continually adjusting and learning,” said Steinmeier.

He recalls a specific moment that constantly reminds him why he continues to help people in need.

“A woman we helped get back on her feet during a hard time in her life came back several months later and wanted to donate twenty dollars to Foothill Unity. I insisted on telling her that she should keep her money, but she took no for an answer. Moments like that restore one’s dignity,” said Steinmeier.

Steinmeier and fellow colleagues at Foothill Unity are able to keep the mission alive with the help of funding from the Community Action Agency, private grants and business sponsorships from the Arcadia Association of Realtors and the Pasadena-Foothill Association of Realtors and others that believe in the work that Foothill Unity does in the San Gabriel Valley.

Foothill Unity is currently working on establishing more corporate collaborations to help streamline the programs that are in demand.

“We treat people with love and dignity and that’s why I keep coming back to serve,” said Steinmeier.

The 17th Annual Golden Plate Awards Luncheon will take place Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Ayers Hall at the L.A. County Arboretum located at 300 N. Baldwin Ave, Arcadia. Tickets are $45.

For more information visit http://foothillunitycenter.org.