CHANNELVIEW – Rodney Redford is by nature an optimistic man, and in his position it helps a lot.
He is the director of the North Channel Assistance Ministries, and as such is responsible for the Food Pantry and many additional services for residents of the area that need assistance to live. The organization started in 1985.
In his desire to provide adequate services to these families, NCAM has agreed to merge with two other organizations for more efficient delivery of help. NCAM will now include the North Channel Coalition, operating as Betty’s Haven, and the Steps Counseling organization.
To accommodate all of this additional activity, Redford is planning on expanding, and building a new addition and remodeling of the building he now operates from, at the corner of Bonham and Freeport Streets in Cloverleaf.
Redford said that he expects construction on the addition will start in about 30 days, with the pouring of the concrete slab. The new addition will add about 4400 sq. ft. of space to their existing 3000 sq. ft. in the present building. He plans on having an even larger second floor, but will need an elevator for handicap access to that area, which is not now in the budget.
The Food Pantry and related services help 15,000 families in the East Harris county communities, Redford said. His service area includes zip codes 77013, 77015, 77044, 77049, 77078,77530, and 77029. Last year it distributed 2.7 million pounds of food to needy families. NCAM is affiliated with the Houston Food Bank for this aid, and in Harris County it is the #3 or #4 distributor helping the Houston organization.
Redford looks forward to helping families on a “one stop” basis, with food, counseling, job placement, women’s shelter, and many more services. His organization is controlled by a board that defines the NCAM service plan.
Long range plans call for establishing a state sanctioned Improvement District for North Channel, to finance the needed services and improve the quality of life for residents of the area.