Southeast : CHARITY SLURPEE

The 7-Eleven mini-market that opened in Montebello Wednesday looks a lot like other 7-Eleven stores in the area: The “Slurpee” soda machines are in place, and the aisles are stocked with the latest snacks.

But unlike many other markets, this shop is not being operated by a for-profit franchisee.

Instead, it is run by the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, a nonprofit United Way organization based in East Los Angeles that works to provide educational and job-training opportunities for Mexican Americans.

The Southland Corporation, the parent company of 7-Eleven, spent about $200,000 to build the 1,700-square-foot shop, then donated the business to the foundation.

The store was built in an old school science laboratory on Garfield Avenue, location of the nonprofit organization’s headquarters.

While the shop is open to the public, Mexican American trainees will serve sodas and stock shelves, and all proceeds--as much $40,000 a month--will go to to the training organization.

After trainees have completed several weeks at the shop, where they also will operate the cash register and order supplies, many will be offered work at 7-Eleven franchises throughout the Southland. . . .

Foundation President Dionicio Morales said federal funding to the organization will probably be slashed over the next few years, so he wants to find more non-government contributors like 7-Eleven.

“We don’t want to be crying and picketing,” he said. “We want to start looking ahead.”