August 26, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Download this Prescott-Joseph press release in pdf format
Grand opening August 26, 2006
2:00 – 4:00 pm
Prescott-Joseph Center for Community Enhancement
Prescott-Joseph Center for Community Enhancement, Inc. (PJCCE) has established a new food pantry in West Oakland, one of the Bay Area’s most impoverished neighborhoods. To better service the 35 percent of its approximately 24000 residents who live below the federal poverty line, each month PJCCE will give support to families who are in need of emergency food and other essential supplies.
With the closing of two local food pantries, this has left a significant gap in emergency food services for a community that is already depressed with high poverty and unemployment rates. Currently, PJCCE is a member of the Alameda County Food Bank and will purchase food items there. Moreover, to strengthen our food distribution boxes, fresh produce will be purchased from African American and Latino farmers at Mandela Farmer’s Market. Other comfort goods will be acquired from the Northern California Compassion Network, which has a warehouse project that gathers food and household items for distribution among local food pantries and community-based organizations.
By coordinating a small food pantry in West Oakland, the need for food, particularly near the end of the month for low-income residents, will be met. This program will be coordinated in partnership with St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, which had run a small all-volunteer food program prior to PJCCE, where PJCCE now rents their facilities to store and distribute food to families in need. There will also be a small clothing closet on-site. Jason Harvey, part-time Food Pantry Manager, will coordinate the operations and programming of the Pantry. “The pantry is a much needed source of food for the West Oakland community,” says Harvey, “Besides having food, we plan to offer a variety of nutrition education classes to support the community in healthy eating.”
For more information about the West Oakland Food Pantry, please contact Washington Burns, PJCCE Executive Director at 510-208-5651 or by email: drburns@prescottjoseph.org.