Food Pantry in West Oakland, Lower Bottom
In our daily work with families in need in West Oakland, we at Prescott-Joseph have become increasingly aware of the tremendous need for a food pantry in the Lower Bottom of West Oakland. Previous food banks and pantries have closed (Women’s Economic Agenda Project((WEAP)), Catholic Charities, St. Patrick, Mt. Zion) or are operating marginally.
St. Patrick’s Church had a pantry operated by their St. Vincent de Paul Society, getting food from St. Vincent de Paul. Ruby Atkins was in charge. Because they suddenly had to pay for the food, she stopped the program temporarily to regroup. It occurred to us that their facility, which is across the street from Prescott-Joseph’s location, would be ideal for us to store and help distribute food.
Today Ruby came over and we began conversations with her about working with us. She is excited to do so and will be returning shortly to speak with us further about this idea. We suggested hiring a manager to help her. Prescott-Joseph would acquire and store the food, inventory it, and help distribute it. Also if we get enough funding we would pay the Church a small rent charge. They also have a refrigerator and freezer plus a second room for clothing.
Our executive director, Washington Burns, M.D., has also spoken to Chet Hewitt, head of AC-SSA who says he will help us financially. We need to get Fr. Greg Chisholm, pastor of St. Pat and Prescott-Joseph’s Board of Directors, who is now in Bolivia, to approve the plan. We will work out a plan of operation in conjunction with all parties involved in the coming months.
A food dispensing program for West Oakland ties in with our efforts in disaster planning, health and wellness and family services. It ties in perfectly with our goal of creating constructive partnerships to provide essential services to residents in West Oakland - aka the “Lower Bottom”.