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Columnist: I hope you have something wonderful planned this weekend for yourself, your mom, your grandma, your wife or a special mother figure in your life.
Dear Center Community, We reached a grim milestone last week, as the United States counted over 500,000 Americans who have perished in this pandemic, including many LGBTQ people across the nation, as well as local LGBTQ leaders and community members. Our hearts go out to the many who have suffered from COVID-19 related losses this year, including the loss of family, friends, loved ones, as well as losses of employment, businesses, relationships, resources, regular community gatherings and annual celebrations. Although the vaccine rollout is underway, we still must do all we can to stop the spread of this terrible virus including wearing masks, social distancing, and washing hands, as we look with hope toward the future where we can all be together again.
Dear Center Community, Food is our most basic need - it is what nourishes and sustains us so we can work, care for our loved ones, and carry on the business of our lives. We have heard from so many in our LGBTQ community that they are facing food insecurity, some for the first time in their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we have seen the need increase exponentially. As we have been in the past, The Center is here for you with food programs and services. The Center, in partnership with the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, holds two Food Banks every month in our parking lot at our Main Center. Our Senior Food Bank takes place on the fourth Tuesday of the month and serves low-income seniors, and our Neighborhood Food Bank happens on the first Tuesday of the month and is open to all. During COVID-19, we have implemented all safety protocols including masking and social distancing for our walk-up clients, and also added a contactless drive-thru where clients pull through the line in the parking lot and food is loaded directly into their cars. Center staff arrive early at the Food Bank so they can pick up food and deliver it to clients who may not have transportation to come to The Center, including North Park Senior Apartments and Sunburst Youth Housing. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have seen increased numbers of existing clients utilizing the food banks, and also new community members who arrive tentative or unsure - all are warmly welcomed.