One of the tasks given to The Center is to try to balance the needs of a variety of different constituencies – a task sometimes easier said than done. Our new participation in the San Diego Food Bank’s Community Cares project (http://sandiegofoodbank.org/programs/communitycares) offers one example of the challenges.

In December, as the bleakness of the financial crisis deepened, seniors, families and those living with HIV/AIDS and cancer began to contact The Center for help, specifically help with food. Many had lost their jobs or seen reductions in their fixed income and were worried about ways to feed themselves and their families. Through the generosity of a number of community members, we were able to provide holiday food for a number of them.

After the holidays, a number of clients and community members approached The Center and requested that The Center establish a food bank for the hungry and attempt to do something about the greatly increasing need, particularly among seniors. While concerned about the growing number of calls and requests, The Center simply did not have the capacity to develop a food bank. As the number of our friends and neighbors in need continued to multiply, we searched for possible alternatives, consulting with other members of the community.

Shortly thereafter, the San Diego Food Bank reached out to us to request that The Center participate in its city-wide effort, San Diego Cares. The San Diego Cares program involves once monthly food distribution at nine sites within the City of San Diego. The San Diego Food Bank distributes food at each site for approximately three hours. Food Bank staff informed us that City Council members Emerald and Gloria were supportive of these efforts and The Center began to investigate the possibility of participation.

This turned out to be simple. Once a month, The Center makes its parking lot available for three hours (including set up and break down). The Food Bank brings several staff to help residents sign up for food stamps, utility programs, employment services … and food. Distribution at The Center takes place from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on the first Tuesday of the month.

Some in the community have voiced a variety of concerns about our participation. Some feared it would increase the problem of homelessness for Hillcrest residents and businesses; others objected to the distribution being open to all, regardless of sexual orientation, while still others were concerned that the program is open to all regardless of zip code.

We want to be sensitive to neighborhood concerns, as well as the needs of the hungry, so we have made many efforts to keep this monthly three-hour event from becoming disruptive: The event occurs after the 7:30-8 a.m. get-to-work rush; participants wait on sidewalks around The Center so as not to block any businesses, and Center staff and volunteers are available to try to minimize any traffic congestion and to ensure the event is orderly and proceeds as quickly as possible.

This week was the second month we have hosted this service, each month serving approximately 200 people. It has become clear that the overwhelming majority of participants in this program are seniors and families who are in need.

Being part of the San Diego Cares program, even in such a minor way, has been a very humbling experience. Once a month, for three hours, we are reminded in a very direct way how badly this economic downturn has hurt so many.

While it is gratifying to see seniors receiving the food they need, it is also heartbreaking to watch a long line of the elderly heading back to the senior residences that surround The Center. While it is inspiring to see entire families arrive to receive supplies and stay to help pass food out to others, it is deeply disturbing to realize that what we see here is just the tip of the economic crisis.

Few of us have ever experienced anything like the economic upheaval we’re going through right now. Every one of us in the community knows someone who has had their hours cut, their pay reduced or their job phased entirely out of existence. Some are experiencing those things themselves.

It is our hope that we can make a small difference for those among us suffering most, and also take care to address the concerns of our businesses, neighbors and friends. As we move forward through this we welcome any comments or suggestions for ways we can improve this service and improve our attempts to ensure the program is safe, non-disruptive and helpful. Please don’t hesitate to call me directly at 619-692-2077, ext. 215.