With the downturn in the economy and the recent supermarket strike, 2003 has been a rough year for the Something Special Food Pantry. Earlier this year the pantry had to close its doors for the first time in 10 years of service because there was no food on the shelves, but big changes could be coming to the pantry in 2004. The board of Something Special has been in talks with Mama’s Kitchen and Being Alive about the possibility of one of those two organizations taking over the pantry, and board members are expected to vote on the issue next week.

“There have been meetings with both organizations,” Al Best, of the Something Special Food Pantry board, told the Gay and Lesbian Times. “We realized in the past few months we were going to have to get over the fact of being an all-volunteer agency. We were going to have to start paying people. I can’t speak for the rest of the board, but I think we felt that wasn’t the route we wanted to go, particularly when there are other organizations that are aligned with that type of delivery of services, as is Being Alive and Mama’s Kitchen.”

Both organizations have full-time paid staff members that will be able to ensure the pantry keeps its doors open by coordinating donations and food drives. Being Alive houses a small food bank at its facility on Centre Street, and Mama’s Kitchen provides a meal delivery service. Both organizations work with people living with HIV and AIDS.

“I was approached by the then-chair of the board of Something Special, Jack Kissling, as to our possible interest in providing the pantry service,” said Alberto Cortés, the executive director of Mama’s Kitchen. “Our mission is defined by the provision of nutrition to people with HIV and AIDS, and it’s consistent with our mission.”

Currently Something Special is serving up to 600 clients a month, providing food received entirely through donations. Most of Something Special’s donations are gathered by volunteers outside the Ralph’s supermarket in Hillcrest at their monthly food drives.

“If we were to partner with any organization it would have to be something that would benefit our clients in the long run,” said Kim Fritz, the chair of the Something Special board. “Our main concern is making sure that we remain, or the organization we partner with will remain, a viable organization, primarily for the concern of our clients. We’ve been around for a long time and we’ve got a very good group of people that we take care of, and we want to be sure that continues.”

Cortés added that the Mama’s Kitchen board is behind the idea of taking over the pantry. “Certainly the hope would be, if we have the opportunity, to use the resources we have to make that the best program it can be. I think there is some commendable work done by many people over the years who have supported that organization — without staff, and being 100 percent volunteer run. That is to be commended and we are hoping to continue their legacy by keeping their service viable.”

The Gay and Lesbian Times was unable to reach Shannon Wagner, the executive director of Being Alive, by press time. On Monday, Dec. 29, the Something Special Food Pantry board will be meeting to vote on whether they will be taken over by Being Alive or Mama’s Kitchen. The meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Something Special Food Pantry office, located at 3820 Herman Ave. The board meetings are open to the public.