San Francisco, CA. Despite periods of increased demand, and the nonprofit being understaffed, Groceries for Elders continues to serve the community during the pandemic. The team of organizers and volunteers are pictured above packing bags of groceries recently for needy seniors.
Program Director, Tom Beaver, said that the nonprofit was born out of adversity and that the service provided has been uninterrupted during the health crisis.
“Groceries for Seniors is a 501c3 non-profit that has been operating since1999,” Beaver said. “It was founded by John Meehan who had an impoverished upbringing and at one point was in prison for minor theft infractions during a period when he was drug dependent. He transcended those circumstances and went on to found the Haight Ashbury Soup Kitchen in 1983. In 1999, the program became Groceries for Seniors. Every week, we home deliver over 1000 overflowing, wholesome free bags of groceries to low-income senior apartment dwellers throughout San Francisco, CA.”
Seniors are at high risk for having complications if they contract COVID-19, and for those who rely on this service for groceries, their financial situation and their health can be jeopardized if they shop for their own groceries.
According to Beaver, the nonprofit had a dramatic drop in volunteers during the early months of the pandemic. For an organization that relies heavily on its volunteer base, this can dramatically affect the community in which they serve. Many buildings have also asked for additional bags at this time, going from 1000 to 1300 bags.
Groceries for Seniors provides bags of food for elders in San Francisco.
When asked how others are able to help Groceries for Elders, Beaver said this:
We are a very land organization. We have only four part-time employees and their salaries equal less than 10% of our overhead. In fact, for every $1 donated to us we are able to assemble and deliver 8 huge bags of groceries to our recipients. We are supported by in-kind donations from Old Saint Mary’s Cathedral who provides their auditorium where we do our work as well as donations from three Grocery Stores which adds to the food we are able to deliver. However, we do have overhead costs that we can’t avoid: our one delivery van, the bags we pack the groceries in, van and worker’s comp insurance, etc. and we do need help with those expenditures.
From Groceries for Elders:
Groceries for Elders accepts Tax Deductible donations in the following manner:
1). Checks, money orders, etc. can be sent directly to the nonprofit at the following address:
Groceries for Seniors
c/o Old Saint Mary’s
660 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
2). You can donate through the NETWORK FOR GOOD – a national organization that processes donations for non-profits. There are access points on our website: www.groceriesforseniors.org
NOTE: for a good look at what groceries for elders does, please see the FACEBOOK page at:
San Francisco, CA. The Eviction Defense Collaborative (EDC) continues to fight against the impact that COVID-19 has on those who pay rent. The nonprofit’s office is currently closed to clients but is still available online and by phone. Those who have received a Summons & Complaint or have been served a notice may contact the assistance line at (415) 659-9184 or email EDC here.
The pandemic has caused many Americans to have financial issues, but for those who can no longer rely on a steady paycheck to pay their rent can be in immense danger. Problems associated with evictions in San Francisco have increased, and if people are forced out of their homes, this can aggravate the already deadly health crisis.
According to the EDC Right to Counsel Coordinator at the time of the interview, Michael Chen, many in the community are being asked to choose between buying groceries or paying rent, and have had their financial situation worsened by the pandemic. Chen elaborates on the purpose of the organization.
“We provide free legal services for people facing eviction in San Francisco (just ranked one of the most gentrifying cities in the US!),” Chen said. “Almost all landlords have attorneys when they begin eviction proceedings but almost no tenants have their own attorneys, and many cannot afford them. Our services fill the gap between this obvious power imbalance and essentially help provide a voice for tenants who are getting evicted. The easiest way to think of this is like public defenders, but for evictions.”
Chen said that some of the services have seen increased demand.
“Because of San Francisco’s relatively strong tenant protections during COVID, our legal clinic which helps tenants file answers and find attorneys has been less busy,” Chen said. “However, our rental assistance department has been extremely busy as many, many more tenants face income insecurity and are being harassed by their landlords to pay rent, despite the Mayor’s Moratorium.”
Most of those who utilize the EDC’s services are low-income and work in the service or gig industry, which can mean that their finances are not consistent.
According to Chen, to help the EDC you can: “Call legislators and advocate for stronger tenant protections – not just delaying payment but significantly reducing payment burden. We also accept donations through our website and funds go directly towards saving housing of the most vulnerable populations in San Francisco, preventing either homelessness or mass exodus of low-income folks from San Francisco.”
If you believe the office may be able to help with financial assistance (RADCo) for the payment of rent, please call (415) 470-5211 or email us here
The EDC provides legal assistance to people who are in legal proceedings for eviction in San Francisco. Learn more here.
If you are behind on rent, you may be able to avoid having an eviction filed against you. Learn more here.
The Shelter Client Advocates work with residents of homeless shelters funded by the City and County of San Francisco to monitor shelter conditions and the application of shelter rules. Learn more here.
EDC is the Lead Agency to design and implement San Francisco Right to Counsel. Universal right to counsel in eviction is a proven and cost-effective way of keeping people housed. Learn more here.
San Francisco, CA. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) currently closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s still offering virtual experiences for children. In the video series The Country Dog Gentlemen Travel to Extraordinary Worlds, canine characters from Roy De Forest’s playful painting Country Dog Gentlemen take you on adventures to learn about famous artworks in SFMOMA’s collection. Here’s a link: https://www.sfmoma.org/series/countrydogs/
The well-being and safety of our community and staff are our top priority. In keeping with city, county, and state regulations regarding large gatherings, and to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the museum and its stores and restaurants are temporarily closed, as is the Artists Gallery at Fort Mason. All visits, tours, and events are postponed or canceled at this time.
Here’s an example of vthe
The well-being and safety of our community and staff are our top priority. In keeping with city, county, and state regulations regarding large gatherings, and to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the museum and its stores and restaurants are temporarily closed, as is the Artists Gallery at Fort Mason. All visits, tours, and events are postponed or canceled at this time.
We look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful galleries and relaxing public spaces, and to sharing the art of our time with you, very soon. In the meantime, head to SFMOMA’s Museum From Home page to find artist interviews, videos, educational materials, and more highlights from our expansive digital collection.
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