About 16 people from PUSH, affiliated groups and new guests turned out Tuesday night, January 12, 2010 to the monthly meeting at the Galimore Center in St Augustine.
Introductions were made.
2009 Highlights Report:
Mary gave a rundown on all the accomplishments of 2009, highlighting the major projects. The full end of year report can be found on the PUSH website: www.pushsjc.org
Gleaning project 2010:
Terry noted the early freeze will probably impact gleaning opportunities as many farms brought in help to save as many crops in advance of the freeze. A link to Sandy Newman, St Andrews Society, who organizes gleaning opportunities, is on the PUSH website for information and questions. A calendar of gleaning events is onsite as well. Last year gleaners brought over 90 tons of fresh food to agencies in NE Florida and Terry mentioned the fact that 3000 lbs of edible food is wasted every second. Dana mentioned the huge amounts of produce she gets every Saturday from S and J Farms after the farmers market which she distributes. Becca suggested a link to the Feed the People organizational site from the PUSH site. Terry noted there is such a link on every PUSH webpage.
Endorsement of relocation and expansion of St Francis House:
Mary read portions of the January 1 article in the Record quoting Mr Jon Benoit, VP on the SFH Board of Directors, on the relocation and expansion project. Mr Benoit had contacted PUSH about a month ago to outline the vision and key aspects of moving away from simply sheltering to more comprehensive services. Much discussion followed. Mary noted the concept was aligned with one of PUSH’s major goals of a comprehensive and collaborative solution. The group agreed to endorse the project based on the stated vision and for the first time, concrete support from the county level. Consensus was unanimous.
US Census liaison:
Mary attended the first of the Complete Count committee on January 12, 2010 to kick off the census planning for the spring. PUSH had been invited as liaison for the homeless community. All members were asked to brainstorm outreach ideas prior to the next meeting where Mary will bring printed materials and have more information about the website and a clearer idea of PUSH’s role.
Mobile kitchen outreach:
Deacon Lon Barfield, Resurrection Protestant Episcopal Church, outlined the plans for the mobile kitchen. He brought the donated trailer to the parking lot for all to examine and get an idea of what was being planned. Lon stressed the importance of meeting the people where they are and collaboration with Food not Bombs, Inversehalo and PUSH efforts. He outlined the master plan of gathering and storing food, noting they have substantial freezer storage capability for meat donations. Secondly he stressed the need for organizing personnel at least 3 deep to be sure we have consistent and reliable coverage in the areas designated to be served. These areas need to be identified and then staffed and supplied. Lon noted his ability to acquire donations from local businesses he deals with every day and all agreed on the need to funnel donations like blankets, clothing, and health supplies to Inversehalo for distribution. This way serving sites can also be sites for free stores. The main goal is to feed hungry people in St Johns County in an organized and consistent manner, and also utilizing community helpers, like women in his area who use Publix donations of bread to make sandwiches. Plans to expand services to assist with work and job skills and micro businesses will be addressed after the serving operation is running well. He also brought samples of the high quality of Publix donations that he has been delivering to the food bank at the OUR center.
Terry noted the need to empower people to start their own business, support them until they are independent and move onto other groups. He mentions the lack of dignity many of our clients suffer. Al D agreed and wants to upgrade the serving sites at some point with tables and chairs and have more of a sharing aspect. Lon noted donations of folding chairs on sale would be supportive of this effort. Dana made the point that love imparts dignity; that many of our homeless know we do what we do out of love and that is important to them. Terry reminded the group that Food not Bombs started in St Augustine 6 years ago and that our efforts are building on the groundwork they have laid.
Communications and networking:
Al Malik, Inversehalo, used the census project as an example of identifying appropriate serving areas. The Christmas day expansion serving was a trial run and all agreed it was a success. He outlined the purpose of the Feed the People site: www.feedthepeople.ning.com People can sign up and list donations, volunteer to serve or cook at various locations and noted the increasing numbers at the new 207 and Holmes site which went from 2 served the first Sunday to 21 the following Sunday. He stated wherever he goes there are signs of malnutrition and their main goal is to restore and nourish people. Sandy volunteered her garage for storage of non perishable items. The question of canning all the excess produce was brought up by Dana. Both Dana and Becca agreed this could be done but a site for the cooking would need to be identified. A question arose about leasing the building on site at 207 and Holmes and Terry noted this has been looked into with no results yet.
Jessica talked about Inversehalo’s decision to supplement the servings of food with clothing and hygiene supplies some months ago. She and others have been working with Dollar Tree on donation bins and other businesses as well with great success. Becca noted the hygiene kits are very popular with the homeless and give them a sense of dignity as well. Al D wondered if Hobby Lobby would be a good business to approach as they are a somewhat religious based operation.
Al Malik spoke about the Armstrong experience Monday night at the First Baptist Church. St Vincent Health Mobile set up from 6PM to 10PM while Malinda Peeples, of the church, had a hot chili meal for the men and women waiting to be seen in the clinic for health issues. He and Jessica unloaded everything from their van for donation and many men gladly helped carry the clothes and shoes inside where they were distributed. It was noted the community center there has a computer lab of sorts, with a printer and internet access, and that computer classes and ID/food stamp assistance online would be a good and welcome project. Currently they fill out applications on paper and then take them to be mailed and processed. Lon noted he has computer trainers available to volunteer and Terry has extensive computer skills as well.
Terry noted the majority of farmworkers in the Hastings/Armstrong area are African American males who live here fulltime. The transient migrant population move from area to area based on harvest needs and generally do not have their families with them. Al M confirmed the Hastings/Armstrong areas are complex and the situation approximates slavery. Both Terry and Al noted we have a good contact to cultivate to gain access to the camps and they will be pursuing that. Al noted there were also some women in the same situation and he further said that although it seems the St Augustine area is under control, we cannot forget Hastings/Armstrong. Jessica stated one of the reasons investigations are so difficult is that this population knows no other way of life and we need to have a consistent presence to garner trust, which gives people hope. Terry stated he is bringing the Poor People’s Economic Rights resolution to the next Hastings city commission meeting. Judy, having experience in the area of worker compensation and OSHA, questioned if these laws are currently being applied. Terry indicated there is evidence social security is not even being withheld and that farmers are not covered by the national labor act. Al M noted the level of frustration with the situation in this area and that official action would require bringing witnesses forward, an impossible task at this point. Terry felt the workers need to have the confidence to stand on their own first.
Much was discussed and accomplished at this meeting. We adjourned approximately 9PM. The date, time and location of the February PUSH meeting will be announced via email, the websites, and the Record.
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