Activities and Opinions

Attending: Ian, Tina, Anthony, Olivia, Al D, Jess, Al M, Mike, Mackenzie, Robin, Sonda, Mary and Terry

CENSUS UPDATE:

Mary reported the county census committee agreed to purchase 720 pairs of heavy weight white socks to distribute to homeless citizens during the “hard to count” enumeration days of March 28, 30 and 31. Mike ordered the socks, the county has paid and they will arrive 3/22. Plans are to distribute some in the St Augustine area at locations that are helping homeless fill out census forms such as transitional housing and St Francis House and take most to Armstrong/Hastings for the hard to count population there. Mary advised the committee PUSH had met with Bruce Fouracker from the regional census office last week and passed on a map noting November 09 locations and approximate numbers of homeless camps. PUSH will conduct informative outreach to the homeless community, encouraging them to fill out the census form. We are also passing out t shirts and bags with census logos to get the word out. Mary noted volunteers could call Bruce to act as guides if they so desired. Bruce Fouracker: 905.680.3240. He indicated to us he had enough trained paid census takers.

ARMSTRONG OUTREACH ON 3/22:

Mary reported PUSH and Inversehalo will once again support Malinda Peeples and the Sea Community Center in Armstrong from 6 to 10PM on Monday March 22 with steam table ready food, desserts, clamshell carry out containers, beverages and flatware and hygiene products and clothing. Mary noted thanks to Jon Gorecki and JD (Donati-sp), Malinda’s community kitchen has been refurbished. NOTE TO MEMBERS: Bring canned sodas as most of the men like to take their food and drink with them; Malinda will have some as well.

FUNDRAISING AND YARD SALE UPDATE:

The Record will publicize the 3/20 sale at Sandy’s house on San Carlos from 8AM to noon. Donations are gladly accepted. The first 100 dollars will reimburse Jon for out of pocket expenses on the kitchen repairs, rest will be used to fund other PUSH activities. Mary noted Malinda will eventually need an ice machine as the weather gets warmer.

OUTREACH AND MOVIE:

Mary showed the updated movie of homeless camps and farm worker camp housing. PUSH is willing to address any civic or faith based groups and will provide support to any members who want to give one to their own specific groups.

BUDGET CUTS AT STATE LEVEL:

Mary noted little advocacy response to threatened budget cuts which would eliminate the office of homelessness, all challenge grant funding and money for housing assistance. This was at the senate healthcare appropriation committee and remains there. NOTE: On 3/22, Tom Pierce, from the Homeless office, called Mary and notified us that the HOUSE Healthcare Appropriations committee approved keeping the funding intact. So, advocacy needs to be focused on the Senate committee and our local representatives and senators for when the budget comes together for a vote. PUSH will keep members advised but please take time to thank some of the House members sent in a previous email.

OPEN FLOOR:

Bishop Ian, Resurrection Episcopal Protestant Church, noted that the huge increase in numbers on Sundays is stretching the resources of his church. It was decided Resurrection members would continue to be responsible for the second Sunday ONLY in the plaza. They will continue to provide tables and supplies for the other Sundays. Bishop Ian is continuing to reach out to local restaurants for donations. He also noted the mobile kitchen concept is currently on hold; the trailer they acquired will be used to transport supplies when necessary. He impressed on the group the need to continue developing resources for food donations. Jess requested possibility of a letter from Ian’s church to enable donations from the Jacksonville area and Jess will provide him with contact information.

Currently plans are for Nancy to pick up food from the Reef on Sundays and her husband Bob will collect from Aunt Kates and Caps on the Water.

Discussion evolved into potential class action pending against the city by local businesses surrounding the plaza. Ian has plans to discuss alternate serving site with Mayor Boles and will reschedule a meeting with him. Robin, who knows the mayor both personally and professionally, as well as Mary, volunteered to attend with him if desired. A site on Riberia was mentioned as a possibility. Tina, who works with the Visitors Bureau, noted that the Bureau has about 40k to find solution to removing homeless people from the plaza.

 Questions were raised about time to drop off food and supplies at the Food not Bombs servings. It was suggested that 7PM is generally a good time to arrive as FNB is generally there at that time. Otherwise, donations of food and supplies can be dropped off at: 275 St George Street (back bottom apartment) or 33 San Carlos, which has refrigeration capability.

Terry reiterated that Food not Bombs is still working on a consensus for a strategy in case any suits/ordinances evolve against this public feeding activity. He reviewed the current Orlando case which remains in appeal after a win by Food not Bombs (political protection) and Church of the Vagabonds (religious protection). He noted the need for signage to advertise such protected free speech activity, whether faith based or political.

LEFT OUT OF DISCUSSION BY ERROR:

Sonda is collecting seeds for vegetables (Zone 4 ONLY) for Seeds for Afghanistan project which PUSH and affiliates supported last year. She will ship all collected seeds to the main organization for further shipment to Afghanistan. This is an easy, affordable and humane project to support Afghanis and help offset some of the damage our country has wreaked on theirs. Sonda’s number: 501.6906 or you can bring to the yard sale Saturday at 33 San Carlos from 8AM to noon.

BIG THANKS TO ROBIN NADEAU:

The meeting room was a definite upgrade from the Galimore and thanks to Robin’s effort was made available to us. Please be thinking if we want to continue meeting there v Galimore and let us know via website email admin@pushsjc.org if you have objections.

BIG GET WELL TO CYNDI:

Cyndi was recuperating from some minor surgery and couldn’t be with us. Keep her in your thoughts. She’s a valuable member of our group.

 Meeting actually adjourned on time at 9PM.