Attending: Al, Jess, Rachel, Terry (new), Ashley(new), Sonda, Robin, Cyndi, Nancy, Becca, Sabrina, Mary
Attendees introduced themselves and noted their organization/activities in improving the lives of our homeless and working poor.
SEA Community Effort 4/19/10
Plans were finalized for the dinner in Armstrong. Members noted what they were bringing and planned to be there at 5PM to set up. Mary passed around a thank you card from Malinda Peeples for the funds raised to renovate her kitchen. Many thanks to Jon Gorecki, Sandy Lenney, JD Dinato and all our members who raised funds and donated to get her a new kitchen.
Undies Mondays
Sonda will head the effort to collect new underwear for the children being served in Hastings at the OUR Center. Mary will confirm which Monday would be best for the center. (Note: On 4/20, the center approved the first Monday of each month. Mary alerted the center that initial donations may be small until the project gets off the ground.)
Sonda’s phone for donations: 501.6906. Mary will contact United Way for a donation letter.
Advocacy at state level
Mary thanked everyone for their calls to legislators regarding the unfunding of the homeless office. Currently the office is included in the budget and Mary will update as appropriate. Chris from ESHC attended Advocacy Day on 4/7, reported at the ESHC meeting on 4/15 that attendance was less than last year but that they had been able to meet with all legislators/aides except two and that most were receptive.
Miscellaneous action items:
Hastings Medical Van support supplies
Brenda Ware at the Community Resource Center in Hastings sees about 10-20 people on the 3 other Mondays the medical van is not at Armstrong. Group could make hygiene packs for the month and deliver so she could distribute as needed. Brenda had mentioned the need is great for full size hygiene products like soaps, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors and shampoo. Jess will investigate her sources and report on what can be obtained. Mary had given a large container of small supplies prior that had been donated by Kathy Bravo of JCP Cares which could be used to start this project. Contact PUSH via the email on the website if you want to donate items. Also, a need for men’s jeans: 32-40 waist, 28-34 long is ongoing.
OUR Center flyer
Mary passed around the flyer showing empty shelves for the OUR center. (On 4/20, upon delivering the bread, Flo at the center reported Tree of Life is no longer selling to them so the food crisis will worsen as they add 80 to 100 NEW clients each month.) Advocacy and publicity of this situation needs to be addressed.
Hogans Harvest
Mary passed around a flyer for the new ex offender transitional housing in West Augustine. Items needed were extensive but include cleaning supplies, household items like flatware, plates, cooking supplies. Also furniture, bedding, linens, just about anything you’d need to set up an empty house. Dr Hogan’s phone: 377.6845
ESHC and Chili’s flyer
On May 5, Chili’s will donate 10% of all sales from 11AM to 11PM to the new educational children’s center being planned for the transitional housing campus. They have allowed flyers to be distributed outside, however, call 824.6623 to obtain more.
Hogans Harvest and Chili’s flyer
On May 11, Chili’s will donate 10% of all sales from 11AM to 11PM to the new ex offender transitional housing effort. They have allowed flyers to be distributed outside, however, call 377.6845 to obtain more.
St Francis House Night at the Races
On Saturday April 24 at 730PM at the Elks Lodge on A1A, a fundraiser will be held with a silent auction to raise building funds for SFH. This has been a successful fundraising event in the past. Call 829.8937 for more information.
Worst to First project
Mary passed cards for members to take to support the Lawton Chiles Foundation to reach out to area children. Many volunteer opportunities are available to work with disadvantaged kids in our area.
MISCELLANEOUS IDEAS FROM THE GROUP
Al noted he has made contact with the owner of the ice house on Riberia and anticipates a meeting in the near future. He envisions the site as a possible serving site and wondered if FNB would consider serving there as well. It was decided to pass this question onto Terry B who liaises with FNB for input. Al noted the homeless have many skills to help with any renovations.
Discussion followed concerning level of involvement in working with and helping to feed the homeless/working poor. It is unknown how much Resurrection Church and the Memorial Presbyterian Church can currently be committed to doing. Resurrection is solid on the second Sunday of every month and are doing an outstanding job. Contact with Memorial Presbyterian has been difficult yet they have a strong outreach organization. It is unknown why this is so.
Mary passed out a flyer she picked up at the ESHC general meeting indicating a group called People Reducing Homelessness have a 300 million dollar fundraiser and asking groups and individuals to apply for funding. Mary noted she had sent them an email as well as one to the Stetson Kennedy Foundation. To date, there has been no response from either.
Mike reported contact with a professional event organizer for fundraising. It was determined the cost currently is prohibitive for PUSH. Feed the People continues to solicit donations in front of Winn Dixie and other establishments with permission. The group agreed that fundraising is needed to continue our outreach. Ideas suggested were:
Penny drives with children
Bake sales
Collection site at Discount Grocery on A1A
Bike raffles
Car washes
Yard sale at Becca’s (by amphitheatre)
Members will continue to investigate fundraising opportunities and bring to the next meeting at the St Augustine Beach City Hall meeting room on May 10 at 7PM. See you there.
Meeting adjourned approximately 845PM.
Mary Lawrence
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