During our homeless food crisis while the community shelters in places, LOCC, and its' partners have set up a unique process to both financially support and supply food to homeless encampments around Monterey County. The process minimizes costs by partnering with The Grocery Outlet in Seaside, a local merchant store in Seaside where food is bagged and prepared for delivery by volunteers, and community volunteers like yourself to deliver food bags to encampments around the county. Initial food distribution is focused on the Monterey Peninsula and the Pajaro River area. We are seeking individual, corporate, foundation, and store sponsors for the food supplies as well as some funding available through emergency funds at a state and federal level.
To supply two food bags for a week to each person on the street, the cost is approximately $10/week. With approximately 500 individuals and families living in encampments on the Peninsula, that represents about $5,000 each week, or nearly $60,000 through the end of May. A special fund has been established through the Community Foundation of Monterey County and all donations go directly to pay for food and emergency supplies for our homeless.
The food purchase, packaging, and distribution process at a high-level flow as shown below. Thank you to each of you willing and able to support this important outreach.