As a lover of humanity, I am always concerned with how others are surviving and getting along and things of that nature. I was trained by my upbringing to always think about others, and if I could, lend a helping hand to help someone else. Therefore running a food pantry is like second nature to me. I have to thank my mother for showing me how to be unselfish regarding giving to others. She always said, Its way better to give than it is to receive. As a youngster, that made no sense, but now I understand what she was talking about.
15 years ago, A good friend called me and asked me if I would be interested in a position with this Non profit organization named Prescott Joseph Center. The job would consist of working in their food pantry. At the time the Real estate market just crashed and I had some time on my hands, so I said sure. Little did I know that that phone call led me into my God given purpose/ministry, that has grown into a passion of mine, to make sure that Nobody goes hungry, Not On My Watch!
The specific purpose of Helping Others Win (HOW) organization is to provide meals and food donations for low-income neighborhoods, community care resources for disabled and disadvantaged people.
The Mission of the HOW.ORG is three-fold:
1) promote individual self esteem of citizens in the community by providing them Nutritional diet.
2) To promote the on-going renewal of community spirit among West Oakland residents.
3) To organize and promote community activities that facilitate economic and community development in West Oakland.
The vision of the HOW.ORG is for a vibrant West Oakland offering resources to strengthen the individual, stabilize families, and revitalize the community. We envision a safe, strong West Oakland community.
The West Oakland Food Pantry (WOFP) was established in 2007 and provides healthy, nutritional food to West Oakland families.
Back in 2007, full and partial closures of food pantries, such as Women’s Economic Agenda Project (WEAP), Catholic Charities, St. Patrick, and Mt. Zion left a significant gap in emergency food services for a community that was already plagued with high poverty and unemployment rates. To fill the increasing gap in food security, the Prescott-Joseph Center established the West Oakland Food Panty. This food safety net program is one initiative to help alleviate hunger and strengthen individuals and families living in West Oakland. There is an estimated 31,118 West Oakland residents (versus the 2000 Census count of 21,048 residents) with 38% living below the poverty level and approximately half of the households with an annual income of less than $20,000. WOFP and PJC provides support to families who are in need of emergency food and other essential supplies. In partnership with the Alameda County Food Bank, and thanks to the generous support of the Crescent-Porter-Hale Foundation, Amazon, Kaiser, and individual donations, we are making a difference.
Our food distribution also provides food to those individuals participating in our other programs, including seniors, pre preschool families, after school youth soccer families, and our community partners. The WOFP is also a community diaper distribution site for families in need.
During COVID-19, the WOFP distributes food every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and the 4th Saturday. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, our Food Pantry Manager, LaMel Smith and a team of dedicated volunteers deliver food to the homeless encampments.
In a recent report from the Alameda County Food Bank, between January 1, 2020 and April 13, 2020, the WOFP distributed 2,586,806 pounds of food. The WOFP serves 900-1,000 individuals each week.
Alameda County Food Bank
1-800-870-FOOD (3663)
Information and Referral Line
Call: 211
http://www.211.org
CalFresh
CalFresh Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
http://www.calfresh.ca.gov/
CalFresh Informational Page
http://www.accfb.org/calfresh/
Please Support Our Food Pantry!
WE NEED:
Turkeys and Toys: With your help, we can distribute turkeys and toys to needy families during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons.
Food:fresh produce, frozen meats and fish, canned goods, cereal, juice, rice, pasta, snacks, etc.
Financial Supportto purchase additional food items to meet the needs of the community.
Freezer:Given our increased distributions, we need an additional freezer.
how.org is A501 C3 organizations tax ID number is, #86–1634101.