How important is food & water?
At the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, the Lucky Duck Foundation launched our Food and Water initiative, a homeless service program, thanks to the vision and generosity of the Aqualia Foundation International, LTD, and in partnership with the San Diego Sheriff’s Department and the Regional Task Force on the Homeless.
And, thanks to the hard work of professional outreach workers from organizations such as McAlister, HomeStart, Crisis House, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Vista Hill, Youth Assistance Coalition, Oceanside Homeless Resource, Project Overlay, Salvation Army, the YMCA, Veterans Village of San Diego, and others, the program now serves approximately 1,000 individuals per day.
Recently we surveyed outreach workers to better understand how effective the initiative is connecting with people living unsheltered. We also asked about the impact it has on the people they serve. The survey results provided valuable insights as we continue to expand and improve the program to include more service areas and offer more lifesaving items such as Empowerment Plan’s transformative sleeping bag coats and COVID-prevention hygiene kits.
Here’s What the Outreach Workers Had to Say:
- 85% believe they have more positive interactions with people living unsheltered because of the food & water
- 88% believe the food & water has made their outreach efforts more successful
- 97% believe the food & water is lifesaving
- 100% of the people receiving the meal kits are grateful
We asked outreach workers what they needed to connect more successfully with people experiencing homelessness. The most common response was access to housing resources. Workers also shared that more housing, access to mental health and substance abuse services, and affordable resources like healthcare would be valuable tools to alleviating the hardship of homelessness.
Volunteers Needed for Homeless Service Program Outreach
This feedback is integral as we grow the initiative to serve more people each day. So are volunteers. Due to new restrictions, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department has had to reduce its role. While they are still preparing and delivering the meal items to our distribution center at MJB Freight Systems, volunteers are needed to help pack the meals before loading them into outreach worker vehicles.
Learn More about the Food and Water Delivery Initiative
There are many different ways to help alleviate the suffering of homelessness. Volunteer, donate and share what you’ve learned on social using the buttons below. Together, we can ensure the well-being of our unsheltered neighbors while helping them move from the streets to shelter, housing, and a healthier place in life.
