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(Image: Keith King plays a game on a smartphone while staying at the temporary homeless shelter set up at the San Diego Convention Center. Nelvin C. Cepeda U-T)
Lucky Duck Foundation Announces Funding Support of COVID-19 Tests for Homeless Residents and Staff at the Convention Center Temporary Shelter
SAN DIEGO, CA – April 14, 2020: The Lucky Duck Foundation (LDF) today announced that it funded COVID-19 tests for 1,500 individuals experiencing homelessness at the San Diego Convention Center temporary shelter. The effort, in partnership with Family Health Centers of San Diego (FHCSD), is a proactive measure to protect the health of San Diego’s homeless community. Testing is anticipated to begin Thursday with 150 tests administered per day. In addition, service providers, San Diego Police Department personnel, and other front-line staff working at the Convention Center in support of those being sheltered will also be tested.
LDF stepped in to provide funding for the COVID-19 test kits after finding out that no testing had been done. “We believe it is critical to test all of the people being sheltered at the Convention Center along with those providing support and services,” said Dan Shea, LDF Board Member and Tuesday Group Co-Founder. “By administering tests at the Convention Center, we can take informed action to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 throughout the community. We are pleased to collaborate with Family Health Centers of San Diego and the Regional Task Force on the Homeless on this important measure.”
ABOUT THE LUCKY DUCK FOUNDATION
Since 2005, The Lucky Duck Foundation (LDF) has raised funds and awareness for numerous charitable causes throughout San Diego. In 2017, due to the growing homelessness epidemic, LDF pivoted to focus on providing aid and relief for individuals and families living without permanent housing. Since then, LDF and its co-founders, Pat & Stephanie Kilkenny, have funded and activated numerous high-impact programs such as bridge shelters, employment and job training initiatives, research, outreach, and more.
To follow the Lucky Duck Foundation on social:
https://www.instagram.com/LuckyDuckFoundation
https://www.facebook.com/LuckyDuckFoundation
https://twitter.com/LuckyDuckFound
ABOUT THE TUESDAY GROUP
The Tuesday Group is a group of local business and civic leaders who cnvene every Tuesday to discuss best-in-class strategies and collaborations for helping San Diego County’s homeless. Led by Peter Seidler and Dan Shea, it has met every Tuesday since 2016. Weekly participants include Pat and Stephanie Kilkenny, Tom Mulvaney, Dan Novak, Debbie Ruane, Keith Jones, Jeff Martin, Mitch Mitchell, Dan Herbert, Peter Seidler, and Dan Shea.
For media inquiries, contact Drew Moser: drewm@luckyduckfoundation.org / (619) 417-1149.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
