In light of the petition begun this week to eliminate Church feedings to our unsheltered neighbors in Pacific Beach, we recognize that we have an opportunity to communicate the full ministry taking place here at PB UMC beyond the free community meal.
A Pacific Beach man is accusing the churches in his neighborhood of making the homeless problem worse.
Source: Pacific Beach: Petition accuses churches of making homeless problem worse
As part of this vital community ministry in partnership with Shoreline Community Services, we host a variety of organizations offering opportunities for aid. In addition to the weekly meal that serves both unsheltered and sheltered persons, each week’s Project Grace ministry offers:
- UCSD’s Student-Run Free clinics offering both medical and dental care
- Acupuncture through the Pacific School of Oriental Medicine
- Commodities (pre-packaged take-home food donated by Trader Joe’s, Panera Bread, and others)
- Partnerships with Feeding San Diego and San Diego County’s HHSA to connect economically disadvantaged persons with Cal-Fresh and MediCal.
- Special outreach to unsheltered Veterans in partnership with Veteran’s Village of San Diego
- Local community sponsors including both businesses, non-profits, and religious organizations
- Referrals to other local organizations and government services to help those in need escape homelessness
In recent months, we have worked with our community partners to respond to the outbreak of Hepatitis A by:
- distributing hundreds of hygiene kits,
- giving free Hepatitis A vaccines through UCSD and HHSA,
- and sharing information on symptoms and prevention methods.
It is our hope that we can continue to provide services to our sheltered and unsheltered neighbors until such a time as these services are no longer necessary.
2 Comments
Seamus McGovern
Providing for the homeless, is positive. Allowing individuals to be on your property every night and most days is irresponsible. Secure your property, a nice wrought iron fence, or some other way to discourage homeless people from living on your property. Children are scared to walk in their own neighborhood because of your inaction. Your permit does not allow sleeping and loitering on the property, outside of Wednesday’s and church services. Your disrespect for the community is shameful. I hope you improve the situation.
Bob Rhodes
Seamus, I understand your frustration. I want you to know that we do *not* allow people to sleep on church property, though we are aware that some do anyway. We have employed a local security company to sweep the property twice a night, and we have covered most of the exterior of the property with security cameras that we monitor remotely. When we find people on the property outside of appropriate hours, we call the police. We are working hard to encourage everyone in this community to be good neighbors. Even so, we understand that there continue to be a few who are unable or unwilling to do so. We have sadly had to inform some people that they are no longer welcome on the church property at all. And we continue to seek out ways to improve in all these areas. Thank you for your concern for the community of Pacific Beach.
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