Caring & Sharing
- MadameEGOLB@gmail.com
It was one of those perfect days in Long Beach: Mid 70's, skies clear and blue. I approached my destination, parked my car and started walking on the sidewalk. Two men were approaching me with white plastic bags in their hand. As our eyes met, they gave me a friendly "hello" just as I was turning right to walk into the building where the AIDS Food Store of Long Beach is located at the Christ Chapel Church at 3935 East 10th Street.
In the early/mid 80's many gay men in Long Beach became sick and were dying. These men were diagnosed with AIDS. Fear and hopelessness were setting in, as people did not know anything about this disease. People wanted to help, but didn't know how. According to Chuck Huston, Director of the AIDS Food Store, "Word got out that someone living with AIDS didn't have any food. We said to ourselves, we could help out with that." And that’s how the AIDS Food Store was founded. The first distribution was in 1985 and fed seven people (most of this food coming out of the cupboards of Christ Chapel Church’s members, according to Huston), with a commitment that no one in the Long Beach area living with HIV/AIDS disabilities would ever be without food, love and support.
Their clients are men, women and children whose lives have been impacted by HIV/AIDS disabilities. Today, after two and a half decades of distributing many tons of food to thousands of clients, AIDS Food Store remains true to its mission:
“Until there is no longer a need, the ALL volunteer staff of AIDS Food Store will continue to address the issue of hunger in the HIV/AIDS community, be it physical, emotional or spiritual. Whether infected or affected, AIDS Food Store will never turn you away…”
AIDS Food Store clients are referred to them through many social services and governmental agencies. They ask for confirmation of diagnosis from a doctor, and the clients subsist on an income of $1500.00 a month or less.
On this particular day, 85 people used the service according to Huston. However, over 400 people are on their roster. The process is very simple. As the clients check in at the back of the Christ Chapel Church, they are greeted by two very friendly volunteers and given a number. While waiting for their number to be called, refreshments were provided and clients mingled with other clients and volunteers. As their number was called, they entered the Food Store and were given a standard bag of different types of non-perishable foods. Next they had the opportunity to select from a variety of other foods depending on what they liked/needed. Such choices include fresh fruits, vegetables, breads, pastries and various protein items. Meat and dairy products were aslo available. According to Huston, the goal is to provide each client with 2/3 of the food each person needs to live on.
AIDS Food Store relies on agencies, foundations, groups, churches, businesses and individuals to assist with ongoing donations of food, supplies and financial support. They receive no government funding and have no paid administration. The regular distribution days are the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month from 10:30AM until 12:00PM. The remaining dates for 2009 are:
November 28th
December 12th
December 26th
Today, AIDS Food Store is the longest serving HIV/AIDS food provider in Southern California. If you would like to volunteer or donate food/money, please contact them at (562) 434-3425 or visit their website at www.aidsfoodstore.org.
As I was leaving the store, and after the volunteers had cleaned up and were ready to head home, one of them said, "We just had a late arrival." Huston said, "Well, flag him down and give him something." This goes back to the mission statement: no one will ever be turned away!
Photo- The Team of Volunteers and Coordinators at Long Beach Aids Food Store, without them it couldn't be possible.
Thank you!
