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Feed 95 families each week at the Second Helping in Oakland

Santiago runs a volunteer pantry feeding 95 families; this fund restocks shelves for the winter.

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Santiago H. Medina
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Oakland
Since 2022, our volunteer team has run the Second Helping every Wednesday from the back of the mosque courtyard. We started with 11 families, and now we feed 95 each week. Donations have dropped by about 37% this winter, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 7 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the Oakland market and keep every receipt. Each $25 feeds a family of four for a week. I'll post the weekly shopping receipts and a photo of the shelves each Sunday. Where the $2,350 goes: • Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $1,050 • Fresh vegetables and fruit: $600 • Baby formula and diapers: $420 • Refrigeration and electricity: $280 I'll keep this page updated with receipts as things happen. - Santiago

Updates from Santiago

  1. 11% there. I met with the wholesaler and confirmed the amounts. Thank you.

  2. Quick update: $157 raised so far (7%). I made the first payment toward baby formula and diapers. Receipts coming as soon as I have them.

  • Frank Maier 🇩🇪 · $46
  • Megan Brewer 🇬🇧 · $10
  • Esteban F. Reyes 🇲🇽 · $50
  • Daniela S. Navarro 🇦🇷 · $15
  • Araceli L. Cabrera 🇺🇸 · $10
  • Decha Chanchai Kongkaew 🇹🇭 · $75
  • Njoroge Onyango Shayo 🇺🇬 · $25
  • Janani L. Acharya 🇮🇳 · $30
  • Rony Pavel Howlader 🇧🇩 · $15
  • Sylvie Hélène Mercier 🇫🇷 · $50

    “Hang in there. Hope this covers a bit of it. - Saint-Étienne”

  • Chloe P. Martinez 🇺🇸 · $62

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  • Hope it all works out, Santiago. Hope this works out for you. Don't be hard on yourself for asking. Take care.

    • wishing you peace, Santiago. Hope this works out for you. I hope August is when things finally get easier. Thinking of Oakland.

      • Praying for you. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. Love from Austin

        • Sending good thoughts, Santiago. Hope this works out for you. I'm in social work myself and wanted you to know we're cheering for you. Blessings.

          • So sorry you're going through this. Projects like this are what make a place worth living in. Love from Niterói

            $388 raised of $2,350

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