Posted on April 17, 2020
The ongoing COVID-19 crisis has challenged us all in ways we never anticipated before. At the Karsh Center, this has meant new operating hours, a new, appointment-based approach to serving our clients, and an incredible increase in the volume of food, diapers, and hygiene kits we provide to our neighbors in need. To put this in perspective – in an average week before the COVID-19 crisis emerged, the Karsh Center would provide about 250 bags of groceries between our Sunday food pantry and mobile food pantry programs, plus serving another 240 individuals experiencing homelessness in Santa Monica through our Sandwich Sunday program. In an average week since this crisis began, we have been providing more than 700 bags of groceries, and up to 5,000 diapers, to clients in need.
As the crisis continues, we’re forced to contend with this unprecedented rise in demand, and with the very real possibility that our normal sources of these essential items will not be able to continue providing them at the needed volume for too much longer. With the generous support of a member of the Wilshire Boulevard Temple community, we are now able to purchase food and much needed household items for our community at The Restaurant Depot!
Frank from the Restaurant Depot gives a tour.
Through the establishment of a line of credit, we will be able to supplement our pantry with products that we cannot secure in bulk elsewhere, ultimately enabling us to continue to provide as many people as possible with the food and other resources they need. In addition, this support for our work is also supporting the work of a business in an industry that’s suffering so much right now from this crisis – every little bit helps, and we are proud to be able to help one another as we continue to help others. Please stay tuned for more information and updates from us in the days ahead, and thank you all for your support.