Activism

Frontline Healers East Oakland Collective ‘Protectors of the Last Frontier’ Extend Food Service During COVID-19 Pandemic

Published

4 years ago

May 21, 2020

EOC member Nicole Bratton distributing fresh meals on 75th Ave. in East Oakland.

Oakland has experienced high rates of displacement and gentrification of Black neighborhoods, and deep East Oakland is where the largest population of Black residents reside.

According to the 2010 U.S Census data, approximately 109,862 people live in deep East Oakland that encompasses city districts 6, 7, and part of 5, an area severely underserved, and one that suffers from long-standing disinvestment and lack of resources.

East Oakland Collective’s purpose is to get ahead of the curve of gentrification, prevent further displacement, and stabilize Black neighborhoods.

East Oakland Collective (EOC) is a member-based community organization, which is part of a consortium of more than 25 agencies called Frontline Healers, which serves communities of deep East Oakland by working towards racial and economic equity.

“Prior to COVID-19 we were already a front line rapid response agency, providing food, supplies and advocacy primarily in East Oakland,” said EOC Founder and Executive Director Candice Elder. “Since COVID-19, we had to re-imagine our programs. People throughout Oakland now need our service.”

Unfortunately, at a time when the need is greatest, EOC lost its food source, Elder explained.

“We relied on food donation from Silicon Valley caterers whose businesses have been impacted. Their loss of business caused us the loss of access to those caterers.”

EOC could no longer do its Feed the Hood and weekly hot meal distribution programs where hundreds of volunteers provided 3,000 bag lunches every six weeks and 400 hot meals every week.

“COVID-19 changed that paradigm, so we started over with one restaurant making donations — Aburaya, Japanese Fried Chicken — then more restaurants starting donating until EOC was invited to pick up food from the Community Food Kitchen program started by Lucas Tap Room. For Gov. Newsom’s first 45-day, shelter-in-place orders, we were picking up and serving food every day.

“We are now extending our services across Oakland by providing thousands of hot lunches in addition to (Personal Protection Equipment) kits,” Elder said.

EOC has expanded its service base and now serves people with compromised immune systems, low-income families of color and seniors.

EOC provides over 1,000 meals a week to over 500 residents. They deliver Monday through Friday to unhoused brothers and sisters and do door-front delivery Monday, Tuesdays and Thursdays to seniors and families that don’t have transportation.

If people wish to pick up at the EOC office they may do so from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 7800 MacArthur Blvd.

EOC also provides diapers, baby food, hygiene and household supplies.

EOC is supporting an emergency shelter program that is currently providing hotel rooms for over 30 seniors and families.

Elder says “We hope the community will join us in stabilizing Oakland’s most vulnerable populations, our no-to-low income brothers and sisters.”

Oaklanders who wish to assist EOC can visit the main page of their website at www.eastoaklandcollective.com for donation options. For more information Email info@eastoaklandcollective.com or call 510-990-0775.

Tanya Dennis

Posts by Tanya Dennis

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of May 8 – 14, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May May 8 – 14, 2024

Published

5 days ago

May 10, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

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Activism

S.F. Black Leaders Rally to Protest, Discuss ‘Epidemic’ of Racial Slurs Against Black Students in SF Public School System

Parents at the meeting spoke of their children as no longer feeling safe in school because of bullying and discrimination. Parents also said that reported incidents such as racial slurs and intimidation are not dealt with to their satisfaction and feel ignored.

Published

1 week ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church. Photo courtesy Third Baptist Church.

By Carla Thomas

San Francisco’s Third Baptist Church hosted a rally and meeting Sunday to discuss hatred toward African American students of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church, along with leadership from local civil rights groups, the city’s faith-based community and Black community leadership convened at the church.

“There has been an epidemic of racial slurs and mistreatment of Black children in our public schools in the city,” said Brown. “This will not be tolerated.”

According to civil rights advocate Mattie Scott, students from elementary to high school have reported an extraordinary amount of racial slurs directed at them.

“There is a surge of overt racism in the schools, and our children should not be subjected to this,” said Scott. “Students are in school to learn, develop, and grow, not be hated on,” said Scott. “The parents of the children feel they have not received the support necessary to protect their children.”

Attendees were briefed last Friday in a meeting with SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne.

SFUSD states that their policies protect children and they are not at liberty to publicly discuss the issues to protect the children’s privacy.

Some parents said they have removed their students from school while other parents and community leaders called on the removal of the SFUSD superintendent, the firing of certain school principals and the need for more supportive school board members.

Community advocates discussed boycotting the schools and creating Freedom Schools led by Black leaders and educators, reassuring parents that their child’s wellbeing and education are the highest priority and youth are not to be disrupted by racism or policies that don’t support them.

Virginia Marshall, chair of the San Francisco NAACP’s education committee, offered encouragement to the parents and students in attendance while also announcing an upcoming May 14 school board meeting to demand accountability over their mistreatment.

“I’m urging anyone that cares about our students to pack the May 14 school board meeting,” said Marshall.

This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.

Oakland Post

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Activism

Oakland Ambassadors Strengthen Ties and Aid Efforts in Ghana

Oakland natives and esteemed members of the African American Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG), Jonathan P. Jones and Dr. Maritony Efua Jones, recently embarked on a significant journey to Ghana as guests of the World Martial Authority Ghana. This trip signifies a crucial opportunity to bolster partnerships, explore new avenues of collaboration, and contribute to impactful initiatives in Ghana.

Published

1 week ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Elder Jorg Klebingat, Flint Mensah, Richard Burton, H.E. Dr. Maritony Jones, Amb. Jonathan Jones, Elder S. Gifford Nielsen, Elder Alfred Kyungu. Courtesy photo.

By Post Staff

This trip signifies a crucial opportunity to bolster partnerships, explore new avenues of collaboration, and contribute to impactful initiatives in Ghana.

Upon their arrival at Katota Airport in Accra, Ghana, the Joneses were warmly received by His Royal Majesty Okatakyie Asafo Boakye III, the distinguished king of Sanzule Kingdom in the Eastern Nzema, and Etse Nyamedi of World Martial Authority, Ghana.

Nyamedi accompanied the Joneses to the city of Mepe, which had recently experienced flooding, to assess damages and engage with local leaders, elders, and youth regarding the city’s urgent needs after major floods last fall.

Key concerns and priorities identified by the community include comprehensive flood mitigation measures, agricultural support, housing initiatives, educational enhancements, improved healthcare access, and the development of communal recreational spaces.

The Joneses were also graciously invited to meet with leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at their headquarters in Accra. This meeting provided insights into ongoing humanitarian efforts in Ghana and explored avenues for collaboration to further assist Ghanaian communities.

The LDS leaders shared their prompt response to the recent flood, demonstrating their commitment to humanitarian aid by dispatching substantial supplies including medical provisions, sanitation items, blankets, and food to assist flood victims just four days after the disaster.

Additionally, Boakye extended a special invitation to the Joneses to his palace, where they were pleasantly surprised with a heartfelt recognition ceremony. Maritony Jones was honored as the Queen Mother of the Sanzule Kingdom in acknowledgment of her dedicated work, while Jonathan Jones was lauded and welcomed as the ambassador of the Sanzule Kingdom, symbolizing a meaningful homecoming to their ancestral land.

The visit not only strengthens ties between Oakland and Ghana but also underscores the collaborative spirit and commitment to meaningful progress and humanitarian endeavors shared by all involved parties.