Community

Good Samaritan Missionary Baptist’s Food Programs Close:

This church has had a rich history of serving the community and the surrounding vicinity for over 40 years. Mr. and Mrs. Roger Rigsby, members of the church, began serving meals from their home to those in need.

Published

3 years ago

September 5, 2021

Isabelle Price

Good Samaritan Missionary Baptist Photo Courtesy of Flickr

It is with a very heavy heart that I must announce that the Good Samaritan Missionary Baptist Church (GSMBC) Food Programs closed on Tuesday, Aug. 31.

Dr. M.D. Slade and the late Mrs. Viola Rigsby combined their efforts and started the GSMBC Food Pantry and the USDSA food distribution programs. Throughout the years this pantry has been a constant source of assistance; providing clothing, food and community holiday meals to everyone.

Dr. M.D. Slade has always been a prominent part of the Vallejo community as well as the North Bay Ministers Union as a senior pastor. He is still always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone or offer his words of wisdom and guidance.

I believe God has anointed me to serve, and I welcomed the responsibility of running both programs in 2016. With much prayer and Pastor Slade’s encouragement, I started by applying for an Enhancement Grant from the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano and through God’s grace we have not looked back.

As the needs of those we serve grew, so did the pantry. We applied for the Solano County Funding Grant and was awarded $10,000 which allowed us to prepare for the COVID-19 restrictions. We remained open during the entire pandemic and served an additional 8,000 more clients than the previous year.

We are also members of the Feeding America Network and Meal Connect which provided amazing donations from Costco Vallejo and Safeway in Glen Cove.

Lastly, (I thank) the volunteers who have consistently supported these programs. I, personally, have been truly blessed by you!!!

Last year we served over 21,000 that were in need.

Dr. M.D. Slade retired as pastor of GSMBC in December 2021 after over 40 years of faithful service to the church and the community. The church membership did not initiate this action! They truly believe the program is needed.

The church leaders, members of the board, have decided to “pause” the programs, with the approval of the new incoming Pastor Anthony Briscoe.

When and if the board decides to reopen, they must reapply and find someone to train and certify the program. The board is confident that they can make it better and welcome the change. The USDA program is …scrambling to find another site.

My heart goes out specifically to the senior and handicapped population that are in close proximity to the church location. We are surrounded by 4 senior housing complexes, as well at least 2 low-income housing complexes.

I feel so helpless now, but God is still in control. He continues to make a way. I have a tentative offer for a site in the vicinity and a definite home under another umbrella to work that shares the vision of serving and welcomes me.

Praise God that my efforts have not been in vain or gone unnoticed. I will continue to serve, however at another location.

The Vallejo Post’s coverage of local news in Solano County is supported by the Ethnic Media Sustainability Initiative, a program created by California Black Media and Ethnic Media Services to support community newspapers across California.

Isabelle Price

Posts by Isabelle Price

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

7 days ago

April 26, 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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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

Oakland Post

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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.