The East Oakland Collective

The Food and Supply Distribution Program continued its work providing hundreds of weekly food and meal delivery drop-offs to homebound, economically underserved, and disabled seniors in East Oakland. The program served over 560,674 pounds of groceries including fresh produce, meats, dairy, and dry goods to over 2,670 households representing 9,571 individual members. The organization participated in the City of Oakland Summer Meal Program, distributing 200 meals per week to school-aged children, and hosted quarterly freecycle pop-up thrift store events providing gently used clothing, shoes, accessories, and household items to community members in need. The Homeless Services and Solutions program continued its award-winning Feed the Hood initiative, hosting 4 events where over 600 volunteers from across Northern California distributed 8,000 bag lunches, thousands of hygiene and snack kits, and supplies to over 2,000 unhoused neighbors and economically underserved families experiencing food insecurity. During the cold and wet season, the organization distributed hundreds of warm winter items, and during heavy rainstorms provided emergency supplies including tents, tarps, and rain gear to unhoused neighbors. The organization also distributed 4,800 meals to unhoused individuals through weekly outreach to encampments across Oakland. In partnership with Bay Area Community Services' Keep People Housed Oakland, the organization submitted 93 community client applications for rental assistance and eviction support, and conducted outreach to Black community members for back rent relief, utility assistance, and wraparound services including food, furniture, and mental health services. The Older Adult Solidarity Program, under the Wellness, Resources and Outreach department, hosted 14 resource-rich coffee hours covering topics including emergency preparedness, healthy eating, health screenings, art therapy, and low-barrier exercise. The organization also hosted its first annual wellness fair offering free health and wellness services and resources to community members. The East Oakland SuSu Financial Literacy Academy launched its third year, serving 12 participants including 4 youths between the ages of 14 and 18, advancing participants' financial knowledge and expanding their savings.