Helping Hands Unity and FoodBank
Kenny Loggins has been a Unity Shoppe supporter for years (photo by Jensen Sutta)
by Steven Libowitz
U
nity Shoppe has come a long tions as the unemployed, single-parway back since a huge gap ent families, seniors on fixed incomes, in its funding forced the non- the disabled and homebound start profit agency – the largest, single to run out of groceries. The Shoppe direct distributor of food, clothing, is servicing increasing numbers of and necessities in the county – into hourly minimum wage residents who briefly closing its distribution doors had never needed assistance before. for two months in the fall of 2019. Indeed, over the next six to 12 months, The nonprofit shut its doors for the Unity anticipates that its services will first time in 103 years due to an unan- be utilized to capacity much like they ticipated economic downturn, and were during the Thomas Fire and both fresh produce and canned, jarred 15 full-time management and staff Montecito debris flow, if not more. and boxed staples with longer shelf employees were laid off while support The Shoppe – which as an essential lives, as well as masks and disinfectprograms were put on hold. service is able to stay open during ing wipes to keep Unity staff and the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County Now, after returning in time for the the partial shutdown – is following public safe. is also experiencing a sharp increase holiday season, Unity is stepping up the most up-to-date guidelines for That’s where Kenny Loggins comes in those seeking its services. Since in an even bigger way than ever as sanitization and safety, and social dis- in. The septuagenarian singer-song- COVID-19 safety measures took the current COVID-19 crisis has forced tancing is being implemented not only writer, who has been involved with effect, the Foodbank has quadrupled area employers to make even more while people are waiting in line but Unity Shoppe for more than three the amount of food it normally pro massive layoffs. also inside the store, where staff mem- decades and created and participates vides to community members facing Laboratory Manager Carole Rollins tests wastewater, Recognizing a deep need for the bers wearing masks and gloves allow in the nonprofit’s annual Christmas hunger and food insecurity, at one confirming it is fully disinfected to kill pathogens and viruses. most basic of services, the Unity people, admitted alone or as a family, Unity event, has recorded PSAs to point earlier in the week distributing Shoppe has consolidated its offerings to choose by pointing at what they encourage donations. 83,000 pounds of food in a single to food distribution alone to meet an would like. “Unity is my baby,” Loggins – who day, a new record that is fourof times Since 1962, the Montecito Sanitary District has been safely collecting, treating, and disposing ever-increasing demand. The agenAccordingly, Unity anticipates that has been living on the Mesa ever since higher than normal. As part of its Montecito’s wastewater. The District’s certified laboratory and operators ensure the protection of the cy estimates it is serving more than it will go through larger quantities being displaced from his Montecito coronavirus response, the Foodbank threelocal times environment the number of families of food and other supplies than ever the home latest when thetesting January 9, 2018, debris hasand also provided 2,000 home delivby continuous monitoring using equipment technology. The that came in for services just in the before to keep up with the growing flow washed out the access bridge – eries to seniors in the last two weeks. District’s well‐maintained facilities and award winning staff serve the Montecito community 24 hours a middle of March, as daily layoffs con- demand. Donations from the public said over the phone on Monday. “I As with Unity, Foodbank is now protinueday, 7 days a week. If you have any questions call General Manager Diane Gabriel at 805‐969‐4200. and such vulnerable popula- are needed immediately to purchase know it works and all the things we viding food and groceries for thousay about it are true, which is why we sands in our community who have keep saying them. Right now, they’re never needed help before, including the best way to get food into people’s contractors, salespeople, construction homes who need it. Unity is always workers, waiters and waitresses, chefs there and has been for 30 years. The and cooks, childcare providers, bardoors are still open and people are tenders, hairstylists, barbers, drivers, showing up in more numbers than artists, craftspeople, and many others. For more information, visit our website at ever. But they need support so they At the same time, however, the nonwww.montsan.org can continue to help people with fresh profit has seen a rapid decline in food healthy food.” donations from many of its sources, so Unity Shoppe Food Distribution there is an increasing need for support. Services is located at 1401 Chapala Meanwhile the organization has wide Street, and is open 1-4 pm Monday- ly increased its distribution network, Friday. If you are in need of food and has a big need for more personnel or other essentials, call Unity’s main help. Twenty National Guard personnumber at 805-965-4122 for assistance. nel have joined the Foodbank for two To make monetary donations, visit weeks to help in its two new tempowww.unityshoppe.org or mail checks rary warehouses, assist at its SAFE “Flushable” and disinfectant wipes and similar products can clog the to 1209 State Street, Santa Barbara, Food Net distributions and deliver machinery in our treatment plant, clog your household pipes, and cause 93101. Donations of nonperishables food to seniors. Visit https://food a mainline backup or sewer overflow on your property. Please dispose can be dropped off at Unity’s side banksbc.org for information on where of all wipes and similar products in the trash. More information on this entrance: at 110 West Sola Street, 10 to get food, how to donate and where topic can be found here: https://casaweb.org/wipes/. am to 5 pm weekdays. to volunteer. •MJ
Foodbank Increases Services
SAVE YOUR PIPES, DON’T FLUSH WIPES!
The Montecito Sanitary District remains committed to protecting your health and the environment by safely collecting, treating and disposing of Montecito’s wastewater. Although the District business office is closed, District staff continues to operate the system with the highest level of service and professionalism, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have any questions, please contact the District’s General Manager Diane Gabriel (dgabriel@montsan.org), or visit our website: www.montsan.org.
PROTECTING YOUR HEALTH AND THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT
36 MONTECITO JOURNAL
MEDICARE ANNUAL ELECTION PERIOD
Concerned?
We Can Help!
Call Us Now: (805) 683-3636
“A champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall.” – Serena Williams
CA License # 0773817
2 – 9 April 2020
