Hunger action day was held Wednesday May 22 at the state Capital. The day was a focused effort to promote and publicize bills AB 5, SB 283, AB 309, AB 191, and SB 134 at the legislature and with the public. Here is a quick summary of the bills. AB 5 – Homeless Person’s Bill of Rights SB 283 – Reentry and Job Support (for released prison inmates) AB 309 – CalFresh benefits for unaccompanied homeless youth AB 191 – Strengthening the connection between CalFresh and Medi-Cal SB 134 – No Hunger for Heroes Act James Kinchen and Tim Shadix, policy associate for the California Association of Food Banks. James related to me his story and how SB 283 would help inmates returning to society. In

There is nowhere else in the world I want to live but Sacramento, Calif. Bold statement? Not for me. Let me explain why. Two recent life events have reopened my eyes as to why this place is unique. I’ll get to those in a minute, but first it’s important I define Sacramento. When I say Sacramento, I think of one place: the grid. That’s the area from Old Sacramento on the west to Interstate 80 Business on the east, and from the American River to the north to the WX Freeway on the south. It’s a roughly 900-square block area that contains world-class food, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, art, recreation and businesses. It also has acres of parks, a beach (no, I’m not telling you where),

This Weekend Only: Oscar Documentary Shorts Nominees Two weeks ago, in my regular column, I described the process through which the Oscar-nominated short films are selected. At that time, I reviewed the five animated narrative shorts and the five live action narrative shorts. Those two programs continue in regular release at Sacramento’s historic Crest Theatre. Additionally, this weekend, for two days only, the Crest will screen the five documentary shorts nominees. Shorts, in Academy terms, are shorter than feature films but can still reach 40 minutes in length. This year’s nominees are collectively long enough that the Crest will screen them in two programs this weekend, on Saturday an

With temperatures down to the 30s at night, it's hard to imagine that those without homes live on the street, without a place to go. Unfortunately, this is the case for many. From the homeless on K Street to those taking shelter on the river, there are many homeless men and women who have hit a rough spot, and are in need of support. Every other year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires local communities to perform a homeless street count in order to decipher how much assistance a particular city needs. With over 250 volunteers and 60 formerly homeless advisors, this year’s homeless street count was conducted last Thursday, Jan. 24th. This year, Sacramento St

It's disgusting to witness the apathy and lack of compassion readers have concerning articles published on homelessness. Whether it be in Sacramento Press, Sac Bee, or any other online news media, the countless number of hateful comments people post targeting the homeless is staggering. As a person more qualified to speak with authority on the subject of homelessness, its indescribable to express the feelings that arise upon witnessing such ignorance and tragedy. It's extremely offensive to think and ponder the high likeliness that most of the people commenting on homeless issues, especially those whose crude and distasteful comments only serve to insult and belittle the homeless communit

The city is trying to boot the homeless from a stretch of road under a freeway that has for years served as a refuge for those with nowhere to go. The area – both sides of 3rd Street, between W and X Streets – currently has no parking restrictions, and vehicles park there for lengthy periods of time, according to the city. There are 59 spaces along the section of 3rd Street – which is covered by freeways – and the police department has received multiple complaints of homeless people living in their cars, "creating an unsafe environment," according to a staff report. But it's not so simple, said one homeless man who wished to remain nameless, as he feared harassment from the city. "They'r

It took Cherie Hunt 22 hours and 16 pounds of confectioner’s sugar to make her gingerbread bungalow house. Red licorice bricks and spearmint gum shingles trim the gingerbread house that she modeled after her former Oakland home (which presumably did not have a candy exterior). Hunt’s creation was a winning entry in the second annual Sacramento Self Help Housing (SSHH) gingerbread house competition on Dec. 1. The event was held to draw attention to the need for stable and affordable housing for those who are homeless or in crisis. Competitors were asked to build a gingerbread home that reflects their concept of where the homeless make a home. In the kid’s category, there was a gingerbrea

As Thanksgiving approaches, we're going to take some time to discuss the problems facing some of Sacramento’s least fortunate and understood citizens: the homeless. Nick Miller from The Sacramento News and Review will be our guest today at noon on Sac Press Live to discuss his cover story from last week, "The real face of homelessness." UPDATE: We have a late add on to the chat today - homeless advocate and blogger Tom Armstrong. We may be a bit delayed as a result but will start shortly.  In the article, Miller tackles what he sees as the popular and often false assumptions the public makes about homelessness in the city. You can and should read the full piece, but here are a few

If someone ever makes the statement ''Sacramento is doing nothing to help the homeless'', I will look them in the eye and with certainty say, "Yes it is." Women's Empowerment program has helped hundreds by educating and empowering women who are homeless with the skills and confidence necessary to get a job, create a healthy lifestyle, and regain a home for themselves and their children. They just held their 11th Annual Women's Empowerment Gala. It was packed with over 600 people, 100 of them recent graduates and the rest community members, many of them families and the volunteers who help run the program. "This evening is such a special night," said Lisa Culp, Executive Director. "Ever

Looking to bike for a good cause? Head out to Hagan Park in Rancho Cordova on Saturday and take part in the Underwear Bike Ride – getting exercise and donating underwear to homeless students. “This is a great way to get some exercise, connect with locals and enjoy the last day of our underwear drive for homeless students,” event spokesman Ryan Lundquist wrote in an email. The family-friendly event has the option of two rides: 6-mile round-trip ride and a 26-mile round-trip ride. Riders are asked to bring underwear for students in kindergarten to 12th grade in appropriate styles, and tax-deductible donations are also welcome. The ride is hosted by Project 680, a grassroots volunteer eff

The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency has been awarded the California Redevelopment Association (CRA) Award of Excellence for its successful redevelopment project, the Boulevard Court Apartments at 5321 Stockton Boulevard. The project is the winner in the category of Residential Redevelopment - Rehabilitation. The California Redevelopment Association has honored the hard work and dedication of the professionals working in the redevelopment field since 1996. Each year CRA gives Awards of Excellence to recognize redevelopment projects from around the state that have significantly benefited their communities. “SHRA is proud to share this award with Mercy Housing as the developer o

Francis House Center of Sacramento is celebrating its 41st anniversary. On Wednesday, April 25, 2012, this very important Sacramento agency will host their 21st Annual “Feast for the Streets” Gala, benefiting the homeless organization. This usually sold-out major fundraiser, touted as one of Sacramento’s premiere food, wine and beer tasting event, will take place at the Scottish Rite Center (6151 H Street) from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Even in good economic times the demand for services Francis House Center provides to homeless and desperate individuals and families is high. This year more than any other, Francis House has been overwhelmed with families who in the past would have barely weathere

Local homeless programs received a federal boost Friday with a $995,000 grant from the Housing and Urban Development Department – opening the door to shelter and services for more than 100 additional people this year. "This funding will help us meet our goal of ending chronic and family homelessness in Sacramento,” Ben Burton, executive director of Sacramento Steps Forward, said in a press release Friday. The award is part of $201 million in competitive grants that HUD awarded across the nation for 2012. In Sacramento, homeless programs offered through the city, county and a variety of nonprofit and volunteer organizations are coordinated by the county in what is called a “continuum of

Nearly seven months after a large stand of cottonwood trees were mistakenly removed from a former landfill site at Sutter’s Landing, the City Council approved a $200,000 plan to replace trees and vegetation to restore the site. “This was a bunch of lemons, and we really tried to make lemonade out of it,” City Councilman Kevin McCarty said just before the council voted unanimously to approve the plan. Nearly 200 cottonwood trees were removed from the city’s closed 28th Street landfill facility in September, disturbing the habitat of more than 100 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians that made their home in the area. The cost of replanting and restoring the site will top $11

Press Conference Called in Front of the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center Tomorrow 1:00pm March 8, 2012 – Earlier today news broke that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento, earlier this year, decided that because the new Executive Director of Francis House Center, Reverend Faith Whitmore, supported LGBT marriage rights and the organization, Planned Parenthood, they would abruptly pull their yearly donation to the homeless organization. While Rev. Whitmore was eloquent in an interview with the Sacramento Bee and News 10 of how she took the news when she received the letter from the Diocese, members of the LGBT community, the faith-based community and homeless rights advocates were qu

While canned food drives and holiday donations may bring awareness to the needs of homeless people in the community, the need for donations exists year-round, and sometimes those needs are filled by unexpected donors. For the past 10 to 15 years, Classique Catering – which contracts with the Sacramento Convention Center to provide food for convention center events – has been donating its excess to charity. “A lot of times, there will be events where a company plans on 800 people showing up, and they pay for food for that many, but maybe only 600 show up, leaving us with 200 extra meals,” said Classique Catering General Manager Vickie Housholder. Those extra 200 meals – whether they be i

A line of people patiently waiting for a hot meal on a cold day might be common in some areas, but the line expected in front of Mulvaney’s B&L Feb. 19 will likely be full of the kind of people who are used to being waited on – and the $25 they fork over for a bowl of soup will help those in need. “The $25 they spend for their bowl will go entirely to the kitchens at Loaves & Fishes and St. John’s Shelter,” said Lead Pastor Michael Mervine of the L19 Community Church, which is partnering with the charities and Mulvaney’s B&L for the event. Mervine added that each $25 purchase will pay for a cauldron of soup that can be used to feed 25 to 30 people in the shelters. He said that he, the M

The possible human rights violations of the local homeless was a main topic of Mayor Kevin Johnson’s press conference Tuesday. The conference was held to announce the expansion of Bank on Sacramento, a collaboration between local nonprofit organizations, banks and credit unions, to help people receive low-cost accounts and financial advice. Despite the announcement, the topic of homeless rights were heavily discussed. Catarina De Albuquerque, a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, recently sent a four-page memo to warn Johnson about the possible violation. The current policy of removing the homeless from tent cities denies the homeless safe drinking water and sanitation, wh

Larry Ottoviani officially lost his job after seven years with the 7Up Bottling Company for doing the one thing that helped him counteract the anxiety in his personal life. That one thing was feeding hungry cats. “I love cats and don’t like to see them go hungry,” Ottoviania said. “When I’m feeding cats I can forget everything else for awhile.” Ottoviani had been warned several times by his supervisor not to feed the cats. The official termination notice dated Jan. 4, 2012, stated that Ottoviani violated his “last chance agreement not to feed the cats on company time and/or company property.” While Ottoviani does not deny feeding cats, he denied doing so during company time and on comp

While most families in Sacramento were cozy at home enjoying a traditional Christmas morning with loved ones, a small group of dedicated volunteers braved the early morning cold to participate in the sleeping bag giveaway hosted by Safehaven Ministries of Sacramento. Overseeing the entire event was Safehaven Outreach Center Site Pastor Joe Talancon, the inspiration and driving force behind the concept of a sleeping bag giveaway. “Today has been a blessing,” stated Talancon when commenting on his impression of the event. “This is the first time we’ve had our Christmas morning service indoors,” explained Talancon in reference to the Safehaven Outreach Center which was established at 1400