Community Christian Service Agency
Serving over 23,000 residents of San Diego County with emergency food, clothing, and referral services
Newsletter
February 2015
The Sun Will Come Up Tomorrow
By Rev. Jeri Newell-Davis, St. Mark's United Methodist Church
Like many of you, I work with a variety of people all day long. Some are homeless,
some are restless, some are childish, and some are children. Rarely do I come home at the
end of the day without having had an encounter that leaves me a bit unsettled. Did I do the
right thing? Say the right words? Extend enough care without enabling the other? When
you work with people, it is rarely cut-and-dried, black or white, right or wrong. There are
too many variables, too many stories, and trying to discern if the story is real or not brings a
whole new set of questions.
So what do we do? We hope and pray the work we are doing is life-affirming. We
hope and pray that what we do is relationship-building. We hope and pray that what we do
makes a positive difference in the lives of the people with whom we engage, or at a
minimum we've done no harm.
Here is a quote by Harry Truman on which I reflect occasionally: “I come to the
office each morning and stay for long hours doing what has to be done to the best of my
ability. And when you've done the best you can, you can't do any better.” So for those of
you who work long hours doing what has to be done with your best ability: take comfort,
the sun will come up tomorrow, and you will have another opportunity to do your best.
The annual CCSA HUNGER WALK is scheduled for April 25 at Mission Bay Park. Page 4
of this newsletter features a brochure with details of that event and how to get involved
in it. We suggest that you tack that brochure on your refrigerator or bulletin board to
remind you of the Walk
CCSA Mission Statement: The mission of the Community Christian Service Agency, an ecumenical
Christian agency, is to provide emergency services to individuals and families in need in San Diego
County, including food, clothing and referrals, and where practical, counseling to assist in their
transition to self-reliance. (adopted 2/15/10, amended 12/16/13)
Christmas Baskets for 247 Families
On December 18, 2014 CCSA distributed baskets and barrels of food and related items to 247
households. Contents of these baskets were all donations from supporting member churches, individuals,
organizations, and business supporters. The Christmas spirit was palpable during the distribution, with
smiles—and some tears--from both givers and receivers.
Those involved in the distribution included a group from St. Mary Magdalene Bingo, who
provided efficient control of logistics and heavy-lifting. A huge thanks goes to them, and especially to
Matt, Phyllis, Julie, Rich, Mike, Patricia, Bob, Dick, Alice, and Sara—and of course to Connie, Rosario,
Jeanne, and Becki for their basic planning and organization of the distribution. A celebration of giving all
around!
FOR YOUR INFORMATION--
A Story from the Heart....
CCSA Board member Jeanne McAlindin
As I left CCSA (Clairemont) one afternoon
recently, a family of four arrived for assistance. I
heard them being helped and saw two little barefoot
girls with no sweaters or jackets. The girls were given
flip-flops, the only shoes in their sizes that could be
found for them. The family was given food they could
prepare without cooking facilities. Someone had asked
where they expected to sleep that night, and the father
said that they would be in the car—that he hoped to do
aT
day-job the next day and be paid enough for a hotel
room
for sleeping
night. and showering
that It was hard to leave, knowing these facts; my
hear numbers
of how
heart
ached
for them. We all
living
on the
street, how without
many
are
many go
food
or clothing and how many children go to bed
hungry
at night. Having families like this one tears at
the fiber of our being.
As I got in my car, I thought about the comforts
of my own bed, warm shower, and choices for
breakfast. I think I need to put my small complaints
and worries into a box and close the lid.
May CCSA always have what is needed to
respond to those who come to our door. The smile of a
child or parent, the gratefulness of a senior or single
challenged by hard times makes whatever we have to
do all worthwhile. We are all related, you know.
THE TOTAL number of persons served by
CCSA in 2014: 10,024 at Clairemont, 6,587 at
Pacific Beach, a grand total of 16,611. Of these,
4,069 are children. The number receiving
commodities during the year was 8,466. CCSA
received by donation or purchase an astounding
93,802 pounds of food.
QUICK NOTES
According to figures released by the Census
Bureau, one in five children--sixteen million--in
the US were on food stamp assistance in 2014.
This is the highest number since 2008.
(Associated Press report)
THANKS to all those involved in the Bay Park
Food Drive in December, especially to Mary
Anne Augustine. CCSA was the recipient of the
outpouring of donations: 4700 food items plus
some hygiene articles.
Thanks also goes to the manager of Costco-Otay
Ranch for donating 44 turkeys to CCSA; they
were then given to families who had been unable
to receive Christmas baskets from CCSA.
Coming up:
CCSA Annual Meeting-Feb 25
CCSA Hunger Walk--April 25
NEEDED AT THE CCSA SITES
CLOTHING
JEANS, especially sizes 32-36
UNDERWEAR (both men's and women's)
SOX, women's or men's
FOOD
pasta and pasta sauce
macaroni & cheese
canned chicken, canned tuna
canned beans, canned vegetables
peanut butter
cereal, oatmeal
bagged rice, bagged beans
granola bars, vienna sausage
small packed juice, bottled water
Spam
HYGIENE ITEMS
suntan lotion
reading glasses
shampoo, conditioner (regular & small sizes)
soap (regular or sample size)
toothpaste
toothbrushes
razors
nail clippers
lotion
NOTE RECEIVED BY CCSA
The CCSA newsletter has gone green, and a LOT of people have joined the e-mail-only newsletter list. In fact,
MANY more names have been added to the e-mail newsletter list since the last publication. Thanks so much!!!
Paper, money, and time is being saved, allowing more of these to fulfill the CCSA mission with people. To request
e-mail newsletter delivery, please e-mail [email protected] (with attention to “newsletter”) OR follow directions
for e-mail at the CCSA website (www.ccsasandiego.org). Of course, address changes/corrections for hard copy
CCSA newsletters can be requested by writing to CCSA at the address below. You may include your address label
from this newsletter.
Community Christian Service Agency
4167 Rappahannock Avenue, San Diego, CA 92117
Phone 858-274-2271 (Clairemont)
858-272-0163 (Pacific Beach)
www.ccsasandiego.org
We can STOP hunger
Serving
Thousands of
San Diegans
in Need
Every Year
S
U
P
P
O
R
T
C
Providing
C
Food, Clothing
and Resources
S
Since 1972
A
Let’s START together
Community Christian Service Agency
Hunger Walk
2015
Saturday, April 25th, 8:00am
De Anza Cove, Mission Bay Park
Join the fun for a great cause - Stop Hunger!
Festivities, Refreshments & Music
De Anza Cove - 3000 East Mission Bay Dr.
Registration: 7:00am
For more information call (858) 274-2271
or visit: ccsasandiego.org
ImageMaker Graphics - Kelly Nicholl