How It Started.
In the first quarter of 2020, the devastating effects of Covid-19 started to become clearer. Hospitals around the country were inundated with citizens fighting for their lives. Elected officials in state and local government ordered businesses to close; local businesses shut their doors and countless Americans had to work or attend school from home. As time progressed and reality set in, dozens of my co-workers (myself included), found ourselves laid off like millions of other Americans. Enduring the stay-at-home order and the isolation from family & friends combined with the uncertainty, I began to feel the inimical effects of the pandemic. The day came when I was watching the local news and saw my fellow San Diegans in cars lined up for miles at the stadium for a box of food. The feeling of helplessness overwhelmed me and I realized in that moment that I had to do something.
On May 7, 2020, in front of my home with help from Randolph Welch, Gary Bennett and Mark Newsome I launched the free food distribution program called, Take What You Need. We created handmade signs, set up tables filled with non-perishable food items donated by family and friends. On the first day only 5 people stopped by to select items, more were curious and wanted to take pictures. After seeing our Facebook advertisement we received an invitation from Tootie Nefertootiee to partner with the Boulevard Business Improvement District and we did so in June 2020. We now have a permanent location at Fair@44th and we are providing food to over 1,000 individuals every month.
In an effort to make sure we can help as many people as possible, we have partnered with The Employee Rights Center. The consistent donation of food provided by The Employee Rights Center has helped to reduce costs and prolong the program. We our also proud of our biggest sponsor, The Imperial Court de San Diego which began to assist the program with monetary donations in July 2020.
We have bi-lingual volunteers on hand and each person who walks through the gate is treated with the upmost respect & dignity. Each person from teen to adult are given a bag to fill the bag with food items of their choice. We have expanded or program to include the San Diego Unified School District which now provides ready-to-eat meals during our event to anyone in need. In the last quarter of 2020 we partnered with the city attorney’s office, and we now have individuals completing their court ordered community service along with our team of volunteers.
This program is just the beginning, and one day there may no longer be a need for food assistance on this scale, therefore; I formed the Williams Community Assistance Foundation, Inc. We now have a board of ten talented individuals and we are working to develop additional programs to uplift and strengthen those who are most at risk. In keeping with the spirit of giving our Mission Statement is as follows: “Take What You Need is a no questions asked zero qualification free food distribution event. The only eligibility requirement is your need for assistance and we hope those who join us pass on the gratitude to others. We believe that the foundation of a strong community begins with giving and if we all give, we all receive.”
There was a period of time as a young child where my mom and I were homeless living on the street. We had to depend on a program similar to Take What You Need and it gave us a since of dignity not to be questioned or have to prove our need for assistance. In the development of this program, I wanted to make sure people who need help don’t encounter any roadblocks. The longevity of this program largely depends on help from the community; if you want to donate there are several ways to do so:
1). Venmo: @takewhatyouneedSD
2). CashApp: $takewhatyouneedSD
3). Make checks payable to: Williams Community Assistance Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 635308
San Diego, CA 92163
4). Non-perishable food items can be dropped off on Tuesday’s 9:00am-12:00pm at 4350 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego 92105 (Across from the Copley/Price YMCA)
We appreciate your time, help and support.
Darnelle Williams, President/Founder