ABC7 News visited Cathedral of Faith in San Jose during its weekly drive-thru style food distribution Thursday morning, which provided a glimpse of the dire need for help in our community.
[Ads /]
EXCLUSIVE: Inside look at COVID-19 surge unit at San Jose's Good Samaritan Hospital
"We've really called our church to be all hands on deck for this," said Pastor Kenny Foreman. "We're going to be here for the long haul, until we get to the other side and then beyond, serving our community."
From SKY7, we saw hundreds of drivers lined up, patiently waiting their turn for pick-up. The church is part of Second Harvest of Silicon Valley's network of 300 non-profit partners in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.
"We have so many people feeling so much anxiety right now and so many people finding themselves for the first time in need of help," said Second Harvest Chief Executive Officer Leslie Bacho.
Across town at the San Jose Armory, real estate developer Urban Community has brought together a network of business and community leaders to help form a new non-profit called San Jose Ship Kits.
[Ads /]
"There's a lot of good people out there that really want to make a difference and we've gotten a lot of volunteers," said Tin Le, a SJSK volunteer and co-owner of SP2 Communal Bar and Restaurant. "We've gotten over $100,000 in donations already in the first two weeks."
RELATED: Coronavirus kindness: South Bay teens use 3D printers to help PPE shortage
The group is now distributing free medical, food, and wellness supply kits to young families and hourly workers impacted by the shelter-in-place mandate.
"They're really going through it and to be able to offer this assistance is truly, truly inspiring for us," said Ashley Pourroy, Urban Community's community development manager.
Project leaders hope to expand their distribution sites in the weeks to come.
[Ads /]
"With the small businesses and the average person on the street calling us, emailing us... wanting to get involved is really a great thing to see, so I'm caught off guard and really happy to be a part of that, even if it's just a little bit," Non Plus Ultra client engagement manager Ryan Melchiano.
To volunteer with the group or to request supply kits, visit www.sjshipkits.com.
If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.
RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:
- Live updates about coronavirus outbreak in US,around the world
- Coronavirus data: See how the curve of COVID-19 cases is bending in each Bay Area county
- Everything you need to know about the Bay Area's shelter-in-place order
- Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic
- Stimulus calculator: How much money should you expect from coronavirus relief bill
- WATCH: ABC7's interactive town hall 'Race and Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation'
- What Bay Area tenants need to know about rent payments, eviction amid COVID-19 outbreak
- Here's how shelter in place, stay at home orders can slow spread of COVID-19
- Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area/
- Coronavirus and the new normal of livingin the San Francisco-Bay Area -- COVID-19 Diaries
- Happy hour goes virtual as people try to be sociable while social distancing during COVID-19 crisis
- Coronavirus Outbreak: Here's why you should practice 'social distancing'
- DRONEVIEW7: What the Bay Area looks like during the coronavirus shelter-in-place
- ABC7's drive around San Francisco shows empty streets, businesses shuttered
- Symptoms, prevention, and how to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak in the US
- List of stores, companies closing due to coronavirus pandemic
- Canceled late fees, free services available amid COVID-19 crisis
- Here's how you can help during COVID-19 pandemic
- How to maintain learning during school closures
- No masks but here are 100+ products that may help protect you against novel coronavirus germs
- Here's a look at some of history's worst pandemics that have killed millions
- Asian community fighting racism, xenophobia, bigotry as world fights COVID-19