SAN DIEGO
As the county eases out of the COVID-19 shutdown and coronavirus cases decline, an effort launched to bring food and water to homeless people during the pandemic isn’t slowing down.
Drew Moser, executive director of the Lucky Duck Foundation, said there continues to be a pressing need to help people living without shelter on sidewalks, parks and canyons throughout San Diego, and the nonprofit welcomes more people interested in helping its 14-month-old outreach.
“Given the need, we saw it as a long-term program,” Moser said, adding that the program’s steady growth has been possible because of the many people who have come forward to help.
It’s hard to miss.
Along city sidewalks in downtown San Diego, in front of malls in Oceanside, sprawled across open areas near South Bay freeway on-ramps, homeless encampments have become a more frequent sight throughout San Diego County in recent months.
Why there are more, or even if the large encampments mean the homeless population itself has increased, is unclear.
The numbers of people on the street could be greater because fewer people have been arrested and jailed for minor offenses during the pandemic. Or maybe people from other states are moving to San Diego after hearing about shelters and services here.
Pacific Ridge students help those in need
The Pacific Ridge School service learning group called Lunchbox, led by Ansley Leung of Carlsbad and Mckayla Proulx of San Marcos, has donated more than 125 sack lunches (sandwich, snack, water or juice and a pair of warm socks) every other week this year to Interfaith Community Services in Escondido. These meals are giving a boost to the homeless and to under-resourced families in the area. Visit pacificridge.org.
ESCONDIDO
Applicants sought for art scholarships
Graduating seniors enrolled in any Escondido-based high school can apply for the 2020-21 Art Scholarship Program sponsored by the Escondido Art Association. First-place winner receives $500; second place, $250; third place, $150; and two honorable mentions, $50 each. Students must fill out an entry form; obtain a letter of recommendation; write an essay; and submit three pieces of artwork (at least one original). Scholarship materials are available from scholarship coordinators a