Rep. Scott Peters (D-50th District), second from left, attends Interfaith Community Services’ annual meeting Thursday, Oct. 23 in Escondido. (Interfaith Community Services photo)
At its annual meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23, Interfaith Community Services, North San Diego County’s largest social services agency, launched its People for People Fund, a new community fund designed to urgently and directly provide support to individuals and families most affected by recent federal funding cuts and policy changes.
“Interfaith was founded on the belief that everyone in our community deserves to live with dignity and has been a trusted, solutions-oriented service provider in addressing poverty, food insecurity and homelessness,” said Greg Anglea, president and CEO of Interfaith Community Services. “Our People for People fund would immediately ensure that recent policy shifts don’t erase decades of progress and the needs of our local families don’t go unmet. Together with this fund, everyone across our region can be part of the solution.”
The announcement was made before more than 100 community leaders, volunteers and supporters following Interfaith’s Empathy-Building Experience, a simulation that immersed attendees in the day-to-day realities faced by people living in poverty and homelessness. The event was designed to underscored the urgent need for local solutions and inspired attendees to take immediate action. Price Philanthropies’ support is part of its United for San Diego partnership with Prebys Foundation and San Diego Foundation to protect access to food, housing and healthcare for families in need.
The fund’s launch is bolstered by a $1 million matching challenge from Price Philanthropies. Every donation will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $1 million.
The People for People fund will cover food, housing, immigration, case management and healthcare assistance for Interfaith clients. The fund will support those left out of traditional safety net programs, including immigrant and low-income residents in North San Diego County and beyond.
At the event, U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-50th District) emphasized that major funding slashes and policy shifts at the federal level have jeopardized local families’ access to essential care, critical services and basic necessities.
“I’m doing everything I can in Congress to protect our communities and restore funding after the disastrous federal cuts,” Peters said. “I’m grateful to local partners like Interfaith Community Services and Price Philanthropies for ensuring San Diegans don’t lose access to the resources and support they need right now. I’ll be donating my take-home salary from this week to the People for People fund, and I hope others who have the capacity to help their neighbors will join me.”
By reducing Interfaith’s reliance on government funding, People for People will expand the organization’s ability to serve all people in line with its values of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. Last year alone, Interfaith served more than 23,000 unique clients — including preventing nearly 1,600 adults and children from homelessness, providing thousands of meals and groceries, and placing nearly 1,100 adults and children in stable housing.
“To paraphrase a wise teaching from Jewish ethics, we are not commanded to complete the task of making our world better, but neither are we free to do nothing. Many of our fellow San Diegans are facing major challenges in meeting their basic needs for food, shelter and medical care. We hope you will join Price Philanthropies in supporting Interfaith’s People for People campaign to help as many of our neighbors as possible,” said Robert Price, president and CEO of Price Philanthropies.
The People for People campaign will run through the end of the calendar year, with opportunities for individual community members, civic groups and local businesses to contribute. Every donor, regardless of gift size, will be recognized as a Community Champion on Interfaith’s campaign webpage, highlighting the strength of collective action.
Contributors can give any amount online and add their name to the list of San Diego County supporters. Every gift will be matched through Price Philanthropies’ $1 million matching challenge.
Clients seeking support can access services through Interfaith’s centers in Escondido and Carlsbad, calling 760-489-6380or by visiting interfaithservices.org/services/.
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