Fear losing its grip

At the start of the week, there was a heaviness hanging in the air. We noticed what was happening. Our neighbors were staying inside and the neighborhood felt still. There was a shift that’s hard to name, but we understood it. Given the political climate, families were feeling fear and many weren’t going out, even for groceries.

So we started organizing. I reached out to South County Outreach to ask if food was available. Once we had that confirmed, we moved quickly. We called, texted, emailed, and knocked on doors, reaching out to our volunteers to ask if they could help us pull together a food distribution on such a short notice. They said yes.

By Thursday morning, we had everything in place. We packed grocery bags, organized routes, and opened up space for walk-ups and deliveries. Resident leaders were there. Teens from the neighborhood stepped in. Volunteers from our partners at WAVE and Great Opportunities, showed up ready to work.

Some unloaded. Some packed. Some drove. Others helped keep things calm and organized at the entrances. By the end of the day, we had served 100 families. 

I’ve been trying to find the right words for what I witnessed. This food distribution was community coming together and fear losing its grip.


Sarah Arce
Elementary Coordinator