So many people in need, and our local service organizations are overwhelmed with requests. On top of the individual and business needs related to the pandemic, some of our long-time waterfront businesses were decimated by fire. Here are some recommended San Francisco and Bay Area groups that can benefit from our donations.

Local Groups in Need—in our Neighborhood

• SF Fishing Fleet Fire Recovery  (goal $1 million)

A fire destroyed Pier 45, Shed C on May 23 at Fisherman’s Wharf. While fortunate not to lose any lives, San Francisco fishing men & women have lost millions of dollars in fishing gear (mostly un- or underinsured)—approximately 2/3 of the capacity to harvest the fresh seafood that is delivered to San Francisco and the essence of our livelihoods. The Crab Boat Owners Association (since 1958) is asking for our help. Donated funds will provide direct assistance to fishing men and women so that we can reequip our fishing businesses with the gear necessary to continue working and bringing fresh seafood to San Francisco.

• North Beach Citizens

As a frontline service provider in North Beach, North Beach Citizens have seen a 60% increase in people seeking help—distributing 3 times more food to the community than this time last year through daily meals “to-go,” and Wednesday Community Food Pantry. They also put homeless people to work in their street beautification program. As a beacon of support for the neighborhood — they ensure that people who are living close to the margins know that they are part of a caring community and connected to support. Check out their Fund-a-Need list which includes a COVID19 Lifeline program.

San Francisco & Bay Area Non-Profits—focused on Pandemic Needs

• Give to SF City COVID-19 Response

The City and County of San Francisco can accept tax-deductible monetary contributions for the City’s COVID-19 outbreak response efforts which go to providing shelter, food and other assistance to individuals, families, small businesses, and nonprofits in San Francisco. See Report of funds received and disbursed as of 6/12/20.

• Chronicle Season of Sharing—COVID19 Response 

This fund has operated for 34 years, usually during the November-December holidays but now has expedited over $1.9 million in emergency assistance funds to Bay Area county partners to be used for housing and critical family needs related to this pandemic. Thanks to the support of the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund and the San Francisco Chronicle, every dollar donated goes towards our neighbors in need.

• SF-Marin Food Bank

Every $1 donated provides 2 meals for SF people in need.

• Meals on Wheels

The only San Francisco organization offering two home-delivered meals a day, 7 days a week, nutritionally tailored to meet the dietary needs of seniors.

• La Cocina

A Mission District organization that supports low-income food entrepreneurs as they formalize and grow their business. A community of talented entrepreneurs believes that given the right resources, they can create self-sufficient businesses that benefit themselves, their families, their community, and the whole city.

Other San Francisco Charities

• List of San Francisco-centered charities
• The San Francisco Foundation (Large general purpose and donor directed foundation)
• You can also consult Charity Navigator to find effective non-profit causes
• Want volunteer opportunities? Check out Californians For All

The San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) is holding a meeting tonight on downtown congestion pricing. Interested community members are encouraged to attend. It remains unclear how a pricing plan would apply to residents within the congestion zone.

Virtual Policy Advisory Committee Meeting 
Thursday, June 25
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
See agenda and meeting materials

Background 
SFCTA is conducting a study to explore how a fee to drive into downtown/SoMa during busy hours could get traffic moving, increase street safety, clean the air, and make our transportation system more equitable. This is a strategy called congestion pricing. Through early 2021, SFCTA will partner with community members to shape and assess various scenarios for what a downtown congestion pricing program could look like. A final recommendation is expected to be presented to the SFCTA board for consideration in early 2021.

Ways you can get involved

• Visit SFCTA’s blog for a spring 2020 update.
  This spring, the Policy Advisory Committee adopted the Goals and Metrics for the study, and SFCTA is analyzing how various congestion pricing scenarios would meet the study’s goals and success metrics. Learn more.
• Watch a 15-minute presentation.
  Watch a 15-minute overview from project manager Colin Dentel-Post.
• Visit the SFCTA website to learn about congestion pricing.
  The congestion pricing project webpage features updates and opportunities to get involved.
• Stay tuned via email.
  Sign up for email updates here.

Reach out to the project team if you have questions: congestion-pricing@sfcta.org.

Yesterday Mayor London Breed declared a local emergency and imposed a curfew following incidents of looting and vandalism in the wake of local protests over the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. Supervisor Aaron Peskin’s office has reached out to the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association to reassure us of efforts to maintain public safety as well as to protect civil liberties. Here is a summary of his message:

“I know that this has been an incredibly challenging time for everyone, with COVID-19 shining a bright light on the long-existing inequities in our society. There are many in our community who are hurting, and struggling with everything from food insecurity, homelessness, mental and physical health, and societal ills such as racism and xenophobia. Our office wants to acknowledge all of this, extend our support for the ongoing work to address these issues and reiterate that we’re here to help in whatever ways that we can.”

Supervisor Peskin spent Sunday touring District 3 with Central Station SFPD Captain Robert Yick to check in with small business owners and assess damage from Saturday’s events. With a handful of exceptions along the Polk Street corridor and Fisherman’s Wharf, as well as several jewelry stores on Grant Avenue in Chinatown, the majority of vandalism and thefts were confined to Union Square. “We were able to assist with the necessary clean-up, and Supervisor Peskin has been coordinating a response and public safety plan for [Sunday night] with SFPD, SFFD, the Port and staff at the respective Community Benefit Districts. Everyone’s top priority is public safety.” Supervisor Peskin has also been in touch with St. Francis Memorial Hospital and Chinese Hospital to ensure there is a plan in place for patients and staff, including access to prescriptions and medication in light of the damage to many Walgreens stores.

Supervisor Peskin’s office continues to be a resource for constituents.  If you need masks, hand sanitizer, are having trouble accessing food or healthcare, or want to be connected to community health and wellness services, please contact Supervisor Peskin’s office at (415) 554-7450.

Lastly, “if you are out in the streets in the days ahead fighting the good fight and exercising your First Amendment right to protest the inequities ravaging our community, please be safe and look out for each other.” We are all in this together.