By Chauncey Bailey, The Globe
The line in East Oakland went around the block.
Single men and hundreds of mothers lined up with their small children outside the iron gates to Allen Temple Baptist Church as long, white Feed The Children trucks parked on the street. Gospel music played on public address system speakers from the parking lot. The line slowly moved forward as each person received a large box of food for the holidays.
For the second consecutive year, the National Basketball Players Association, Feed The Children and Allen Temple Baptist Church, led by Pastor J. Alfred Smith Sr., collaborated with local businesses and community leaders to provide holiday food boxes for 5,000 families at the “Feeding 5,000 on 85th Avenue” event on December 8.
The 60 pound food boxes were distributed between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., a massive undertaking achieved through the efforts of hundreds of participating volunteers, nonprofit organizations and community groups.
Helen Gage was one of the volunteers
“I wanted to help the needy, and there are so many children here,” she said. Maurice Evans of the Detroit Pistons showed up to meet the needy and say thanks to volunteers. “God bless you,” Evans said. “I’m here representing all the players and we want to say thanks.”
To facilitate the distribution effort, 5,000 food vouchers were passed out in advance at Allen Temple.
According to Larry Jones, president and co-founder of Feed The Children, the partnership between the Foundation, NBPAand Allen Temple Baptist Church grew out of discussions with NBPA Executive Director Billy Hunter, who last year called upon Allen Temple Baptist to join the campaign. The campaign has been launched successfully in New York City, Los Angeles, Hattiesburg, Gulfport and Biloxi, MS.
“It was a privilege to serve the 5,000 families who participated in last year’s event,” said Pastor Smith, “and we are honored to have the opportunity to serve them again in 2005. There are numerous families in our community who are in need of basic food and shelter on a daily basis, situations made particularly difficult during the holiday season. This effort will go a long way to support the East Oakland community.”
“The NBA is 85 percent black, so our players have a special affinity to the black community,” said Hunter. “The players are happy to give, because they reflect the community. It’s great to see some joy and happiness among those who are suffering.”
Much of the $1 million in food that was handed out was donated by corporations, Jones said. Sponsors for the food giveaway included Kaiser and Clorox. Horizon Beverages, Everett and Jones Barbecue and The Gingerbread House restaurant - all based in Oakland - helped feed the volunteers.
Attendees included Alameda County District Attorney Tom Orloff and Deputy District Attorney Nancy O’Malley; Oakland City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente; and Sandra Andrews from the office of Congresswoman Barbara Lee.
“20 percent of families in Oakland with children under age 18 live below the poverty level and 27 percent of single mothers also live below the poverty level,” said Jones.
He started his mission to feed the needy in 1979 after a boy in Haiti begged him for a nickel to buy a roll at a time when the U.S. had tons of wheat in surplus bins. “But I could not do this today without the volunteers,” Jones said.
“We live in the richest country in the world, but we have to feed the poor while so much of our nation’s wealth is going overseas to fight wars,” said Smith. “At least on this day, the needy can get hope as we express love and compassion.”
