BTSD: Giving back to the community during COVID-19

Streets of Hope staff distributing meals and clothing to the homeless.

The current pandemic and the restrictions that come with it have not lessened the needs of the most vulnerable segments of our population. For the homeless and other disadvantaged groups finding shelter or having access to food and clothing is very much a daily struggle.  

The Buddhist Temple of San Diego continuously looks for ways to give back to our community even during this pandemic. Recently, a variety of items collected through prior Dana Group and Ecosangha drives --as well as some donated by temple members throughout the year-- were sorted, bagged, and delivered to Rachel’s Women’s Center and Streets of Hope, two nonprofits we’ve supported in the past. We will continue to help these organizations in the coming months. 

Rachel’s Women’s Center provides a safe environment and opportunities for women with few or no resources. Several deliveries of women’s clothing, shoes, purses, and toiletries were made in August and September. 

Streets of Hope focuses on San Diego’s homeless population and even during this pandemic their dedicated volunteers have continued their Monday evening meal and clothing distribution. Two deliveries of clothing and shoes were recently made to this organization.  

It is so uplifting to see that even during this pandemic our Sangha is so willing to give to those less fortunate. Donations such as clothing, shoes, purses, and toiletries can be left at our temple. For other arrangements please email Arturo Rubio at artrubio@gmail.com.  

About Rachel’s Women’s Center  

This organization’s vision is to be an exemplary leader in recognizing the intrinsic value of each woman by assisting women with few or no resources to achieve an improved quality of life, to become healthy, fulfilled, and contributing members of society. 

About Streets of Hope 

This nonprofit focuses on giving hope to those who live on the streets of San Diego and to see the quality of their lives enhanced in every way: emotionally, intellectually, physically and spiritually.