The Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa will soon resume serving residents in need in Concord as part of a new initiative approved by the Concord City Council aimed at helping homeless residents access essential services.
City leaders unanimously approved a $1.6 million grant to launch the Concord Mobile Dignity Center, a collaborative program led by the City of Concord and community partners. The effort will bring together Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa, Caminar and other local service providers to offer coordinated, on-site assistance to people experiencing homelessness.
The Concord Mobile Dignity Center will operate weekly from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at First Christian Church of Concord, located at 3039 Willow Pass Road. The site is accessible via Bus Line 15.
The center will provide a range of services including hot meals, grab-and-go groceries, clothing and hygiene support, mobile showers, housing navigation, case management, mental health services and medical care offered every second Thursday. Family shower hours will run from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa is the county’s only provider of daily hot meals and operates five dining rooms along with mobile meal programs that serve thousands of meals each week to individuals, families, seniors, veterans and people experiencing homelessness across the county.
“Our return to Concord comes at a time of urgent need,” said Janette Kennedy, executive director of development and external relations for Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa. “With homelessness and deep poverty rising in our community, this partnership represents not just a restoration of services, but an expansion of compassion, coordination and care.”
City officials say the Mobile Dignity Center is designed to provide integrated support services in one accessible location, combining food assistance with health care, housing resources and other critical services aimed at helping vulnerable residents regain stability.
The program is being funded through the city’s grant along with support from donors, volunteers and community partners working with Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa.
How many people and what demographic utilize this service? That is an awfully nice looking truck there in addition to this expense there will also be the insurance to drive it, maintenance for the vehicle and wondering where the funds are coming for not only this but the myraid of other services described in the article…our roads are literally crumbling, there is trash and weeds everywhere. Crime is most definitely not down and the homeless/illegals/criminals are still loitering/stealing everywhere you look. I think the 1.6 million can most definitely be used better!