They were gathered there, not dirty or shabby, and they looked just like everyone else.

“There” was the South Hayward Parish food pantry, and “they” were some of Hayward’s hungry people.

Located in the Westminster Hills Presbyterian Church at 27287 Patrick Avenue in Hayward, week in and week, out for 30 years, volunteers at the food pantry have given groceries to people who have fallen on hard times.

Immediate comparison figures were not readily available to measure increased clientele; however, the fact that business is booming was all too apparent.

“We get about 20 new applicants a month, and it’s continually growing, largely with people who have never had to do this before,” said executive director Betty DeForest.

Understand, by ‘applicants,’ she did not mean 20 more individuals seeking help.

“That’s individual applications, and when I say application, that could be one person or it could be ten,” DeForest said.
According to DeForest, their primary source for funding is a Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) grant, with which they can only purchase food products. The Alameda County Community Food Bank provides much of the food for distributions, and Panera Bread at Southland Mall donates day old bread (rolls, bagels, whole wheat items, etc) on a regular basis.

One would not think the “food only” restriction would have any bearing, but a big basket on the corner of the desk held sample-sized items of personal hygiene. Shampoo and soaps were available for the taking, and a shower was available nearby in the building.

The organizational skills necessary to run this outfit are impressive.

“But we’re also, South Hayward Parish is seven faith-based congregations, five Christian and two non-Christian congregations. They’re all small, and alone we can’t do much, but we’ve been together basically for about 40 years, and we do, for want of a better term, social ministry,” said DeForest.

Their charitable works extend beyond the food pantry.

“In addition to the food pantry, right now, we also operate the day labor center on Tennyson Road, which is one of the largest day labor centers in the Bay Area,” she said.

In addition to jobs, the day labor center provides literacy in English, education in safety training and legal services. Some who hire day laborers, it seems, do not bother to pay after a full day’s work.

“Day laborers get ripped off a lot. Some contractors […] not realizing that in California, we have really liberal labor laws, if you work in California, you’re entitled to get paid,” DeForest said.

“Nobody cares about your status. If you did the time, you get the money,” she added.

The legal service frequently sues in small claims court about fair labor practices, and they usually win.

DeForest proudly proclaims that Hayward has never been a racist city— it’s all about economics.

“Even our gangs are not divided by race—our gangs are territorial,” she almost snorted.

As DeForest and fellow volunteer, Jody Gordon, continued to keep busy by arranging and stacking food around the tiny pantry space. A half an hour before opening the doors, a young woman with two small children appeared in hopes of applying for help.

DeForest’s regret was palpable when she had to turn the young mother away because the family didn’t live in Hayward. With FEMA supplying a significant amount of funding, they had to abide by all regulations.

The scene was heart wrenching. The desperate young mother fought with amazing bravery to keep a stoic face for her children as she turned to seek help elsewhere.

When they opened the door at 3 pm, one client at a time was allowed to enter, while one volunteer verified registration, the other rushed to fill the bags with precious sustenance for a family of a pre-established number of registered individuals.
The food pantry was very small. The entire room measured roughly 9 by 10 feet, some of which was occupied by a pretty good-sized, restaurant type refrigerator.

They were doing a lot of good work, with few people and limited space.

The line outside held about 15 people, with two or three small children playing together, but it was early and there would be many more arriving before the pantry closed for the day.

“We never turn down a cash donation,” DeForest said.