St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church

St. Augustine’s is a historic Afro-Anglican church in Oakland that served as the primary meeting place for the Black Panther Party. Fr. Neil was a spiritual advisor to the BPP. In January 1969, members of St. Augustine’s and the BPP initiated the first Free Breakfast Program for School Children of any kind in the nation at the suggestion of Ruth Beckford. St. Augustine’s continues to feed the people through the One Good Meal program.

GLIDE Feed the Hungry Program

With a historic legacy of radical activism, GLIDE’s programs provide critical support to San Francisco’s most vulnerable community members. Pastor emeritus of GLIDE Memorial Cecil Williams hosted political rallies and provided support to the Panthers. Volunteer with GLIDE’s Daily Free Meals Program in person or remotely and donate to support their work.

East Oakland Collective

East Oakland Collective serves our unhoused brothers/sisters and other vulnerable populations across Oakland including seniors, disabled, immunocompromised, and low income families by distributing food, supplies, and more. Support their work by purchasing supplies, meal kits through Town Kitchen, donating, and volunteering.

Eastlake United for Justice

A neighborhood group with the intention of building neighborhood relationships; creating neighborhood security with alternatives to policing and surveillance; preventing gentrification and displacement; supporting individual families/households in preparing for emergencies; and creating a network of mutual support with immediate neighbors in case of any emergency — fire, earthquake, storm, street violence, and more. Sign up to get involved.

Black Cultural Zone

Since 2014, The East Oakland Black Cultural Zone Collaborative has worked with a coalition of residents, government agencies, churches, and grassroots organizing groups to help keep Black folks in East Oakland. The zone is seeking vendors for the AKOMA Outdoor Market and volunteers are needed for the market, food distribution, and phone banking.

Acta Non Verba - Youth Urban Farm Project

Acta Non Verba: Youth Urban Farm Project (ANV) elevates life in Oakland and beyond by challenging oppressive dynamics and environments through urban farming. ANV engages and strengthens young people’s understanding of nutrition, food production, and healthy living as well as strengthens their ties to the community. Join a summer camp, sign up for a CSA, volunteer, and donate.

The DEEP Coop

The DEEP is a worker-owned grocery cooperative dedicated to restoring East Oakland’s community through fresh organic produce, community education, and cooperative economics, prioritizing the wellbeing of Black, Indigenous and People of Color. Make a donation and sign up for their newsletter as the open to the community.

Planting Justice

Since 2009 Planting Justice has built over 450 edible permaculture gardens in the San Francisco Bay Area, worked with five high schools to develop food justice curricula, and created 40 green jobs in the food justice movement for folks transitioning from prison. Support their work by purchasing from the largest selection of certified organic tree crops in North America at their nursery, transform your yard with their landscaping services, volunteer, and donate.

Phat Beets

Phat Beets Produce aims to create a healthier, more equitable food system in Oakland and beyond through providing affordable access to fresh produce, facilitating youth leadership in health and nutrition education, and connecting small farmers to urban communities.

With a farm at Castlemont High, a youth entrepreneur program making pickles and other treats, and a kitchen incubator program, there are many ways to support. Panther alum Auntie Frances serves a free meal every Tuesday at Driver’s Plaza in North Oakland. Purchase food and catering, donate, and volunteer to support.

St. James Infirmary

Founded in the late 90s and emerging after two decades of activism, St. James Infirmary is a peer-based occupational health and safety clinic for sex workers of all genders based in San Francisco. It is their mission to meet the needs of people engaged in the sex trade through advocacy, direct services, and social justice. A number of specialized volunteers are needed. You can also support by contributing clothing to St. James, items to Community Thrift, and donating.

Urban Tilth

Urban Tilth hires and trains local residents at seven school and community gardens to cultivate agriculture in west Contra Costa County to help their community build a more sustainable, healthy, and just food system. They are also providing a Farmers to Families COVID Relief Food Program. Join the CSA, visit the farmstand, volunteer, and donate to support their work.

The Sustainable Economies Law Center (SELC) and the Mutual Aid Toolkit

Sustainable Economies Law Center cultivates a new legal landscape that supports community resilience and grassroots economic empowerment. They provide essential legal tools - education, research, advice, and advocacy - so communities everywhere can develop their own sustainable sources. SELC offers free and low cost Legal Cafes, legal guides, workshops, and resources such as the mutual aid toolkit. Donate to support their work.

BLOCK BY BLOCK

Block By Block connects neighbors on a very local scale in North Oakland. Building on the legacy of area block club hospitality, Block by Block will form new pathways to share information, resources and camaraderie with people who live next door and down the street.

SELF-HELP HUNGER PROGRAM

With the spirit of the Black Panther Party and Serve the People activities, Aunti Frances Moore provides hot meals on Tuesdays from 2-6PM 61st/Adeline in North Oakland-Driver Plaza.