As the shelter-at-home order continues in the state, volunteers are helping another vulnerable population--- the homeless.
Tim Waag, a local volunteer, said he set up a volunteer program every Saturday at Laguna Lake Park in San Luis Obispo to help get meals to the homeless during these difficult times.
“The food bank has actually increased the number of food we’ve been able to get. They have charged us less and more of it is even free than what we used to pay for. They’ve probably increased the amount of food we’ve gotten about five or ten times,” said Waag.
Waag said finding volunteers to help distribute the food has been difficult recently, but despite this challenger, he has still managed to hand out around 300 to 400 pounds of food a week.
Waag has set safety procedures for volunteers that help maintain the safe distances.
“We maintain eight feet from the table. We ask them what they want, we put it on the table, we back away, its all in plastic bags and we ask them to pick up what’s on the table and then back away,” added Waag.
Marianne Bollinger, the founder of Central Coast Partnership for Animal Welfare, said that she is helping collect masks for the homeless, but also helps feeds around 50 dogs that are owned by those who are homeless in the county.
“I think now that the pandemic hit, we all finally realize we are just a few paychecks away from being homeless ourselves possibly,” said Bollinger.
Bollinger said the food donations for the dogs are running low, but those who want to donate can click here.
