Volunteers, known to some Chula Vista homeless residents as “Red Bags,” worked with Saint Charles Caritas Project’s Jim’s Homeless Help bagging red onion bags with food and toiletries on Jan. 19. The bags will be distributed to the homeless in Chula Vista’s parks, streets, and to the homeless living in cars, on Jan. 26.
“It’s a credit to Merlyn Baker and Saint Charles Caritas that this program exists,” said volunteer David Wolfe, 80. Saint Charles Catholic Church is located on Saturn Boulevard in San Diego.
“The church is located in San Diego, but next to Chula Vista. Because there are homeless in Chula Vista we go there,” said Baker.
Baker, 61, a cost accountant for SeeScan, Inc. in Kearny Mesa, is the coordinator behind Jim’s Homeless Help, and participates, in part, to honor the work her husband Jim considered important—feeding the homeless. He died from lung cancer in 2013.
“He asked me if I can bag food for the homeless in South Bay and without hesitation the answer was yes,” she said. “My husband was telling me—don’t stop.”
The cost for the food is $1,600, Baker said.
According to Baker the price of toiletries is $400 more for a monthly total of $2,000.
Fifteen volunteers, of all ages, helped to fill the red onion bags at the church.
Baker distributes the food and toiletries every month except December in Chula Vista at parks such as Harborside, Orange, and Friendship. Additionally, they also travel to Tijuana during the year.
The food, canned goods, include tuna, chicken, snack bars, two rolls of toilet paper, soups, five plastic spoons and five cups. According to Baker toilet paper is typically unavailable to the homeless living in parks or on the street. Feminine hygiene products are included as appropriate.
“We will also distribute tarps, blankets, socks, and mittens,” she said.
“Rain, shine, hot, or cold we are out there,” said Baker, “This charity is focused on the homeless, abused women, and poor young children. We are under the umbrella of the church’s 501(c)(3).”
To donate to the combined efforts of Saint Charles Caritas Project’s Jim’s Homeless Help contact the church at saintfrancis2001@aol.com 619-428-0199.
