Build Coachella Valley Fund grant helps The Center combat hunger

The Community Food Bank at the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert (The Center) continues to generate significant ripple effects in its fight against hunger. A recent grant from Build Coachella Valley Fund via Inland Empire Community Foundation is adding even more forward momentum.

Mike Thompson, The Center's CEO, is quick to point out that the resources will be allocated specifically for the community and the food bank.

"Food insecurity is a significant issue for residents of the Coachella Valley," Thompson says, noting the Health Assessment and Research for Communities' 2022 Coachella Valley Community Health Survey, which identified that one in seven local adults cut the size of their meals during the survey period.

"I think that equates to almost 49,000 residents of our community," he says. "That number represents more than 600 people every week who benefit from the program. The funding will help us with costs to acquire some aspects of the food that we turn around and give out at no charge to our clients."

Every Thursday, The Center distributes food to 300 households from its haven on South Belardo Road in Palm Springs. To become a food distribution recipient, individuals in need are asked to enroll in the program. After approval, they are granted a Food Bank Access Card.

Individuals must be a resident of Riverside County and bring a picture ID, if they have one, during The Center's distribution hours.

Thompson praises the strides made thus far and points out several changes ahead.

"This fall, we will be moving this fall to a new physical space, a larger warehouse that will allow us to serve even more people," he says. "But going beyond food security and hunger relief, what this program actually does is really build community, health and well-being. We're really proud of that because we know that when people get food, and you know that they really have their basic needs being met, they feel more supported and engaged with their community.

"That's really one of our big priorities," he says.

Beyond that, Thompson notes other upcoming changes for The Center, primarily expanding its programming in the East Valley through The Center Coachella.

"We've got a full-time staff of four there [in Coachella] primarily focused on youth, family and transgender services through that site," he says. "We're doing more specialized programming in Palm Springs, giving greater attention to women in our community, seniors in our community, as well as expanding programs through our Scott Hines Behavioral Health Clinic."

That clinic, in fact, is the largest program that The Center provides to the community — approximately 200 client visits weekly.

"But there's a backlog of services in the desert for those needing behavioral health support," Thompson says. "So that's really been a vital program, and we're thrilled we're able to serve our community in that way."

To be sure, The Center has been doing that for more than 25 years now.

Back in 1998, it began as Prime Timers of the Desert, a unique social club of mature gay and bisexual men in Palm Springs. By 2005, with a name change (Golden Rainbow Senior Center), it became a one-room center operating out of Cathedral City. A move back to Palm Springs in 2010 shifted things. So did registering with FIND Food Bank in 2011.

One year later, it became known as LGBT Community Center of the Desert, later to become The Center. The evolution continues.

Thompson points out one topic that may slip under the radar: isolation and loneliness.

"The U.S. Surgeon General and World Health Organization identified the loneliness epidemic that so many folks in our community experience," he says. "We address that every day through meaningful connection. Our food bank connects people to resources. But we also connect folks to a number of other resources."

"Underlining all the work we do at the Center, it really is about meaningful connection," he says. "Because we know that when we connect people to resources and connect people to community, they thrive."

Learn more at thecentercv.org.

Inland Empire Community Foundation works to strengthen Inland Southern California through philanthropy. Visit iegives.org for more information.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Build Coachella Valley Fund grant helps The Center combat hunger