City councilmember Donna Frye breaking bread at community picnic

Join us for a community picnic on Sunday, October 12, 2008, from Noon to 4 p.m. in Balboa Park (6th Ave north of Laurel Street).  This year’s theme is “Local Voices for Community Solutions” to poverty and homelessness.

At the picnic, we’re gathering our members, families and friends to break bread with our homeless neighbors; hear great speakers like long-time homeless advocate Congressman Bob Filner, street guru “Waterman” David Ross, and Shakti Rising’s Shannon Thompson; enjoy performances by local artists including our own Corina Rose, Terry Matsuoka, the Super Sonic Samba School, and DJ Quist; and participate in family games.  The League of Women Voters will be registering voters for the upcoming elections to get out the “street vote” and we will hold small group “story circles” about the issues particularly affecting the poor and homeless in our community.

Your $10 minimum donation will provide BBQ lunch for you and a person in need.  Every penny raised will go directly toward keeping folks warm on San Diego’s streets this winter.  We’re raising money for our winter survival backpacks, which will be loaded (as they have the past 2 winters) with sleeping bags or fleece blankets, knit caps, gloves, socks, ponchos, toiletries, water, non-perishable foods, and laminated resource and phone cards to put people on the streets in contact with people who can help them get back on their feet.  This year, we are adding GTT baby bags — homemade bags with baby wipes, pacifiers, infant bibs, infant socks, receiving blanket, wash cloths, baby bottles, cream or ointment, baby wash/shampoo and onesies for expectant or new mothers.

Co-sponsoring organizations include Foundation for Change, Shakti Rising, Lotus Outreach, The Resolved Church, the League of Women Voters, Progressive San Diego, and the Isaiah Project.  We’re looking for volunteers to help get the word out on the street and lend a helping hand on the day of, whether it’s flipping burgers (veggy too!), registering voters, or helping to clean up afterwards.  Working together, we can create community-based solutions to poverty and homelessness!

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE TO THE GTT COMMUNITY PICNIC! 

Downloadable 2008 Picnic Flyer

Our monthly meeting is next Thurs., Sept. 18th at 7 pm at Audra’s home, 3450 2nd Ave, Unit 25, San Diego 92103 (in Hillcrest/Banker’s Hill at corner of 2nd and Upas).  We’ll be discussing issues facing low-income seniors in San Diego, and Melinda Bell (volunteer coordinator) from Jewish Family Service will speak about the challenges for elderly as they struggle to make ends meet.  With loved ones gone or living across the country, they are often forgotten by the community they live in.  Melinda will discuss some programs that the JFS has to serve San Diego seniors, and we will discuss/brainstorm ways that GTT can help out in our community.  Bring food or drink to share, or even just your thoughts and ideas!

Please rsvp by emailing us at girlsthinktank@gmail.com if you’re planning to attend so we can plan accordingly.  If you need directions, call Audra at 619.793.4668.

Our monthly meeting is next Thurs., Sept. 18th at 7 pm at Audra’s home, 3450 2nd Ave, Unit 25, San Diego 92103 (in Hillcrest/Banker’s Hill at corner of 2nd and Upas).  We’ll be discussing issues facing low-income seniors in San Diego, and Melinda Bell (volunteer coordinator) from Jewish Family Service will speak about the challenges for elderly as they struggle to make ends meet.  With loved ones gone or living across the country, they are often forgotten by the community they live in.  Melinda will discuss some programs that the JFS has to serve San Diego seniors, and we will discuss/brainstorm ways that GTT can help out in our community.  Bring food or drink to share, or even just your thoughts and ideas!

Please rsvp by emailing us at girlsthinktank@gmail.com if you’re planning to attend so we can plan accordingly.  If you need directions, call Audra at 619.793.4668.