Lori Gold distributes items to the homeless on a corner in downtown San Diego. (photo courtesy of Lori Gold)
Dedicated to helping others
Scripps Ranch resident Lori Gold could do many things to enjoy her retirement; and she does. Gold has chosen to collect items that can be used by homeless people in downtown San Diego and she distributes these items on the streets in person a couple of times each month. It takes time, effort and even her own money, but she is glad and determined to carry out her mission.
“Human beings should not be living like they are downtown. This should not be that way,” said Gold, adding she made the decision to pursue this cause in November 2017.
“I can do some good. I can collect and actually help people that are homeless and make their lives a little bit easier, a little bit better,” Gold said. “I talk to them. … I give them some information also to help them facilitate getting off the streets.”
Locals drop off items at Gold’s house where she collects them in bins, sorts them and stores them in her garage until it’s time to deliver them. She said a few friends help her before they make each journey downtown to distribute the goods. Gold and her helpers make about 100 sandwiches and prepare drinks and snacks to distribute as well. They distribute them on downtown street corners or at the Alpha Project tent, which houses a few hundred homeless people.
The items include sleeping bags, tarps, blankets, clothes, shoes and hygiene items.
She does not have non-profit status and doesn’t work for an established charity. She’s a one-woman task force doing what she can to improve the lives of the less-fortunate in this city. Gold, who said she has always believed in helping others, posts notices on social media boards such as Buy Nothing Scripps Ranch, asking for donations of items for her cause. Fortunately, many members of this community have responded enthusiastically to her requests, she said.
“I want to thank everyone in Scripps Ranch. They are all so kind and generous,” Gold said.
Anyone who wants to help, either by donating items or money or volunteering to sort items, make sandwiches or help distribute items, may contact Gold at lori.gold@att.net.