Sacramento Homeless blog

Oprah Winfrey. An article in today's Bee and in the Bee blog 21Q tells us that Oprah Winfrey was in Sacramento "taping scenes [for her TV show] at Loaves & Fishes and other agencies serving the homeless" on Feb 11, 12 and 13. The episode, that is not solely about conditions in Sacramento, is scheduled to be aired next week. A publicist for Winfrey's production company is quoted saying, "We're going to be showing viewers the real face of the recession." Besides Loaves & Fishes, the article tells us "[the film] crew also looked at the Mustard Seed School, Volunteers of American, the 100-tent homeless encampment [known as the Wasteland] and the St. John's Women's Shelter." Bee's 21Q blog promises to give us the air date of the episode that will include Sacramento scenes when it is scheduled. UPDATE 2/20/09: The Bee now tells us the "upcoming episode of 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' will feature a family that was l...

Toys and clothing for children are sought by Mustard Seed School , a free, private school for kids 3 to 15 years of age. Mustard Seed is located within the Loaves & Fishes facility on No. C St. in Sacramento. Mustard Seed was established two decades ago to meet the needs of children who have been out of school, or denied school, because of homelessness. According to text at the school’s webspace, “Many homeless children are not enrolled in school because the places their families find to sleep are often not near a school and the family [plans to be where they are for only] a short time. Sometimes the [available public] school needs an address or updated immunizations which homeless families cannot provide.” Other reasons a child might be denied school enrollment are because of the lack of a birth certificate or other essential documentation. From fifteen to thirty-five children may attend the school each day, with an average stay of just three to four weeks. Prime donation suggesti...