You are invited to Blue Heart’s family-friendly community party 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. on Nov. 2 to meet inspiring representatives of local organizations.
In this season of gatherings, gratitude and generosity, I want to introduce my city to Blue Heart, a novel network of Bay Area citizens investing in less known, but rising local initiatives. Growing out of the experiences of two Stanford graduates, this non-profit flips philanthropy on its head, creating a pooled fund for giving grants, representing monthly donations from small to large.
I decided to become a member after my daughter, who volunteers for Blue Heart, asked me to go on a field trip to learn about one Blue Heart grant recipient, called Saba, a woman-run food hub located in the historic Oakland Produce Market near Jack London Square.
Blue Heart and Saba volunteers, staff and donors at Oakland warehouse field trip. (Lynne Bosche is fourth from right and daughter Lucy below in front)
On my field trip, I witnessed the ingenious use of existing infrastructure, with boxed orders being loaded into Saba’s van, bound for independent corner markets in underserved food desert parts of Oakland. I also learned the sobering story of how market forces took away the ability of these small but important stores to get deliveries of perishables, at the same time that nearby larger grocery stores closed in economic downturns. Immediately upon walking into a market which works with Saba, I found small refrigerated display cases of appealing fresh fruits and vegetables (ordered by each market) instead of bags of chips and coolers full of sodas. The owner claimed Saba’s support had rejuvenated his business, and he hopes to re-open a long-closed deli counter. He also said he is happy to see neighborhood teens coming in and choosing a banana or apple for an after school snack.
I thought of how most of us in Piedmont do not rely on public transit, so we may take for granted being able to quickly drive or walk to Mulberry’s Market, pick up ingredients for a healthy meal or purchase a variety of tasty grab and go foods. It is good to be reminded that this corner market came into being in 2007 through the efforts of many in Piedmont focused on bringing in a healthier alternative to the previous convenience market which largely offered highly processed junk food and sweet drinks, which of course attracted our children. Strong community support became a win for Piedmont’s well-being.
In addition to Saba, recent Blue Heart grant recipients were the Urban Compassion Project, a highly organized, successful volunteer effort to provide outreach and dignified assistance in cleaning up Oakland’s homeless encampments, another to the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, and a third, to New Light Wellness, serving citizens of Cambodian heritage who are affected by generational trauma.
In this time of increased needs in the Bay Area, Blue Heart makes it easy for members to know money is going to worthwhile projects, without having to do extensive research on our own. Each month 80% of that money goes out in targeted grants ranging from $2,000 to $4,000. In this model, each round of possible grantees is nominated by past recipients, therefore keeping support wedded to grassroots efforts. It is powerful to know that your money makes an ongoing difference, locally and automatically, and the learning continues through receiving a monthly newsletter and with interviews on their podcast, called Think Hopeful, Act Local.
To learn more about Blue Heart, including an informational fundraiser in Piedmont, contact me (Lynne) at zam4510@gmail.com or Eva Orbuch, co-founder at eva@blueheartaction.org.