Brown Bag Coalition helps homeless during coronavirus pandemic

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY)- During the coronavirus pandemic, the Brown Bag Coalition is making sure the homeless community is not forgotten and getting essential health items.

Brown Bag Coalition Co-Founder, Maribel Padilla said, "I'm providing soap, and little baggies have toilet paper in it. I'm providing a little hand sanitizing wipes. So they can wipe their hands before they eat the food. Because if we don't provide it they're not going to get it."

Not only do volunteers feed them and provide them water but making sure they're educated.

"Every time we come out here I ask them 'Hey do you guys have a headache, are you guys coughing? Does your throat hurt? Do you have a fever?' Most of them say no. But they need to know the symptoms so they know what to look out."

Ashley Anderson is one of many in the homeless community, who haven't been able to use bathrooms or wash their hands since restaurants have been forced to only provide drive-thrus or to-go orders.

"We don't have sinks. We don't have showers. I mean yeah, it's hard at times."

However Imperial County Chairman of the Board of Supervisor, Luis Plancarte said federal funds are on the way.

"Two of them are right around the $50,000-$55,000. Both through workforce development and other departments to provide some emergency housing and some assistance."

But Plancarte added that it'll be based on priorities.

"First would be those that are already homeless and already being affected by the pandemic. Whether it's with rental assistance or getting them actually a place to stay and then there's additional programs after that."

Plancarte said sanitary stations for the homeless community are also in the works.