VISTA: Charity challenges federal food allocation

Angel's Depot says it was unfairly snubbed

By GIG CONAUGHTON - Staff Writer | Tuesday, May 6, 2008 5:08 PM PDT ∞

Susan Hall, founder and executive director of The Angel's Depot, is pictured Tuesday with food that will go to senior citizens in need. (HAYNE PALMOUR IV/Staff Photographer)

VISTA ---- The leader of Angel's Depot, a senior citizens food program in Vista, said this week that a "good old boys network" of religious charities is denying help to North County seniors and giving it to groups that help illegal immigrants.

Angel's Depot founder Susan Hall said that the network ---- the local board of the Federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program ---- had snubbed Angel's Depot's seniors clients, while giving food to dozens of religious charities that served anyone, including people who are in the country illegally.

Scott Suckow, chairman of that board, said the only way the federal program could meet its charge ---- to help any and all needy people ---- was to give food to charities that served everyone, not just specific groups. He said he doesn't know whether the charities that receive food from the program help illegal immigrants, but said it's possible.

Officials from U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa's office said that the congressman believed that Angel's Depot had been discriminated against by the shelter program had asked federal officials to investigate the situation last year.

Issa's chief of staff, Dale Neugebauer, said Monday that the congressman still has concerns, including that many of the charities that benefit from the program are represented on its board.

Neugebauer said Issa has "serious questions about the local (shelter board), in terms of lack of oversight and conflict of interest."

Suckow said this week that the board avoids any conflicts of interest by having board members recuse themselves in votes that directly benefit their agencies.

The federal shelter program was created by Congress in 1983 to help feed and house hungry and homeless people nationwide. It is run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has been sharply criticized in recent years for its performance during disasters like Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The program has a national board in Washington, D.C., but it is run by local boards around the country comprised of representatives from charities ---- many of which also receive the program's benefits.

In San Diego, the board has representatives from the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army, the Ecumenical Council of San Diego County, the United Jewish Federation, the United Way and other groups.

Last year, the board distributed roughly $250,000 in food to charitable groups in the region, but denied the application from Angel's Depot. The Vista organization, founded in 2006, delivers boxes filled with monthlong supplies of nonperishable food to North County senior centers. The senior centers distribute the boxes to elderly people living on $900 or less a month.

Hall said this week she has applied for food from the federal group again this year and wants the shelter program to make up for last year's rejection by giving Angel's Depot extra food, or cash.

Suckow said Monday that the program, which has not yet announced its 2008 allocations, would again insist that Angel's Depot serve "all" needy people to get any of the program's bounty.

Hall said that sentiment left her angry, then depressed..

"That doesn't surprise me ---- in other words, every illegal alien that walks in here and asks for a food box can get one?" she said. "You can't believe how distressing that is. They know there are 50,000 seniors living in North County and we can't even serve them. This is another blow for seniors in need."

Sharon Bailey, vice president of the national shelter program board, said that local boards have the final say in whom they would help.

In 2007, the local shelter board gave food to 37 charities across the county, ranging from Escondido's Interfaith Community Services, to Vista's Catholic Charities St. Francis Center, and Brother Benno's food kitchen in Oceanside.

Hall said she was upset, not only because some of the groups help illegal immigrants, but because many of the charities that received food are represented on the shelter board. Among them, she said, are the Salvation Army in Escondido, San Diego and Oceanside, Jewish Family Services, and Catholic Charities.

"I think it's the good old boys network of faith-based organizations that have been getting this food forever," Hall said.

Contact staff writer Gig Conaughton at (760) 901-4067 or gconaughton@nctimes.com.

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15 comment(s)[-]Go to Top

Bonedog wrote on May 7, 2008 3:40 AM:It really doesn't matter. Just ask Mayor Vance...we don't need more food...we need more taxes!! NO NEW CITY HALL!! And just look at the recipients of the food as reported here...as Barack HUSSEIN Ob ma would say...They're ALL BITTER!!

All citizens wrote on May 7, 2008 10:19 AM:How does Ms. Hall know that all the seniors her organization serves are U.S.citizens/legal immigrants? Does her organization check immigration status before delivering food boxes? This article doesn't say...

Unbelievable wrote on May 7, 2008 10:42 AM:I am still in shock after reading this article! This is an organization charged with caring for the needy and this is the kind of hatred they spread? The policy of the local FEMA board makes perfect sense. Why doesn't the Angel Depot leader step up and be a leader and instead of throwing a trantrum and creating bad press of organizations who work everyday to help those in need. A true leader who has a mission of serving people, would work collaboratively with other agencies to ensure that her clients receive the food they need. Ms. Hall's actions leaves no winners, and her clients still in need. SHAME ON YOU MS. HALL!

Just proves ONCE again wrote on May 7, 2008 12:49 PM:The American citizen is second class to the illegal alien, first, last and always. God Bless Susan Hall for striving to provide for the most deserving among us, the Senior.

socal wrote on May 7, 2008 2:08 PM:We need to take care of the elderly in this country first and foremost. Many have fought for this country and to have them go hungry or to decide to purchase their medicine or food is really a sad situation. No person should have to decide if they are going to eat or live.

jvc wrote on May 7, 2008 3:47 PM:To say that our institutions are powered by a good old boy network is a very serious, malicious and derogatoty
accusation!

Greenly wrote on May 7, 2008 4:13 PM:Thank you Susan Hall for thinking about our elderly specifically. This is definitely a needed program and I wish you the best of luck. I too have noticed the "good old boys network of faith-based organizations".

Bob wrote on May 7, 2008 5:35 PM:Ns Hall is RIGHT ON target. The illegals have FIRST priorty because they are SO NEEDY and everyone else goes behind the line. I am a Senior citizen, perhaps more well off than some and I support your position. FEMA is just another level of Gov't interference in our lives. Perhaps you should request PRIVATE donations and let FEMA and the supporters of the LEECHES do without your largess.
I stand ready to help you help the TRULY needy!!
God Bless you and your organization!

what you expect wrote on May 7, 2008 5:42 PM:The catholic church and their priests preach morality to us yet do their best to break federal laws regarding immigration laws. So do many other faiths but not as blatantly. Yes, the groups mentioned descriminate in ways and that is known by everyone. You angels depot folks need to just say you give to those folks as well, then they cannot deny you. God help us all when we get old in our country.

What is this wrote on May 7, 2008 5:45 PM:Beware of wolfs in sheeps clothing is never more true when reading Ms. Hall's bigoted comments. Try reading the bible Ms. Hall.....God doesn't reward those who discriminate.

leader wrote on May 7, 2008 10:50 PM:Much of this tirade reflects of a disgruntled person who pretends to care. So sad that the irresponsible find ways to cut down people, volunteers and organizations to further their own agendas. Real leaders are not made of this caustic fabric.

Joe wrote on May 7, 2008 11:36 PM:Interesting read...throwing people under the bus. For what reason other than personal attack? I once knew of a vibrant organization that was ruined by allowing these kinds of dispicable acts to weave irrepairable damages.

Lisa wrote on May 8, 2008 4:53 PM:Ms. Hall --

What about someone who is both a senior citizen and an illegal immigrant?

What about senior citizens who have broken laws other than immigration laws? Just about everyone has jaywalked, driven over the speed limit, padded their income tax figures, etc. Do you have a chart which qualifies which criminals are worthy of food, and which are not?

What about hungry infants and children of illegal immigrant parents? They have broken no laws. Do they deserve food?

How do you kid yourself into thinking you are a charitable person? It seems you are more hellbent on denying services than offering them. Look at the spiritual leaders of every major religious organization, including your own. They minister to ALL of humanity, not just an approved list.





SicNTiredNSoCal wrote on May 8, 2008 11:13 PM:Mrs. Hall, you are to be applauded for holding true to your standards of helping American (senior) citizens first. Any charity should be allowed to help what ever group of CITIZENS it deems most needy. Illegals have no rights, yet get better treatment than our seniors. God Bless You Mrs Hall-Keep up the good work!

Move On wrote on May 10, 2008 10:15 AM:Ms. Hall, there must be another way you cna serve your clients and yet not trash other organizations that are doing equally good work. Move on Got dot org should get your name, time for you to pass the reins to someone who has heart for the important work our non-profits do. It's time to MOVE ON MS HALL!

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