Unity Shoppe (Unity) is offering free food and other essentials to Santa Barbarans who are now unemployed or unable to work due to the spread and impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on our Community. To meet the overwhelming need, Unity has consolidated its offerings to food distribution alone and now estimates it is serving more than three times the number of families that came in for services just 10 days ago. As daily layoffs continue and vulnerable populations — the unemployed, single-parent families, seniors on fixed incomes, the disabled and homebound — begin to run out of groceries, Unity anticipates that it will go through larger quantities of food and other supplies than ever before to keep up with the growing demand. Donations from the public are needed immediately to purchase both fresh produce (fruits and vegetables), and canned, jarred and boxed staples with longer shelf lives, as well as masks and disinfecting wipes to keep Unity staff and the public safe.
Over the next six to 12 months, Unity anticipates that its services will be utilized to capacity much like they were during the Thomas Fires and Montecito Debris Flow. If you are in need of food, call Unity’s main number at 805-965-4122 for assistance. Unity Shoppe Food Distribution Services is located at 1401 Chapala Street, M-F, 1pm-4pm, until further notice. To make monetary donations, go to unityshoppe.org or mail checks to 1209 State Street, SB 93101. Donations of nonperishables can be dropped off at Unity’s side entrance: 110 West Sola Street, M-F, 10am to 5pm.
