Eureka proclaims National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week; local groups outline services

The Eureka City Council on Nov. 5 issued a proclamation recognizing National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week and urging community collaboration on solutions. Council member Katie Moulton read the proclamation text invoking the week’s theme — that "being homeless is not a crime" and that "housing is a human right" — and encouraged residents to support organizations that shelter and feed those in need.

Several local providers addressed the council. Wintchel Dellenbeck, who identified himself as a representative of Affordable Homeless Housing Alternatives and other regional groups, thanked the council and emphasized that resources remain scarce in Humboldt County. “I wanted to thank the city council for the proclamation,” he said, noting the need for continued collaboration.

Jeff Davis, special projects manager for the city’s Uplift and CAPE programs, outlined municipal services including rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, outreach and an employment program. Davis said the city and partners have received about $5,000,000 in grants since February 2019 that helped expand services across the county.

Hannah Ozanian, a volunteer and board member at Saint Vinnie's, described the local free-meal kitchen (opened in 1981) and said volunteers have served nearly 4,500,000 meals. She urged residents to support local organizations, saying many of the most vulnerable rely on those community connections.

The proclamation and presentations emphasized outreach, volunteerism and ongoing countywide collaboration; no formal council action was required beyond adoption of the proclamation.