Donate and Empower Linda Vista Women

According to the American Center for Progress, women are more likely to live in poverty than men and these patterns are exacerbated by race, ethnicity, and age. Here in Linda Vista, women make up 70% of Bayside clients who utilize various social service programs.

Irene is one such client who says, "I like coming to Bayside because of the services that they make available to address whatever need people have."

Food insecurity is a problem that has a disproportionate impact on women. According to the American Medical Women's Association, "Among the women who reported more severe abuse (51% of the sample), the investigators compared recent reporters (abuse in 12 months prior to interview) and past reporters, and found that 35.7% and 26.5%, respectively, reported food insufficiency in the past year. The results of this study presented a principal correlation between food insufficiency and domestic violence."

One of the hundreds of Linda Vista women who have made use of Bayside's emergency food distribution as a means of addressing food insecurity is Thi. She says, "It's very important to have Bayside's food distribution program, especially for low-income families. Without the food distribution they couldn't afford to buy good, healthy food for family and we'd have to eat whatever we could afford."

The challenges that women face are exacerbated with age. For example, a 2021 Census Bureau study found that women 75 years or older were 30% more likely to be widows than men of the same age. This often results in increased emotional, mental, and financial hardships.

Dinh is one of many Bayside seniors who enjoys hot, nutritious meals at Bayside alongside the invigorating company of other community members. Regarding her experiences with Bayside's senior programs, Dinh says, “I would be very sad if I did not join the Senior Lunch at Bayside. I would not have the motivation to eat healthy and nutritious food if I did not join Senior Lunch, too. Coming to Bayside, I am welcomed warmly and taken care of like a family member. My health has improved and I feel more optimistic about life. Thank you, Bayside, for having healthy lunches every day for the seniors.”