“Once a Panther always a Panther” are the words that continue to inspire Frances Moore.
For 15 years, Moore – a former Black Panther member, Moore prefers to be called as “Aunti” – has been the program visionary that kept the Self Help Hunger Program sustainable.
Program volunteers began their meal service in North Oakland at Driver Plaza, on the corner of 61st and Adeline Street, huddled in a circle for a prayer. Moore stands tall with a red Panther kitchen apron and a green bandana.
According to Aunti Moore, the program utilizes the Black Panther’s Ten-Point Program for inspiration “What identifies us is the Number Ten in the Program, because we want land, bread, housing, education, justice and peace for our people, and that is what we pretty much do here,” Moore said.
“…Through divine intervention, I see myself as a servant for the people. Aunti Frances Moore
Moore’s motivation driving her passion is very personal and close to her heart. As a person who has experienced homelessness and drug addiction, she feels that “she’s been there, done that,” Moore said. “I see myself with these people” and “through divine intervention, I see myself as a servant for the people.”
The program started 15 years ago in her kitchen. She decided to use her full Supplemental Security Income (SSI) check – a monthly federal program for elders and people with disabilities – to feed the unhoused people near her North Oakland home on 61st Street.
Oakland has a lot of food deserts where people need to travel by car or bus in order to have access to healthy food. Not everyone has the means to travel. The nearest store with fresh food, according to Moore, is Safeway on College Ave, Berkeley Bowl, or small corner store markets with expensive prices.
[A]ll that you see here is people power, we do the best that we can, we will take care of us.
Aunti Frances Moore
Food is a universal need. One of the things she learned from the Black Panther Party is to use food to organize community. Moore has been candid in sharing that due to gentrification in the neighborhood, it has been a struggle for 15 years. Moore said that “all that you see here is people power, we do the best that we can, we will take care of us.”
The program serves approximately 120-150 hot meals, twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-5 p.m. Sometimes it is supplemented by local partners who bring other hot food to add to the spread. Fresh fruit and vegetables are also available for pick three times a week.
On February 14, the group is planning on organizing a Stone soup to try to get the locals who live around the area to get acquainted with the program and its mission. Another volunteer, Sofia Tudose, who serves as the Administrative director, said that “people who are new to the area avoid the Park because they do not know what we do here.”
Their goal is to get the neighborhood to come out and help with the Stone soup event either by volunteering or making a donation to their cause. They also plan to launch Moore’s latest book about the history of the Self Help Hunger Program on the same day. (Moore previously published “The Making of Aunti: a story of self-determination in Amerikkka”)
Moore was excited to showcase a shed that has the Black Panther symbol as she stood right next to it with a raised-fist. “Power to the People!”
Moore’s organization depends a lot on the kind community support. They are always looking for volunteers who are willing to serve food, or help clean up the park. Their Facebook social info page provides the most up to date information on events and announcements. The organization accepts donations through Paypal Link. Self Help Hunger program is fiscally-sponsored by Oakland Communities United for Equity and Justice.
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