Preisker Park homeless outreach program ends Wednesday in Santa Maria

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Volunteers gathered at Preisker Park in Santa Maria on Wednesday morning to offer support and resources to those experiencing homelessness in the Santa Maria Valley.

The Rescue Mission Alliance Central Coast told Your News Channel that the City of Santa Maria is not extending their permit with the Rescue Mission, preventing future outreach events of this kind at Preisker Park.

In a statement, the City of Santa Maria wrote us, saying, "The City’s focus is on providing parks for intended park uses. The City also is supportive of efforts to help those experiencing homelessness through partnerships with community-based organizations. The City did allow the Rescue Mission to use part of Preisker Park however this has come to an end. Another location would be more suitable for the Rescue Mission to provide its assistance. The City has offered and continues to offer to collaborate with the Rescue Mission on a solution, potentially with other nonprofit organizations. Meanwhile, the City continues to expend resources on homelessness and also participate with other agencies on strategies."

“They reached out to us earlier this week and said, there's trash being left behind. It wasn't by us, but we think what what was happening is people were staying after the outreach, after we picked up, and they were trashing the restrooms and, and that kind of thing. And it's become a problem that they're unable to handle. So we're really grateful for them. They they, really made it possible for some lives to be changed while we've been holding this" said Chris Rutledge with the Rescue Mission Alliance Central Coast.

Clothes, shoes, food, health services and more were given out by local agencies.

Crestwood Christian Fellowship was another group present at the outreach event.

Your News Channel will bring you more details about this event live at 4:30 and 6pm.

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