>> SUPPORT FOR "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT"IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> COMING UP NEXT ON "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT," THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS THIS WEEK VOTED TO PUT A 1% SALES AND USE TAX ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT TO RAISE MONEY FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE.

ALSO, WE SIT DOWN WITH JAIME DOYLE AND CARRIE DONAHUE FROM HUMBOLDT SOUPS ON, A NEW GRASSROOTS NONPROFIT DEDICATED TO FEEDING ARCATA'S HOMELESS, ABOUT HOW THEY SIMPLY DECIDED THEY WERE READY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

COMING UP NOW ON "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT".

LIVE CC BY ABERDEEN CAPTIONING 800-688-6621 WWW.ABERCAP.COM FROM THE TOP OF HUMBOLDT HILL, THIS IS "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT."

I'M JAMES FAULK.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

IN AN AGE DOMINATED BY THE INFLATION OF EGOES ACROSS THE BOARD, AND RESULTING OBSESSION WITH WHAT WE ALL THINK, ALL THE TIME, IT'S TRULY A RARE THING IN POLITICS WHEN SOMEONE MAKES A DECISION BASED ON WHAT'S RIGHT.

AS A NATION OVER THESE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, WE'VE BEEN CAREENING TOWARD WHAT SEEMED LIKE A BLEAK CHOICE BETWEEN TWO OLD MEN WHO WERE ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED OF THEIR OWN WORTH AND THE DEARTH OF TALENT TO BE FOUND ANYWHERE ELSE.

THEY WEREN'T IDENTICAL, BY ANY MEANS, THEIR RESPECTIVE PLANS FOR THIS COUNTRY WERE ABSOLUTELY DIFFERENT IN COUNTLESS WAYS.

YET BOTH CANDIDATES PROMISED A PRESIDENCY THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ROOTED IN THE SAME GENERATIONAL POINTS OF VIEW, AGING PERSPECTIVES THAT HAVE ONLY GROWN MORE OUT OF STEP IN RECENT YEARS WITH THE VIEWS SHARED BY MANY, MANY AMERICANS.

IN THE FACE OF THOSE FACTS, AND LIKELY CONSIDERING HIS OWN SLOWLY DETERIORATING PERFORMANCE AS WELL AS THE INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS OPPOSITION FROM FOLKS IN HIS OWN PARTY, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN THIS PAST WEEK DECIDED TO FOREGO RE-ELECTION AND PASS THE BATON TO A YOUNGER DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE.

HE HAS ENDORSED VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS, AND THOUGH THE PARTY HAS YET TO CHOOSE, IT SEEMS VERY LIKELY THAT THE NOMINATION WILL BE HERS FOR THE TAKING.

WE'LL SEE HOW THE POLITICS TURN OUT.

WE'LL ALL SOON BE INUNDATED, MORE THAN WE ALREADY ARE, WITH ELECTION COVERAGE AND THE RESULTING AVALANCHE OF MEMES AND DIATRIBES THAT HAVE COME TO DEFINE PUBLIC DISCOURSE TODAY.

BUT I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO APPRECIATE BIDEN'S ACT OF BOWING OUT, AND MOVING ASIDE, FOR THE GOOD OF HIS COUNTRY.

IT TAKES A CERTAIN KIND OF PERSON TO SEEK THE PRESIDENCY, AND TO BELIEVE THAT THEY, AMONG HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF AMERICANS THAT ARE THE BEST-SUITED TO LEAD.

SUCH CONFIDENCE CAN'T HELP BUT BORDER ON ARROGANCE, AND AS WE'VE OFTEN SEEN, SUCH AN EGO WILL ALMOST NEVER WILLINGLY ACCEPT ANYTHING LESS THAN ABSOLUTE SUPREMACY.

NOT JOE BIDEN.

HE COULD HAVE KEPT FIGHTING.

HE WOULD HAVE WON THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION, AND VERY LIKELY FOUR MORE YEARS AS THE MOST POWERFUL HUMAN BEING ON THE PLANET.

HIS OPPONENT WAS OF SIMILAR AGE, SO THE CONTRAST WASN'T AT ISSUE, AND HE'd ALREADY RAISED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO FUND HIS RE-ELECTION.

INSTEAD, HE HEARD THE CHORUS OF VOICES ASKING FOR NEW LEADERSHIP, FRESH PERSPECTIVE, AND SO MADE A DECISION FOR THE GOOD OF EVERYONE ELSE.

WITH THIS ACT, HE'S CEMENTED HIS LEGACY AS A PUBLIC SERVANT WHO ABSOLUTELY PUT HIS DUTY BEFORE HIS PRIDE.

I APPLAUD HIM FOR SETTING THAT KIND OF EXAMPLE IN THIS MOMENT OF RABID POLITICS AND AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE.

WAY TO GO, JOE.

NOW, THE NEWS.

THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON TUESDAY VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO PLACE A 1% SALES AND USE TAX BEFORE VOTERS IN NOVEMBER.

THE PROCEEDS FROM THIS NEW LEVY WOULD GO PRIMARILY TOWARD ADDRESSING THE SAD CONDITION OF MANY COUNTY ROADS, WHICH ACCORDING TO STAFF, SUFFER FROM HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DEFERRED ROAD MAINTENANCE.

STAFF POINTED OUT TO THE BOARD THAT OVER THE PAST THREE DECADES, THE STATE GOVERNMENT HAS REPEATEDLY REDIRECTED FUNDS AWAY FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, INCLUDING SOME $500 MILLION IN PROPERTY TAX REVENUES.

ASSISTANT COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER SEAN QUINCY TOLD THE BOARD THAT LAST YEAR ALONE THOSE REDIRECTIONS COST THE COUNTY $25 MILLION.

AS NATURAL DISASTERS BECOME MORE AND MORE COMMON, DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE, THE LACK OF ROAD FUNDS HAS BECOME A CRITICAL ISSUE.

THE PROPOSED TAX WILL NEED TO BE APPROVED BY 50% OF VOTERS PLUS ONE TO PASS.

POLLING NUMBERS, MEANWHILE, HAVE INDICATED HIGH LEVELS OF SUPPORT.

AS WITH MEASURE Z, THIS NEW TAX WILL BE OVERSEEN BY A COMMITTEE MADE UP OF REGULAR CITIZENS TO ENSURE THE COUNTY FOLLOWS THROUGH ON PROMISES MADE.

THE BALLOT LANGUAGE DID INCLUDE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AS ONE POTENTIAL EXPENDITURE OF THE GENERATED REVENUE.

>> YOU KNOW, THERE IS AN OLD ADDAGE, AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE.

I THINK THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HERE.

ACCORDING TO STATE DATA, THE AVERAGE CAR OWNER IS SPENDING $900 A YEAR ON CAR REPAIRS, TIRES, SHOCKS, YOU NAME IT, DUE TO THE POOR CONDITION OF ROADS.

WE KNOW THAT WHEN YOU GET A BRAND NEW SET OF TIRES AND YOU HIT A BIG POTHOLE, SUDDENLY THERE GOES YOUR TIRES OR ALIGNMENT AND SUDDENLY YOU ARE SPENDING MORE MONEY.

THE POLLING DATA WENT UP TO 70% LIKELY SUPPORT FOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, ROAD MAINTENANCE AND ALL THESE KINDS OF THINGS.

>> I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING BUS SERVICES IN THE LANGUAGE OF THE BALLOT MEASURE AND I THINK THAT REALLY ALIGNS WITH WHAT WE SAW IN THE POLLING, TOO.

AND SOME OF THE INTEREST AND SUPPORT WE'VE HEARD FROM THE COMMUNITY, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO RELY ON THOSE BUS SERVICES AND IT'S CLEAR THAT FOLKS POLLED REALLY THOUGHT THAT, YOU KNOW, LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES AND SENIORS, IN PARTICULAR, WERE TOP OF MIND.

AND KIDS USING THE PUBLIC BUS TO GET TO AND FROM SCHOOL, WHICH IS A REALITY FOR MANY YOUTH, PARTICULARLY HIGH SCHOOLERS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO I JUST REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.

I THINK THAT MAKES PERFECT SENSE AND I WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THAT.

IT IS ALSO CONSISTENT WITH OUR REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN AND THE GOALS SET THEIR REGIONAL TARGETS FOR INCREASING TRANSIT TRIPS AND REDUCING VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED.

I JUST WANT FOLKS IN THE PUBLIC TO KNOW THAT IS ON OUR MINDS AS WE ARE CONSIDERING THIS LANGUAGE AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S -- I CAN ALSO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, I LIVED IN PETROLEA WHEN THE WILDCAT SLID OUT IN 2006.

I'M SURE TOM REMEMBERS THAT FONDLY.

I WAS REALLY POOR AT THE TIME AND NEEDED TO GET TO TOWN FOR BASIC GOODS AND SERVICES AND I DIDN'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE ELSEWHERE AT THAT TIME IN MY LIFE.

SO, YOU KNOW, MY HEART GOES OUT TO FOLKS WHO ARE IN THAT SITUATION AS WELL.

SO I THINK THIS STRIKES A GOOD BALANCE BETWEEN THOSE NEEDS AND JUST WANT TO APPRECIATE THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF ROBUST COMMUNITY CONVERSATION.

I THINK WE DO HAVE SOME THINGS TO WORK OUT AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS, BUT WE ARE COMMITTED TO INVESTING THE TIME TO CONTINUE THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND MAKE GOOD COLLABORATIVE DECISIONS.

>> HUMBOLDT TRANSIT AUTHORITY IS AN EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT AGENCY AND PROVIDES CRITICAL SERVICE THAT A LOT OF FOLKS ENJOY RIDING, INCLUDING ME.

BUT FOR AN AGENCY THAT SERVES SUCH A LARGE COUNTY, IT HAS A SMALL BUDGET.

EVERY YEAR, AS YOU HEARD, RIDERS REPORT UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS TO THE AGENCY AND EVERY YEAR MANY OF THEM CAN'T BE MET EITHER BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH FUNDING OR STRINGS ARE ATTACHED TO THE FUNDING.

THE BUDGET IS ALMOST ENTIRELY STATE AND FEDERAL FUND AND THAT FUNDING HAS CONDITIONS.

IT COULD EASILY BE CUT IN A TOUGH BUDGET YEAR OR UNDER AN UNFRIENDLY ADMINISTRATION AND BOTH OF THOSE THINGS ARE A REAL PROSPECT, AS WE CAN SEE RIGHT NOW.

IN WE VALUE TRANSIT SERVICE AND WANT TO RESPOND TO LOCAL NEEDS AND KEEP PROVIDING TRANSIT INTO THE FUTURE AND KEEP OUR PROMISES TO INCREASE AND IMPROVE IT, WE NEED THE RELIABLE AND SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF LOCAL FUNDING.

I WANT TO OFFER MY SINCERE THANKS TO SUPERVISORS AND STAFF THAT TRANSIT IS INCLUDED IN THE BALLOT MEASURE AND IN THE WORK GROUP ON HOW MONEY GETS SPENT.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW THROUGH AND PUT A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY TOWARDS TRANSIT.

>> THOUSANDS OF ACRES IN EASTERN HUMBOLDT COUNTY CONTINUE TO BURN AS PART OF THE HILL FIRE, LEADING TO A NUMBER OF MANDATORY EVACUATIONS OUT OF THE WILLOW CREEK AREA.

THE HILL FIRE BEGAN ON JULY 16, WHEN A SERIES OF LIGHTNING STRIKES IGNITED FORESTS IN THE MOSQUITO CREEK DRAINAGE.

MORE THAN 2,000 FIRE PERSONNEL HAVE BEEN DIRECTED TO THE SCENE, INCLUDING 12 HELICOPTERS, 134 ENGINES, AND 61 SEPARATE CREWS.

THE FIRE IS NOW AT 7,700 ACRES -- 7,100 ACRES AND IS 14% CONTAINED.

# FIVE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED SO FAR.

A COMMUNITY MEETING WAS HELD THIS PAST WEDNESDAY AT THE WILLOW CREEK BIBLE CHURCH HAS BEEN CANCELED.

# CALFIRE HAS SET UP AN INCIDENT MANAGEMENT BASE CAMP AT REDWOOD ACRES ON HARRIS STREET IN EUREKA, RESULTING IN THE CLOSURE OF THAT PORTION OF THE ROAD.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EVACUATIONS, AND WHETHER YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW IS AT RISK, VISIT WWW.HUMBOLDTSHERIFF.ORG/ EMERGENCY.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK AFTER THIS SHORT BREAK.

>> I'M DAVID GORDON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF KEET-TV AND I WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE FREE PBS APP.

IT IS NOT FREE FOR 30 DAYS OR A FREE MONTH TRIAL.

IT IS FREE FOR AS LONG AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO USE IT.

WATCH EPISODES OF PBS SHOWS THAT PREMIERED ON AIR AS WELL AS KEET'S BROADCAST RIGHT ON THE APP, NO ANTENNA REQUIRED.

FRONTLINE, PBS NEWSHOUR AND WASHINGTON WEEK ARE ALWAYS FREE.

YOU CAN GET MORE BY BECOMING A SUSTAINING MEMBER OF KEET.

$5, $10, $20 A MONTH, ANY OF THOSE OPTIONS WILL QUALIFY YOU FOR OUR MOST POPULAR BENEFIT.

PBS PASSPORT.

DRAMA, SCIENCE, NATURE, THERE IS SO MUCH TO WATCH WITH PASSPORT.

WHAT REALLY MATTERS IS YOUR DONATION NOW SUPPORTS THE PBS PROGRAMS THAT YOU WATCH.

THANK YOU.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT".

JOINING US NOW IN STUDIO IS JAIME DOYLE AND CARRIE DONAHUE FROM HUMBOLDT SOUPS ON.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> YOU AND JANE CARR ARE THE CO-FOUNDERS.

>> ME AND JAN CARR.

>> DECIDED YOU WANTED TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE DIFFERENCE ON AN ISSUE PLAGUING HUMBOLDT COUNTY AND THE REST OF CALIFORNIA.

LET'S START WITH THE BROAD PICTURE.

WHAT IS SOUPS ON AND HOW DID IT COME TO BE?

>> WELL, I VOLUNTEERED TO FEED FERKS ERAL CATS FOR JAN. SHE TRAPS AND SPAYS AND NEUTERS THE CATS.

>> THAT IS A COMMUNITY SERVICE.

>> SHE CONTINUES TO FEED THEM THROUGH LIFE.

I STARTED OUT NEAR VALLEY WEST NEAR AN ENCAMPMENT WITH FOLKS WITH NO FOOD, HOUSING OR SHELTER OF ANY KIND OUT THERE.

AND IT IS A LONG WAY FOR ANY SERVICES FOR FOOD.

WE NOTICED THEY WERE EATING OUT OF GARBAGE CANS.

YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THEM ARE WHAT THEY CALL FLYING SIGNS TO GET MONEY FOR FOOD.

>> WITH THE SIGN IF YOU HAVE CASH -- >> YES.

YES.

AND SO I JUST STARTED FEELING FUNNY ABOUT FEEDING CATS WITH THESE HUNGRY PEOPLE.

AND IT WAS REALLY WEIGHING ON MY HEART AND JAN'S AS WELL.

I JUST SAID WHAT DO YOU THINK IF I MAKE A POT OF SOUP?

I CAN MAKE A BIG POT OF SOUP AND WE'LL GO OUT AND JUST SAY, HEY, YOU WANT SOUP?

AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID.

AND SHE SAID, GREAT.

I WILL BE THERE WITH YOU AND I WILL TALK TO THEM ABOUT GETTING THEIR DOGS SPAYED AND NEUTERED.

THAT FIRST TIME WE FED 29 PEOPLE, NOVEMBER 9 OF 2023.

THEN WE JUST STARTED, SAID WE'LL COME BACK NEXT SUNDAY AND BEFORE YOU KNEW IT, I WOULD SAY WITHIN SIX WEEKS WE WERE SERVING EVERY DAY.

>> WOW.

WAS FACEBOOK IMMEDIATELY A PART OF THAT?

>> YES.

>> HOW DID THAT EVOLVE?

>> JAN IS INCREDIBLE AT NETWORKING AND, YOU KNOW, FEEDING THESE CATS ALL THESE YEARS AND DOING THAT WORK.

SHE ALREADY HAD AN ARMY OF PEOPLE HELPING HER WITH THAT.

>> YEAH.

>> SO SHE STARTED ASKING FOR DONATIONS, AND DOES ANYBODY WANT TO JOIN?

DOES ANYBODY WANT TO COOK?

DOES ANYBODY WANT TO SERVE?

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

THAT IS THE PHILOSOPHY INSTEAD OF BEING OVERWHELMED WITH THE PROBLEM OF HOMELESSNESS, ASK WHAT CAN YOU DO?

BEFORE YOU KNEW IT SO MANY PEOPLE WERE VOLUNTEERING AND CALLING AND WE'RE TRAINING THEM AND IT JUST ALL CAME TOGETHER.

IT WAS REALLY QUITE MAGICAL.

>> YOU HAVE A SIZABLE TEAM?

>> THIRTY-FIVE.

WE HAVE COOKS, SERVERS, BAKERS.

WE HAVE HELPERS.

>> YEAH.

>> AND THEN JAN AND I, JAN IS WHAT WE CALL OUR ANIMAL LIAISON SO SHE'S PARTNERED WITH REDWOOD PALS.

SO WE CAN GET THEM VACCINATIONS, GET THEM SPAYED AND NEUTERED AND THEN I AM KIND OF THE PEOPLE LIAISON.

>> YEAH.

>> I HAVE GROWN TO DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH ALL THESE FOLKS OUT THERE THAT WE SERVE TO ADD MORE OF A PERSONAL TOUCH.

>> YEAH.

>> AS WELL AS I KIND OF MANAGE ALL THE VOLUNTEERS.

>> SO, I MEAN, THE ADMINISTRATIVE ROLE.

>> YES.

>> I KNOW STARTING AND RUNNING A NONPROFIT IS NOT SIMPLE.

>> NO, IT IS NOT.

>> THE LEGALITIES AND JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS.

SO THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMEONE DEDICATED TO THAT PROCESS?

>> YES.

THAT IS MY JOB.

>> CARRIE, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT CAUSED YOU TO BE PART OF SOUPS ON AND DRAWS YOU TO THIS SERVICE?

>> I ALWAYS WANTED TO HELP IN SOME WAY AND HAVE IMPACT.

COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING RIGHT AWAY AFTER MOVING HERE THREE YEARS AGO.

CALM ACROSS SOUPS ON ON FACEBOOK AND THOUGHT THIS IS SOMETHING I COULD DO.

I CONTACTED JAIME AND SHE HAD MY HUSBAND AND I COME OUT AND SEE HOW THINGS WORK.

WE LOOKED AND SAID, GOSH, WE CAN DO THIS.

SO MY HUSBAND COOKS.

I DO EVERYTHING ELSE.

AND MY SON AND I, WE GO OUT EVERY FRIDAY AND SERVE SOUP.

>> IT IS.

IT IS A WAY TO HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT RIGHT AWAY.

>> YEAH.

>> WHEN YOU ARE FEEDING SOMEONE, THEY FEEL IT BECAUSE WHEN WE MAKE THIS SOUP AND WE MAKE THESE MEALS, WE ARE PUTTING LOVE AND COMPASSION AND EMPATHY.

AND WHEN WE'RE SERVING IT TO THE PEOPLE, THEY FEEL IT AND YOU CAN SEE IT IN THEIR FACES.

YOU CAN SEE THAT THEY'RE RELIEVED THEY ARE ABLE TO EAT.

BECAUSE SOMETIMES THAT IS THEIR ONLY MEAL IN THAT DAY.

>> AS A PARENT, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE VALUE IS FOR YOU SHOWING YOUR KIDS A LIFE OF SERVICE EARLY ON IN THEIR LIVES?

HOW DO YOU THINK THAT WILL HELP THEM DEVELOP AS GIVERS THEMSELVES?

>> I THINK IT'S AN IMMEASURABLE IMPACT WITH CHILDREN.

I LEARNED EARLY ON.

MY FATHER WAS IN THE RED CROSS HIS ENTIRE CAREER.

SO I HAVE BEEN AROUND THIS TYPE OF SERVICE ALL MY LIFE.

AND MY KIDS HAVE ALSO BEEN AROUND SERVICE.

WE WERE IN SCOUTING ALL THE WAY THROUGH KINDERGARTEN THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL.

BOTH OF MY KIDS.

I WAS A TROOP LEADER.

AND THEN WE WENT ON TO DO OTHER THINGS AROUND.

BUT WHEN WE MOVED UP HERE, WE WERE ABLE TO LUCKILY FIND SOUPS ON.

IT JUST CARRIES THROUGH.

ALSO I THINK WE'RE IMPACTING PEOPLE THAT MIGHT DRIVE BY THAT SEE US EVERY DAY AND MAYBE WONDER, I SEE THESE PEOPLE EVERY DAY.

I WONDER WHAT THEY ARE DOING?

I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE GOTTEN ANY VOLUNTEERS THAT WAY, BUT CERTAINLY WE ARE PUTTING A GOOD FACE ON WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE HOMELESS FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE.

>> WHAT I FIND PARTICULARLY POWERFUL ABOUT THIS STORY IS SEEING A NEED, NOT WHINING ABOUT IT, NOT THAT THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH COMPLAINING ABOUT THESE ISSUES, BUT TAKING ACTION AND MAKING IMPACT ON A LOT OF PEOPLE'S LIVES REALLY QUICKLY.

>> RIGHT.

>> THAT PROVES THE YOUR SKILLS AS WELL AS JAN'S AND THE COMMUNITY TO GET INVOLVED.

YOU STRUCK A CHORD WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE?

>> YES.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE, MOST PEOPLE WANT TO HELP, BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

I WAS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, AND THEN IT JUST THAT SIMPLE QUESTION, WHAT CAN I DO?

I THINK OTHER PEOPLE REALLY BOUGHT INTO THAT, TOO, BECAUSE THEY VOLUNTEER.

THEY DONATE MONEY.

THEY DONATE FOOD AND GOODS.

>> YEAH.

>> IF ALL THEY CAN DO IS DONATE A CAN OF BEANS, THEY DONATE A CAN OF BEANS AND THEY FEEL GOOD ABOUT THAT IS BEING TURNED INTO SOMETHING IMMEDIATELY TO FEED PEOPLE.

SO THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS YOU REALLY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> YEAH.

IF PEOPLE WANTED TO GIVE TO THE ORGANIZATION OR TO HELP WITH FOOD OR WHATEVER ELSE, HOW CAN THEY GO ABOUT DOING THAT?

SEARCHING HUMBOLDT SOUPS ON ON FACEBOOK >> YES.

YOU CAN LEARN A LOT ABOUT US THERE.

WE HAVE A WEBSITE HUMBOLDTSOUPSON.COM AND PAPAL TO MAKE DONATIONS.

HUMBOLDTSOUPS ON ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM.

THEY HAVE AN ADDRESS TO DONATE GOODS AND DIFFERENT WAYS THEY CAN DONATE MONEY OR VOLUNTEER.

>> YOU GUYS HAVE MADE AMAZING PROGRESS FROM BECOMING A NONPROFIT TO MOVING INTO A COMMERCIAL KITCHEN, WHICH IS A PART OF THE LEGALITIES OF THIS SITUATION.

AND THEN YOU HAVE FUTURE PLANS.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELVES GROWING OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS?

DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE MOMENTUM TO KEEP IT GOING?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE THE MOMENTUM TO KEEP IT GOING.

I ENVISION FOOD TRUCKS LIKE TACO TRUCKS.

WE WOULD BE SERVING SOUP AND GOING TO A LOT OF AREAS WHERE THE UNHOUSED PEOPLE HANG OUT.

LIKE VALLEY WEST WHERE IT IS HARD TO GET SERVICES.

>> HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS BUT NOT A LOT OF COUNTY OFFICES.

>> RIGHT.

RIGHT.

YES.

>> YOU ARE ALSO A SOCIAL WORKER, CORRECT?

>> I AM A SOCIAL WORKER AND I WAS ALSO BORN INTO POVERTY.

AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO LIVE IN POVERTY PRETTY MUCH ALL OF MY ADULT LIFE THROUGH HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS.

>> YEAH.

>> WHAT OPENED THE DOOR FOR ME TO DO THIS IS I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN FEBRUARY OF 2023 AND I HERNIATED A COUPLE OF DISKS IN MY NECK SO I HAVE BEEN ON AND OFF OF WORK EVER SINCE.

IT DID OPEN UP A LOT OF TIME FOR ME.

MY ABILITIES ARE LIMITED.

I CAN'T REALLY LIFT MUCH.

I CAN'T DO A LOT OF REPETITIVE HAND MOVEMENTS, BUT I CAN COOK SOUP SO, YEAH.

>> YOU FOUND A WAY TO BE USEFUL TO PEOPLE.

>> I DID.

YEAH.

I DID.

NOW I'M PRETTY MUCH THE SHMOOOZER.

>> WHAT DO YOU TYPICALLY SERVE, YOU ARE OUT EVERY DAY?

>> WE STARTED OUT WITH SOUP AND BREAD.

NOW WE HAVE SOUP, HOMEMADE SOUPS, EXCELLENT, WE HAVE EXCELLENT COOKS.

HOMEMADE SOUPS.

WE HAVE BAKERS WHO BAKE IN THEIR HOMES.

THEY BAKE BOTH BREADS AND DESSERTS.

SO THEY GET HOMEMADE FRESHLY BAKED BREAD AND DESERT EVERY DAY ALONG WITH THE SOUP.

AND WE DO SERVE KOOL-AID, WHICH THEY LOVE.

AND, YOU KNOW, I KNOW IT IS SUGAR, AND THAT IS NOT GOOD FOR YOU, BUT THEY NEED THE CALORIES.

THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WE SERVE THAT.

IT IS INEXPENSIVE, THEY LOVE IT, IT KEEPS THEM HYDRATED AND GIVES THEM SOME EXTRA CALORIES.

>> CARRIE, IN OUR COMMUNITIES UP AND DOWN THE STATE WE HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH HIGH HOMELESS POPULATION THAT IS GETTING WORST BECAUSE HOUSING IS SKYROCKETING ACROSS THE STATE.

THERE IS A LOT OF JUDGMENT THAT TAKES PLACE.

IF YOU CAN, YOU KNOW, ENCAPSULATE WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE AND WHAT YOU BROUGHT TO IT IN TERMS OF HOMELESS, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THESE PEOPLE AND WHAT THEY'VE GONE THROUGH.

>> THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN YOU OR I.

THEY HAVE PARENTS.

THEY HAVE GRANDPARENTS.

THEY HAVE AUNTS AND UNCLES AND BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

THEY HAVE PETS.

THEY HAVE INTERESTS.

THEY HAVE HOBBIES.

THEY HAD LIVES BEFORE THEY BECAME -- THIS SITUATION.

SOMETIMES THING HAPPENED TO THEM THEY COULD NOT CONTROL.

SOMETIMES THEY HAD CONTROL OF THINGS THAT HAPPENED, BUT IN ANY CASE, WE APPROACH THEM WITH NO JUDGMENT.

THERE BUT THE GRACE OF GOD GO I. I HAVE PERSONALLY, WHEN I STARTED SERVING WAS REMOVING THE VEIL.

WHEN ONE SEES A HOMELESS PERSON OUT ON THE STREET, YOU MIGHT SEE A PERSON, BUT IT IS MORE LIKE YOU SEE A THING.

THIS IS A HOMELESS PERSON WITH ALL OF THE PRECONCEIVED IDEAS YOU MAY HAVE, YOUR BIASES.

BUT WHEN YOU TAKE THE TIME TO ACTUALLY MEET WITH THEM, DELIVER SOME SERVICE TO THEM, IT CHANGES.

IT CHANGES YOU.

>> YEAH.

>> YOU SEE THEM AS A PERSON, AS A WHOLE PERSON.

AND IT MAKES SUCH A DIFFERENCE.

>> YEAH.

KIND OF RESTORES THEIR HUMANITY FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO ADD WITH THAT.

>> PLEASE.

>> WORKING WITH WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO LIVE IN POVERTY, ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS ABOUT THAT JOB IS SEEING THE ONES WHO FELL THROUGH THE CRACKS.

THEY FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE MUCH OF A SOCIAL SAFETY NET FOR FOLKS.

AND I SEE THESE PEOPLE AS THOSE CHILDREN WHO FELL THROUGH THE CRACKS.

>> YEAH.

>> THIS IS WHERE THEY END UP BECAUSE THERE WASN'T HELP, THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO RECEIVE THE HELP THAT THEY NEEDED >> YEAH.

AND SO YOU ARE SEEING THE OTHER END OF THE PROCESS AND HELPING THEM THERE AS WELL.

>> I AM.

I AM.

>> THAT IS FASCINATING.

WE WERE TALKING BEFORE THE SHOW ABOUT BOUNDARIES.

I IMAGINE THAT WHEN YOU'RE SERVING FOOD LIKE THIS A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE THE URGE TO CONFIDE IN YOU OR TELL YOU THEIR STORIES, WHICH COULD BE FASCINATING, BUT ALSO THAT IS NOT SOMETHING YOU WANT TO ENCOURAGE TOO MUCH BECAUSE THEY COULD TURN INTO AN UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOU AND THE PEOPLE YOU ARE SERVING, CORRECT?

>> RIGHT.

RIGHT.

WE'VE LEARNED AS WE'VE GROWN ABOUT BOUNDARIES.

ME BEING A SOCIAL WORKER, I HAVE VERY FIRM BOUNDARIES.

A LOT OF MY -- WE CALL EACH OTHER SOUP LADIES, A LOT OF OUR SOUP LADIES AND ONE SOUP MAN AREN'T USED TO HAVING THOSE KINDS OF BOUNDARIES.

WE HAVE HAD TO PUT IT DOWN IN WRITING.

WE ARE FRIENDLY, NOT FRIENDS.

WE REALLY CARE ABOUT THEM, BUT IF WE TAKE ON TOO MUCH, WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GO FOR THE LONG RUN BECAUSE IT WILL BE OVERWHELMING.

>> SURE.

I ALWAYS SAY KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL AND THE BALL IS TO FEED THEM AND KEEP FEEDING THEM.

IF YOU FIND YOURSELF BEING BOTHERED TO OTHER THINGS GO RIGHT BACK TO THIS IS OUR JOB.

>> YEAH.

>> IN ORDER TO BE SUSTAINABLE, WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON THAT AND JUST FEEDING THEM.

>> THAT IS THE THING YOU HAVE TO DECIDE ABOUT PRIORITIES.

YOU CAN HELP ONE PERSON A LOT OR A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH ONE OF THEIR MOST IMPORTANT NEEDS WHICH IS FOOD.

>> YES.

>> YOU SEEM TO HAVE CHOSEN AND BLESS YOU FOR IT.

ONE OF THE THINGS I NOTICED WITH YOU GUYS IS YOU HELP THESE FOLKS TAKE CARE OF THEIR ANIMALS AND HELP AMELIORATE THE WILD PET PROBLEM OF SPAYING AND NEUTERING.

THERE IS A LOT OF JUDGMENT FROM THE COMMUNITY OF HOMELESS PEOPLE WHO HAVE PETS.

I THOUGHT IF THEY DON'T HAVE COMPANIONSHIP OR A HOME, HAVING A PET CAN BE THE ONLY THING KEEPING THEM SANE OR OUT OF JAIL OR A LOT OF THINGS.

>> RIGHT.

>> CAN YOU TALK ABOUT BEING INCLUSIVE OF THE PET AND THE VALUE OF THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE HOMELESS PEOPLE WITH THEIR PETS.

>> OH, YEAH.

THEIR PETS ARE SO IMPORTANT.

I HAVE TO SAY THE MAJORITY OF THEM ARE WELL TAKEN CARE OF.

THEY WILL PUT THEIR PETS BEFORE THEMSELVES.

WE DO FEED THEM.

WE FEED THE DOGS AS WELL AS SOME CATS.

YEAH, THEY -- I CAN'T EVEN EXPRESS HOW MUCH THEY LOVE THEIR ANIMALS AND WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO THEM.

FOR SOME OF THEM, THAT IS ALL THEY HAVE.

THAT IS THEIR FAMILIES.

THAT IS WHO THEY SLEEP WITH AND KEEPS THEM WARM AND PROTECTED AND SAFE.

BECAUSE, YEAH, IT IS KIND OF SCARY OUT THERE, EVEN FOR THEM.

MANY OF THEM HAVE BEEN OUT THERE MANY, MANY YEARS, BUT THEIR THINGS ARE BEING STOLEN ALL THE TIME.

THEY ARE VERY VULNERABLE, SO PETS, ESPECIALLY DOGS, ARE REALLY CRUCIAL.

>> THEY ARE AN EARLY WARNING SYSTEM, PROTECTION IF NEED BE, AND A LOT OF THINGS.

MOST PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN A HOME AND DON'T CONSIDER.

THE DOG CAN ACTUALLY TAKE CARE OF YOU.

EARLY MAN AND DOGS AROUND THE FIRE, THAT WAS MUTUALLY SERVICEABLE.

>> OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH REDWOOD PALS HAS BEEN REALLY AWESOME.

THEY COME OUT EVERY TUESDAY AND TALK WITH EVERYONE AND VACCINATE IF NEEDED.

I WOULD SAY WE HAVE ABOUT 50% OF ALL THOSE DOGS SPAYED AND NEUTERED AT THIS POINT.

-- FROM THE BEGINNING.

>> THANK YOU GUYS, WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

I APPRECIATE YOU TELLING YOUR STORY AND SHOWING US TO BE OF SERVICE TO YOUR FELLOWS.

GO TO FACEBOOK AND LOOK FOR HUMBOLDT SOUPS ON.

THE WEBSITE IS HUMBOLDTSOUPSON.COM.

THEY HAVE A STORY TO TELL AND PHOTOS TO LOOK AT AND YOU CAN SEE WHAT THEIR NEEDS MIGHT BE FOR WHAT YOU CAN GIVE.

THAT IS IT FOR THIS EVENING.

REMEMBER THIS SHOW IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

AND IF YOU WANT SOMETHING INTERESTING TO CONSIDER, AN OPPORTUNITY TO PONDER WHAT'S REALLY AT PLAY ON THIS PLANET AND ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, VISIT YOUTUBE.COM/@NEONGALACTIC TO ENJOY SOME TRULY COSMIC CONVERSATIONS.

STAY TUNED, STAY INFORMED.