Feeling a little unsure of your safety plan in the wake of all the fires recently? The San Francisco Fire Department will be on hand in the Tenderloin from 4pm-6pm this evening to offer advice, answer questions, and (if you've ever had a hankering) show you around one of their fire trucks.

The event will also be an opportunity to offer support and donations for the 20 people that were displaced by last month's fire in the Tenderloin. On the evening of January 29th (one day after a large fire broke out in the Mission), 642 Hyde Street also caught fire. The three-story building was home to six low-income families, many with young children.

Jane Kim's office shared a little more about the displaced Hyde Street residents: one was a pediatric oncology ward nurse’s assistant, another a construction worker who is working on the Transbay Terminal. One particularly heartbreaking story is that of a single mother of four, who lost her husband on Christmas Day, only to lose her home a month later. 

There's one stark difference between the two fires, despite the fact that they displaced low-income families just one day apart, and that's money. Thanks to a passerby at the Mission Street fire who set up a GoFundMe page, the residents displaced in that neighborhood received a lot of attention, and over $180,000 in crowdfunded donations.

In contrast, the Tenderloin fire victims have been largely unsupported, aside from aid in their direct communities and assistance from the Red Cross. A HandUp page was established several weeks ago, but as of today only $6,475 has been raised. So while today's event is focusing on fire safety, it'll also be an opportunity for the community to support its neighbors.

Aside from money, event organizers compiled a list of items direly needed by the displaced families. This includes houseware (such as pots and pans), beds and bedding, toiletries, baby supplies (size 4 diapers and clothes sized 12 months), children's clothing (in small medium and large, as well as 5T), and adult clothing.  

This is just one of several monthly events planned to "take back" MacAulay Park, located on the corner of Larkin and O'Farrell streets. La Voz Latina and Central City SRO Collaborative head up the reclamation project, hosting different community-based events in the park each month.

We'll keep you updated on future MacAulay Park events, as well as on the status of the 642 Hyde fire victims. In the meantime, swing by MacAulay between 4pm and 6pm today to drop off items or contribute to the fund. If you can't make it in person, consider donating to the campaign online here. 

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