Realtors Collecting Canned Food, Other Items for Homeless Charity

The Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR), a real estate trade group for San Diego-area realtors, will collect canned and nonperishable food items benefiting the Alpha Project pantry on Monday, May 4. The public is invited to join the realtors association for its drive-thru collection event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at two PSAR Service Centers, 880 Canarios Court in Chula Vista and 1150 Broadway in El Cajon. Grocery bags with donated items should be placed in a car trunk or automobile back seat for volunteers to grab while maintaining safe social distancing.

Alpha Project officials said donated items can include canned beans, canned meat, canned vegetables, canned soup, canned pasta, spaghetti sauce, cereal, pasta, powered milk and infant formula, toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo and conditioner, hand sanitizer and wipes, bar soap, mouthwash, cough drops and energy snack bars.

PSAR said its drive-thru, canned food collection event is being held instead of a number of other PSAR group events benefiting charities that are normally held in the springtime. More event information is available at www.psar.org.

The Alpha Project prepares over 500 meals daily for homeless adults and families. Alpha Project is a nonprofit human services organization that serves more than 4,000 men, women, and children daily. Services offered include affordable housing, residential substance abuse treatment, supportive housing for people with special needs, basic and emergency services for the homeless, rental assistance, transportation assistance, mental health counseling, employment training, preparation and placement, emergency shelter, outreach and prevention, and community services.

PSAR, with 3,100 members, is one of San Diego’s largest and oldest real estate trade associations for San Diego-area realtors. Founded in 1928, PSAR offers California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), MLS training, educational training, advocacy and other services and resources to its realtor and affiliate members. During the coronavirus pandemic lockdown, PSAR is keeping open its three service centers in Chula Vista, El Cajon and Clairemont. Staff is available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to receive phone calls, answer emails and make appointments for selected in-person meetings for services relating to lockboxes, retail items and membership. For more information, visit www.psar.org.