Project Understanding Holding Auction to Raise Funds

By its own estimate, Project Understanding last year called upon about 400 volunteers from churches around the county to help a thousand or more of their less-fortunate neighbors every month.

But the nonprofit group needs more than volunteers to survive. So the Ventura-based consortium will hold its largest fund-raiser of the year, its annual Silent and Live Auction, on Oct. 18 at the Buenaventura Mall in Ventura.

“Last year’s auction drew 900 people and raised $13,000,” said Project Understanding auction coordinator Karen Campbell. Corporate sponsors and the community donate items such as weekends for two in Mammoth and La Jolla, a homemade Mexican dinner for six with delivery, a year’s worth of car-wash tickets and racquet-club memberships.

Campbell stressed that the auction is family oriented, with kids’ karaoke, face painting and Spaceplay activity areas. Several restaurants will have tasting booths, and musical groups will perform.

Tickets at the door of the Buenaventura Mall’s food court are $5, “or free if you’re holding a baby,” Campbell said. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the auction gets underway at 9.

The engine that is Project Understanding is fueled by “faith in action,” said the Rev. Virgil Nelson, who was involved in its inception in 1977. Started by several local clergy members, it has grown into an interfaith umbrella community that supplies food, shelter, education and support services to anyone in need.

Its programs, run by volunteers, include the Ventura County Hunger Coalition (a network of church and community groups); Focus on Food Emergency Food Pantry; the Reception Center to assess the needs of individuals and families; SARAH, which offers basic services such as showers, a laundry and mail center to people who are homeless; a tutoring station for disadvantaged kids; the Religious Coalition for the Homeless; the Winter Warming Shelter at the National Guard armory; and Adopt-a-Family, in which families in need live in house trailers on church properties.

For information on the auction, how to donate auction items or how to donate meals or services to Project Understanding, call Campbell at 644-7326.

The Buenaventura Mall is at Main Street and Mills Road.