Houselessness, free markets, community support: Don't miss Victorville's resource market this Sunday
High Desert Free Market will be hosting a free resource event this Sunday, May 19 in Victorville.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at at Center Street Park. The market offers free water, food, clothing, hygiene supplies, menstrual products, and COVID-19 protective equipment to High Desert residents in need.
The organization is encouraging unhoused people to show up, reserving space at the front for them with "no questions asked."
High Desert Free Market is requesting donations before the Sunday event of tents, tarps, batteries, men's shoes, hygiene supplies, hats, sunscreen, and pet food.
According to the organization's social media account, the "anti-fascist" and "anti-imperial" group aims to feed and care for High Desert communities outside of "colonial systems of oppression." Their first food and clothing drive debuted last month with a successful turnout and a gracious number of donated items, organizers said.
Houselessness in the High Desert
The High Desert is no stranger to the unhoused. Victorville had the second highest homeless population in San Bernardino County in 2023, tallying to 607 houseless individuals.
There isn't one solution to fix the housing crisis but efforts in the High Desert have been temporary at best.
Operation Shelter Me linked 20 unhoused individuals in Barstow with assistance programs, only three of whom received follow-up services.
High Desert Homeless Services is struggling with funding and announced three months ago via Instagram that they were "temporarily pausing our services to the homeless so we can reopen BETTER THAN EVER." They are trying to bounce back with a newly announced temporary thrift store.
The Victorville Interim Homeless Shelter is no longer in operation.
The Victorville Wellness Center is the area's best resource for unhoused and struggling residents, but it is still in its beginning stages.
High Desert Free Market is an example of community members taking matters into their own hands. For more information on donating items, please message the group directly on Instagram @highdesertfreemarket.
McKenna Mobley is a Daily Press reporter and can be reached at mmobley@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Pop-up market in Victorville gives away free resources
