On the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Jonestown tragedy, many former Peoples Temple members reunited for the first time since the deaths. That reunion served as the inspiration for the creation of “The November 18th Living Memorial Food Fund: In memory and tribute to those who died in Jonestown and Port Kaituma, Guyana on November 18th, 1978” with the San Francisco Food Bank.

The intention of this endeavor is threefold: 1) to honor the humanitarian intentions and ideals of the people who perished in Jonestown and Port Kaituma; 2) to provide a tangible and concrete avenue for those who lost friends, family, and loved ones, as well as those who are simply empathetic, to pay their respect; and 3) to help feed the hungry. It is a true “living” memorial that will benefit those in immediate need.

This fund provides the ongoing opportunity to create positive action in the now. Perhaps, over time, it will help in some small measure to counter-balance the image of Jonestown as simply representing senseless waste and death.

For every dollar contributed to the November 18th Living Memorial Food Fund, the San Francisco Food Bank will be able to purchase approximately $9.00 worth of food. As of this writing, the fund has raised over $300 in just its first few months. The hope, of course, is that it will serve to raise thousands of dollars in the coming years.

There is a Buddhist tenet that translates as “turning poison into medicine.” The November 18th Living Memorial Food Fund is an honest attempt to turn some of the “poison” of the Jonestown tragedy into contemporary “medicine” that honors all who perished in Guyana in a tangible, humanitarian way.

How To Make A Donation

Donations can be made directly online, either with a credit card or a Visa debit card. The link to make a donation online is: https://lv0.net/Form/SanFranciscoFoodBank/RevisedAnnualFundForm

Near the bottom of this page you’ll find a box which specifically asks, “Is this a gift for the November 18th Living Memorial Fund?” Answer accordingly. Please note that you may establish automatic monthly withdrawals through this web page, if you so desire.

If you wish to donate via snail-mail, you can use this link: http://www.sffoodbank.org/donate.html. Under the “Donate Money” header, you will find at the bottom of the menu “Make a tribute gift to the November 18th fund.” When you click on that link, it will take you to a .pdf form, which you can print out and complete.

Checks can also be mailed directly to:

San Francisco Food Bank
900 Pennsylvania Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94107

Please make the notation of “November 18th Living Memorial Food Fund” or “Jonestown” in the memo area of your donation.

All donations are tax deductible, and the San Francisco Food Bank keeps all donor information strictly confidential.

If you have any questions regarding this effort, or if you wish to help directly, please e-mail me at: tcarter999@comcast.net.