Silver Fox Host Fashion Show Benefit for AFS – AIDS Food Store Long Beach

Featuring designer Jomo Patterson of JP Designs

See the hottest in fashion the Silver Fox.  Swimwear, T-shirts, and underwear by JP Designs will be featured in this year as some of the area’s top models strut their stuff for charity.

For the past 15 years, AFS –  AIDS Food Store and the Silver Fox have joined together with local designers to present the season’s best fashions.  On Sunday, July 23rd  at 4:00 pm come down to the Silver Fox at 411 Redondo Avenue in Long Beach to see what you should be wearing featuring the designs from Jomo Patterson.  These distinct and exciting designs will be present on the runway and will be available for purchase.

During your visit purchase raffle tickets for your chance to win a variety of specially curated gift baskets along with gift certificates from local retail establishments.  These prizes are valued at more than $5000.  More prizes will be available on the night of the fashion show.  All proceeds benefit AFS AIDS Food Store, Long Beach.

“There have been great strides in medication and treatment for HIV and AIDS over the last 25 years and people are living longer, however, infection is still an issue in many communities and demographics and the need continues to be great,” says Jean Hartman, AFS President.

The Food Store continues its 37 mission of serving those affected and infected with HIV/AIDS by providing healthy, fresh, and nutritious food, fresh vegetables, and meats during each food distribution.  For more information about their services please visit www.aidfoodstore.org

The need is great, and organizations have combined their efforts recently to help those with HIV — specifically, the AIDS Food Store of Long Beach and AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) Health’s Vance North Necessities of Life Program (NOLP).

The partnership creates the third largest NOLP in L.A. County, with more than 1,750 bags of groceries given to more than 279 people per month, according to a release. 

“It’s really important for the AIDS Food Store and APLA to have this partnership,” food store board of directors president John Newell said. “The store has the delivery system and APLA has connections. It will benefit both organizations.”

The AIDS Food Store is Southern California’s longest serving HIV/AIDS food provider. Started in 1985 through Christ Chapel Long Beach, when a group came together to address the issue of hunger in a community where many social service agencies were unable or unwilling to help.

Consequently, the AIDS Food Store Long Beach was born with the commitment that no one in the Long Beach area living with HIV/AIDS disabilities would ever be without food, love and support.

Those in need are given a standard bag of staples, selected for balanced nutrition including: Fresh fruits, vegetables, pastries, breads, meat and dairy products.

AIDS Food Store relies on agencies, foundations, groups, churches, businesses and individuals to assist with ongoing donations of food, supplies and financial support. They receive no government funding and have no paid administration.

LONG BEACH>> When Christ Chapel’s AIDS Food Store opened in the mid 1980s, its founders saw a big need to provide food for AIDS and HIV patients.

Most patients were too ill to work and had no means of support. Many were not living long.

Since then, however, with advances in medicine, there has been a change in life expectancy for those infected, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be able to count on getting a mix of groceries from the store at 3935 E. 10th St.

“Long Beach has a high rate of new infections for HIV,” store president John Newell said. “And there’s still a need to help those who cannot provide food for themselves.”