a group of PPP staff stand outside in front of a mural

On Thursday, May 23, Prevention Point hosted our first-ever Spring Festival in the Love Lot. We served a delicious lunch to well over 600 people and were busy from the moment we opened at 12:30 until we ran out of food at 4pm—quite possibly the largest event we have ever hosted. 

Staff offered a buffet of Puerto Rican specialities including pork shoulder, grilled chicken, arroz con gandules, and potato salad. Director of Prevention Services Larry Anderson and team kept the grills hot, cooking up hundreds of burgers and hot dogs all afternoon. 

We provided 200 solar-powered chargers to guests, and also had a live raffle. Two lucky participants walked away with the grand prizes—new bicycles!

Big thanks to Socks For The Streets for setting up shop. Given the humidity combined with the xylazine-related wounds that many people are experiencing, we can never get enough clean new socks. As on every Thursday, Lisa Kelley and Kathryn Pannepacker hosted their workshop, giving people the chance to make some art after finishing their burgers.

Thanks to our gracious staff, volunteers, donors, and security team for ensuring that everyone had a safe and fun festival. Special thanks to Larry Anderson and Director of Drop-In Services Viviana Ortiz for initiating and organizing this successful event for the community.