3 Programs Launched By The Black Panther Party
The Black Panther party had many community driven initiatives, and established dozens of programs that helped thousands.
Here are just 3 programs started by the Black Panther Party
1. Free Breakfast for Children Program
One of the most notable organizations created by The Black Panthers was the free breakfast program, a community led service initiative that began in 1969.
In the 1960s reduced lunch was available to students who demonstrated financial need, but there were often children whose parents could not afford that and so kids would often go hungry.
To solve this problem and help the children thrive in school The Black Panthers launched the People’s Free Breakfast Program where students could get free breakfast before school in a safe environment.
This program quickly expanded, and they opened the second program location within two months. By 1971 they had 34 program locations nationwide.
They fed thousands of kids a day and helping them focus in school instead of being too hungry to concentrate.
Bonus: Along with the free breakfast program they also had a free grocery program. Where they would give away pre-prepared grocery bags for families to pick up.
The community was provided with bags of fresh food containing items such as eggs, canned fruits and vegetables, chickens, milk, potatoes, rice, bread, cereal, and so forth. A minimum of a week’s supply of food was included in each bag
2. The People’s free Walk in clinics
The Black Panther Party established the People’s Free Medical Clinics (PFMCs) in the late 1960s and early 1970s to combat systemic medical discrimination. A phenomenon many black and oppressed people faced daily. They provided neglected Black communities with adequate healthcare as stated in their revised 10 Point Program.
Excerpt from the 10 Point Program:
#6 WE WANT COMPLETELY FREE HEALTH CARE FOR ALL BLACK AND OPPRESSED PEOPLE
bppaln.org
We believe that the government must provide, free of charge, for the people, health facilities which will not only treat our illnesses, most of which have come about as a result of our oppression, but which will also develop preventive medical programs to guarantee our future survival
The clinic was run solely by volunteers, who did things like schedule licensed doctors who were also volunteers and to staff clinic hours.
The clinic itself pioneered screening for genetic disorders (such as sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, or G6PD) that affected primarily people of African descent. Along with physical exams they also rendered first aid to those in need.
The Winston-Salem, North Carolina clinic location even had a free ambulance service.
3. Seniors Against a Fearful Environment (SAFE)
SAFE was a nonprofit organization established by the Black Panther Party. When a group of senior residents asked the Black Panthers to launch the organization to help seniors learn self-defense techniques to prevent robberies, muggings, and other attacks on seniors.
The problem was especially prevalent when community seniors went out to cash their Social Security or pension checks. These seniors had originally approached the Oakland police department to provide additional patrols and protection, but most were told to “stand closer to the curb” to keep themselves safe according to a Panther report by David Hilliard, who served as the Party’s chief of staff.
The SAFE program also offered free transportation and escort services to the residents of the Satellite Senior Homes, a residential complex for the elderly in Oakland, California. Allowing seniors to safely conduct banking transactions when they went out to cash their Social Security or pension checks.
Key Takeaway
While The Black Panther Party had many controversies, it is clear that they had a positive effect on the world and worked to protect the members in the communities that faced disadvantages and hardships on a daily basis.
