For the sixth year, a large group of housed and unhoused residents joined event organizer Alfred Sanchez, far right, for the Sixth annual National Homeless Persons Memorial March to remember those who lost their lives while homeless during the past year. Photo by Elise Spleiss

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The winter solstice, Dec. 21, is the longest night of the year. In many cities, this day is set aside to remember and honor individuals who have died while experiencing homelessness.

At 7 p.m. Dec. 21 for the sixth time, a group of 25 housed and unhoused residents and friends met at Adalberto’s Mexican Restaurant on Auburn Boulevard for the short march in memory of those who have died while living on the streets of Citrus Heights. The vigil serves as a tragic reminder that homelessness is a matter of life or death.

Led by Citrus Heights resident and homeless advocate Alfred Sanchez, also known as the Snack Man, the group walked the six-minute, quarter mile to Station 23 of the Sacramento Metro Fire District.

However, this year’s walk and service had a more personal touch. On Nov. 12, just five weeks before the vigil, the body of Alicia (Allie) Sotelo, 38, one of the homeless women known to Sanchez and other homeless attendees, was found behind the Burlington Factory in the Kohl’s shopping center. The cause of death was not known.

During the short service, half a dozen attendees shared their memories of Sotelo. It was a somber event and many held back tears.

Following the short service of remembrance, participants returned to the restaurant for burritos for all, compliments of Sanchez. Some walkers held large signs reading “Homeless Persons Memorial Day” and received honks of recognition from passers-by.

Sanchez, having been homeless in the past, shared that, “this is the one day we have to remember these people, they’re still people too. Just imagine being out here all night, even in a sleeping bag, even in a tent. That’s why we do this, to remember how brutal it is.”

All attendees acknowledged that “we can go home, they cannot.”

“I was very pleased and honored to have organized this memorable event once again,” Sanchez said of the evening. “We will do this again next year to remember those who died while experiencing homelessness. They were loved by their friends and those who knew them.”

Following the sixth Annual National Homeless Persons Memorial March, participants returned to Adalberto's for a meal. Courtesy photo

The first National Homeless Persons Memorial Day was commemorated in 1990.

In 2020, Sanchez brought a proclamation to the Citrus Heights City Council, which declared Dec. 21 as National Homeless Persons’ Day in Citrus Heights. Included were the words, “homelessness and hunger continue to be a serious challenge for many who have the right to adequate food, housing, clothing, safety and health care; and homelessness raises one’s risk of illness, injury and death.”

It goes on to encourage the residents of Citrus Heights, “in this season of generosity and sharing, to commit themselves to promoting compassion and concern for all, especially those who are in need and homeless” (throughout the year).

Sanchez has been a familiar face to the homeless population and the businesses he works with to carry out his many projects since 2018. “Spread love, one snack at a time” is his motto. Being an amputee doesn’t stop him from taking his electric scooter, the ‘snackmobile’ out on his Greenback Lane route to deliver hundreds of packets of snacks and other important items to his ‘customers’ seven days a week as weather permits. He also collects socks during his birthday month of March, and Halloween candy in October for his people.

Sanchez also advocates for those he serves, especially homeless veterans. Sanchez says there “is a lot of behind-the- scenes work” as a homeless liaison between the city and those customers. He informs them of their rights and where they may find other services such as the homeless navigator.

To learn more about this event and others that Sanchez organizes during the year, contact him at 916-517-6207. To help by donating items, contact him at [email protected]. Donations are gratefully accepted.