By Summer:
I was listening to Spirit 105.3 the other night while running an errand in my car. It was commercial time but I didn’t change the station, I just thoughtlessly listened while I drove until something caught my attention: For only $1.92 you could provide a meal and a night of safe accommodations for a homeless Seattleite through the 4th Annual One Meal/One Hope Campaign at my local Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission. You can donate any amount to help.
One Meal / One Hope 2011 from Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission on Vimeo.
I’m on the late end as far as hearing about these Thanksgiving meals, though I know meals are always needed, but I feel it’s important to know and pass on since your help can span beyond this season of giving. The Seattle Union Gospel Mission offers a community room as a safe, warm place to enjoy creativity and games; mail services; free meals – breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as sack lunches if working; overnight mat stay for men; personal care center and with men’s showers and hygiene supplies; men’s and women’s restrooms; men’s clothing; metro bus tickets for work, school, or emergencies; a pet clinic; legal services; dental services; men’s recovery programs; and chapel services. If you live in the Seattle area there is a small card you can print to have handy for homeless you encounter.
My Union Gospel Mission says you can help by preparing a “car kits” to hand out to homeless asking for help or holding signs on the street. Include a bottled water; healthy snack – bought or homemade; warm clothing – hats, socks or gloves; hand warmers; hand sanitizer; and if you live in the Seattle area place the aforementioned small card inside too. Though any city’s homeless could use a car kit.
If you’re interested in helping the homeless in your community, visit the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions (AGRM) where you can locate a mission in your area. If homelessness is a hard subject for you or you’d like more thought and digestion time on your role, then I’d recommend reading Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski.
About Summer:
Summer is very active in our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living while cooking up a storm
This is wonderful! This is a great time of year to find ways to give, whether by donating food, money, or time…thanks for this post!
What a wonderful way to help.
Great post!