Bethany Food and Shelter Programs
SHARE (Seattle Housing and Resource Effort) and Bethany Lutheran Church’s men’s shelter
SHARE has lost its major source of funding, and we would like to urge Bethany, as a community, to help spread the word, make donations, and put pressure on political and business leaders.
At the beginning of the month, SHARE, King County’s largest shelter provider, was informed that they would not be receiving $44,000 from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). For over fifteen years FEMA’s financial support has helped SHARE shelter more than 500 homeless people per night. It appears that “a national FEMA committee” changed rules for distributing funds. Because King County as a whole did not meet the 11.5% unemployment rate or the 14.5% poverty rate, King County is no longer eligible to receive any funds from this particular FEMA fund. It is feared that 15 shelters will be forced to close their doors in the King County area.
The History of Bethany’s Shelter
At one of the meetings with SHARE held before the shelter opened, the men were asked what they would like people to know about the residents. One answered “that a homeless man is not the same as a bum”. Many have low wage jobs and/or are actively looking for work.
There are currently 14 shelter sites in the city, most in church buildings. Each has a maximum of 20 men. They arrive together at a predetermined time in the evening and leave early in the morning. Each shelter has its own specific agreements with the residents about hours of operation, respect for the building, and responsibilities of the residents and of the church.
At Bethany the housing is in the Fellowship hall and includes a strict set of rules to follow. The men have access to the kitchen, and provide their own microwave, refrigerator and toaster oven. They use part of a storage room to store their sleeping mats, blankets, and one bag each of personal belongings. One of SHARE’s stated goals is to leave the facility as clean or cleaner than they found it each day. Since opening, they have done an outstanding job: mopping the floors and tidying up the kitchen and rest rooms daily.
An informational meeting was held with the neighbors before the shelter opened. There were many questions discussed. The follow up from the neighborhood has been from very few individuals; some opposed and some in favor. Bethany has stressed the ongoing opportunity for neighbor involvement and provided ways to contact the church and the SHARE offices.
The shelter program is a community outreach mission to address the need for a safe place to be at night for those who find themselves temporarily homeless.
Considering that there is a shortage of 6,000 shelter beds in King County every night, it is Bethany’s small but important contribution…and answers the call to “help the least among us.”
Food Gathering for Our Neighbors in Need
Many individuals and families in our community continue to be severely impacted financially by the economic downturn. A critical need exists for basic food and household items that many of us may have in abundance. It’s time for us to reach out and share our bounty, offering help and hope to those in need!
In July 2009, Bethany Lutheran Church began an intended year-long food drive, with scheduled offerings brought forward for blessing on the third Sunday of each month.
Contributions and response from the Congregation has been outstanding thus far, so we will continue with no end date!
Current plans continue to be providing bags for each congregation household marked with a unique Bethany logo/theme line designed by Laurie Clark. (pictured) The bags are being used for weekly food collection by members and brought to the church on or before the third Sunday. The Bethany contributions are distributed through the University District Food Bank, whose coverage area most closely matches our church neighborhood.
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Each of us can participate in this vital neighborhood outreach program by contributing both large and small amounts of food and other items, based on this “Wish List” of items identified below by the food bank:
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Suggested donations for January are:
- Diapers
- Soy milk
- Bar Soap
- Toothbrushes and Toothpaste
- Toilet Paper
- Shampoo
- Deodorant
- Plastic and Paper bags are always appreciated.
Food
- Canned Fruits
- Canned Soups & Stews
- Canned Protein Items (tuna, corned beef hash, Spam, chili, peanut butter-especially crunchy)
- Soy Milk/Rice Milk
- Vegetarian Items (tofu, canned beans, soups, chili)
- Pasta and Rice
- Canned Vegetables (pasta sauce, peas, olives, mushrooms)
- Baby Diapers, Food, Formula and Wipes
- Cooking oil