40 times the compassion
November 18, 2008
By Ari Cetron
Sammamish Presbyterian Church reaches out to help those in need
Winter in this part of the Northwest is cold, dark and wet. Thousands of homeless people in Seattle must endure these elements, and parishioners at Sammamish Presbyterian Church are going to help.Last year, the church was one of many on the plateau that funded and assembled kits to be sent to people in Africa who help people with AIDS. Using that idea as a springboard, the church this year is focusing on needy people closer to home.
“This year, we wanted to turn our attention local,” said Becki Barrett, pastor at the church.
Church and community members will assemble similar kits, which will then be distributed to homeless people in Seattle through one of three agencies.
“Our church really wanted to do something hands on,” said Lisa Stinson, communications director.
“When we give and when we unite together, we can make a difference in the world, Barrett said. “It feeds the soul more than you realize.”
Thus was born the 40 Degrees Project, which takes its name for the average temperature in December, Stinson said.
Even as home values plummet, housing affordability is still a problem. Stinson cited statistics that show it generally takes an hourly wage of $14.72 to be able to afford a two-bedroom apartment and utilities in King County, but the minimum wage is a little more than $8 per hour (about $16,000 per year).
As a result, even people with full-time jobs can have problems affording a place to live.
The church contacted people at Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, Operation Nightwatch and Teen Feed, each of which operates in different parts of the city.
The need for help is growing. Union Gospel Mission alone served 422,328 meals last year, said Danielle Dean, community relations coordinator. They also provided 127,894 overnight stays.
Through people there, they were able to determine needs. One of the most pressing needs, Stinson found, was for hygiene products. So, the kits will contain items like soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo and deodorant.
“Just think of all the things that you use,” Stinson said.
Another priority, Stinson said, is to make the items portable — things that can fit in a pocket or backpack, since homeless people will need to tote them around wherever they go.
“That’s easier for them to distribute and that’s what the recipients want,” she said.
Dean said that the effort by Sammamish Presbyterian Church was unusual because of its size. Many people, she said, might bring some items.
“To donate the entire packet is unusual,” she said. “This is a much larger scale.”
Barrett said representatives from Union Gospel Mission came and explained to people at the church how to talk to homeless people — keep in mind that they are human beings with stories and birthdays all their own.
People interested in helping should not, however, show up with a grocery bag full of products. Stinson said the church is going to buy the items in bulk, so they will be easier to assemble into kits.
“It’s easier if it’s all kind of uniform,” she said.
As a result, she said people should simply make a cash donation of $10 per kit if they want to get involved.
The church is also hosting a kit assembly night. There are two shifts, from 4-6 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Dec. 12 at the church. Stinson noted that participating could count toward community service hours in schools.
She urges anyone interested in attending to call ahead, so organizers can be sure to have the right amount of equipment.
There are also opportunities to go to the city and help distribute the kits.
The church is also collecting hats, gloves and wool socks, in dark colors. Those items can be dropped off at the church.
The church hopes to collect enough to make 2,500 kits, and has already gotten enough to make almost 1,000, Stinson said.
Editor Ari Cetron can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 233, or samrev@isspress.com.
Comments
Got something to say?
Before you comment, please note:
- These comments are moderated.
- Comments should be relevant to the topic at hand and contribute to its discussion.
- Personal attacks and/or excessive profanity will not be tolerated and such comments will not be approved.
- This is not your personal chat room or forum, so please stay on topic.
