Helping Our Neighbors Most in Need During COVID-19
In this rapidly changing situation of our beautiful city of Seattle responding to the challenges of slowing the spread of COVID-19, we know that our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness and food insecurity are particularly vulnerable, as they often have no place to practice "social distancing." Most overnight shelter beds are 6 inches apart, much less than the recommended 6 feet.
Catholic Community Services is looking to support those who are most vulnerable within this population - the especially elderly, and the medically fragile children and adults in the "high risk" category for the impact of Coronavirus on their health - and has found the funding to move these people into motels so they can have a separate place to protect themselves. However, while the people have a place to stay, they don't have food resources.
Right now, food lines at soup kitchens in the traditional way are not able to practice social distancing, so these folks need individually packaged meals. Additionally, a lot of the people who are able to volunteer at soup kitchens fall into risk categories themselves, and are having to step back from volunteering.
We are working with local POC-owned catering companies to be able to offer a hot, nutritionally-balanced, and individually wrapped dinners for these folks at a very reasonable cost.
These catering companies are suffering with the economic hit of having events for the foreseeable future canceled, and are very excited at the prospect of work, so we are working together to make the cost as economical as possible.
For $7.50, we can offer a hot dinner for one person AND support a local small business. For $10,395, we can feed all the folks we have in hotels for 3 weeks: that's our goal right now.
If you are able to offer at least $7.50 at this time to help feed one of our neighbors who is hungry and needing our help right now, we invite you to join us in giving what you can.
Thank you so much for your generosity, and please share widely!
All money you donate to the campaign (outside of the small GoFundMe transaction fee) will go directly to the caterers to offer these meals.
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If you are not able to offer support financially at this time, or wish to help in another way, the Day Centers for CCS also need food that’s more easy to hand out. With the outbreak in Seattle, food donations have dropped, and the numbers of people needing food and a place to be has drastically increased. This kind of food includes breakfast bars, applesauce, granola bars, microwavable individually packaged meals, etc. If you are stopping by a grocery store or Costco, we’d invite you to consider picking up some extra food for these folks who are using the Day Centers. You can drop the food off at any of the centers below, and we thank you profusely!
Lazarus Center
2329 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98144
The Center is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
The Federal Way Day Center
33505 13th Place S #D, Federal Way, WA 98003
Monday – Friday, 10am – 3pm
Kent Community Engagement Center (CEC)
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 10am – 3pm
1225 W Smith St. Kent, WA 98032
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More information about Catholic Community Services of Western Washington (Catholic Community Services): Founded in 1918 and rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and the Gospel imperative, Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services are outreaches of the Catholic Church in Western Washington, under the leadership of the Archbishop of Seattle and the Boards of Trustees. CCS/CHS answers the Gospel call to loving and compassionate service with particular concern for the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death and the dignity of the human person. Our employees and volunteers come from many faith traditions to serve and support poor and vulnerable people through the provision of quality, integrated services and housing. Our focus is on those individuals, children, families, and communities struggling with poverty and the effects of intolerance and racism.
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