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CORE
COMMITTEE
Major Jim Baker
Jo Clark
Joe Myall
Sally Santana
COMMUNITY
MEMBERS
Rev. Marta Schellberg and
Bremerton United Methodist Church
Monica Downen
Kirsten Jewell
Kitsap Interfaith Network
Gina Glynn
Susan Brown (photographer)
Daniel Frederick
Barb Malich
Joe Roszak
Patti Peterson
Kurt Wiest
Olympic College SING program
Sen. Christine Rolfes
November
13 through 19
2011
Hunger and Homelessness
Awareness Week in Kitsap County ~ 2011 ~
2011 marked the third year that the Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week committee arranged a variety of events designed to educate the community on, raise the visibility of, and provide assistance to, those without a home in Kitsap County.
We’ve established several annual events inside our Week; they are described in this report. Note that we are a grassroots group ~ everything required to create and carry out these events comes from individuals and the community; there is no funding from grants or organizations.
Many thanks to all of you who volunteered at these events, participated in them, helped to cover their costs, and make Kitsap County a safer, healthier and happier place to live for all its citizens.
The Calendar
Sunday, Nov. 13: Many faith leaders focused their services around the issues of hunger and homelessness.
Monday, Nov. 14: Warm for Winter outer wear blessing.
Wednesday, Nov. 16: “Empowering People - Repairing Our Safety Net” conference.
Thursday, Nov. 17: The Olympic College SING (Students In Need Group) Connect.
“Dine Out To End Hunger”
Friday, Nov. 18: “Lunch With The Electeds”
“Outside Over Night” .
Saturday, Nov. 19: “Fine Dining Fundraiser” for The Salvation Army.
P A G E 2
“Kitsap County is
very fortunate to
have so many of
its citizens
dedicated to the
safety and success
of its neighbors.”
Sally Santana
Wednesday ~ The Conference
Monday ~ Warm for Winter For months, individuals and community groups had been crafting hats and scarves, and others collecting gloves, mittens, and gently worn coats, to help provide some comfort from the cold weather. These items came together at Bremerton United Methodist Church where its pastor, Rev. Marta Schellberg, The Salvation Army’s Major Jim Baker, and Warm for Winter creator Janice Tufte, blessed the clothing into service (see cover page).
Several hundred items were blessed. Those homeless in attendance took what they needed and the rest were given out at Project Connect.
A couple dozen or so homeless persons, crafters and others received a hot, nutritious and filling lunch, prepared and served by church members, before
heading out.
“Empowering People - Repairing Our Safety Net” was this year’s theme, and it struck a chord. Over 80 participants listened to keynote speaker state Sen. Christine Rolfes (right), and a brief review of the status of our safety net by experts in their fields, such as Patti Peterson from Bremerton Foodline, Joe Roszak, exec. dir. of Kitsap Mental Health Services, and Barb Malich, exec. dir. of Peninsula Commu-nity Health Services. They then broke into workgroups to name a
project they would tackle to help patch up our community safety net. We were guided by facilitator Kirsten Jewell (upper left).
Six groups were formed: Shelter, Transportation, Info/Resources/Volunteer, Affordable Housing, Health, Food/Hunger/Nutrition.
Several of the groups came back three months later to discuss what they’d accomplished or what was still in progress, to help hold the most vulnerable of our community together.
Thursday ~ Olympic College “Connect”
P A G E 3
Thursday ~ “Dine Out To End Hunger”
Friday ~ “Lunch With The Electeds” Twice a year we bring together the low-income/homeless with the elected officials who make
the laws and ordinances they live by, and give both a chance to discuss issues and share resource
information.
Hundreds of students and community members came by the OC Connect to look for
assistance with student needs like textbooks, tuition, childcare, etc. Also help for rent, utilities,
food, medical needs, gas/transportation, clothing...everything it takes to survive and thrive.
Thanks to the leadership of Monica Downen of Monica’s
Waterfront Bakery and Cafe in Old Town Silverdale, we did our first
event to benefit our community free meal sites. Over $1400 was
given by thirteen restaurants/stores (they gave a percentage of a
day’s income. Some gave 1% up to 25%) to eight sites facing
overwhelming need. We’re doing it again this year, along with some
“fine tuning” to allow more places to participate.
Below, Joe Roszak of Kitsap
Mental Health discusses local is-
sues with Alexis Oliver from the
Governor’s Office, and Major Baker
Friday ~ “Outside Overnight” Fundraiser for Sally’s Camp This was a fundraiser (pledges for time spent outdoors, overnight) for The
Salvation Army’s “Sally’s Camp” (no relation to Sally Santana), a full-time 24/7 shelter
for families and couples for the winter months. With matching funds from the Willow
Fund, we raised over $5,500 for this cause.
Bremerton Rescue
Mission had both their mobile
meal truck and shower unit on
site for overnighters (left).
In this picture (right) is
Loren from Harrison Medical
Center and Sally. Also participating was MaryAnn Smith
with Pastor Art’s “Taking It To The Streets Ministries”, and her dog.
Saturday ~ Fundraising Luncheon for The Salvation Army Navy cooks prepared a meal of country-style ribs, BBQ
beans, cornbread, salad and dessert for this love-offering fund
raiser for The Salvation Army. This was the first time ribs had been
served there, according to Major Baker. Approx. $500 was raised
to support the many services they provide to those in Kitsap
County.
Among the many helpers for the
lunch were state Sen. Derek Kilmer (left), the
Kingston Rotary, and Bremerton City
Councilman Nick Wofford.
Music was provided by
Rick Cortes (below).
A clean-shaven Major Baker
was happy with the overflowing
love-offering kettle. The next Hunger and Homelessness
Awareness Week in Kitsap County
is Nov. 11 through 17, 2012
PAGE 4