by Peggy Phillips
YOU made a difference! THANK YOU!
East Shore has just participated in our 25th year of serving 30-36 homeless men through Congregations for the Homeless. This program is part of the year-round rotating shelter program giving the men a safe place to sleep, obtain meals (including a hot dinner), laundry, showers, case managers and stability. Every month, the men rotate to a different church on the Eastside. ESUC hosts the men in October. Each day we provided the men with breakfast and fixings for a “grab and go” lunch. Bellevue Presbyterian Church provided sandwiches the first half of the month and we provided sandwiches the second half of the month. In conjunction with St. Andrews Lutheran Church, we provided a hot dinner each night in October. Additionally, we received donations of $1,000 from Northlake Unitarian Church, $200 from Woodinville Unitarian Church and $250 from Plymouth Congregational Church to assist us in our mission.
Every night at least one member of ESUC was the host acting as a liaison between ESUC, Congregations for the Homeless staff and men; and the volunteers providing dinner. In addition, the hosts and meal providers visited with the men, getting to know them and enjoying their company. Volunteers helped with shopping, making sandwiches and providing dinners. ESUC staff also helped us manage our facilities and keep it welcoming to our guests. Thank you to each and every one who was able to help in some capacity!
At the time of this writing, we are still in the midst of our ministry. A more detailed report will follow. Please know your kindness and generosity are so very much appreciated. The ministry team of Dean Dubofsky, Chris Edwards, Ryam Hill, Den Kerlee, Ralph Lutz, Peggy Phillips and Laura Rivendell could not have done this without each of you! If you would consider joining our ministry team for October of 2020, we would very much like to hear from you. The yearly commitment is quite limited to August and September (preparation) and October when the men are present. Many hands make light work and the work is so worthwhile! Dean Dubofsky ([email protected]) 425-495-3328, Den Kerlee ([email protected]) 206-619-5999 and Peggy Phillips ([email protected]) 425-417-1366 serve as Co-chairs.