Outreach Programs

Food

&

Water

Distribution

&

Connection

All of our programs arise from a foundation of trusting relationships formed between our volunteers and our unhoused neighbors. By getting to know our neighbors, we gain the trust necessary so our friends share what they most desire help with. From there we assess which resources we can provide and identify how to acquire and we deliver these resources in the most environmentally sustainable manner possible.    

Food and Water

Food remains one of the most meaningful resources we can provide. The unmatched power of a handmade meal made with love and served with care shines through some of the darkest situations.

Fresh water and local foods are some of the most inaccessible yet necessary resources for our unhoused friends and neighbors, yet have some of the most horrifying waste ratios in our community.

On Sundays, we are privileged to glean leftover produce from the local organic farmers operating at the West Seattle Farmers Market. During the warmer months, we also receive produce donations from local gardens, notably that of St. Therese Catholic Church. These pivotal ingredients then determine our menu for the week, thus making every dish we serve delightfully seasonal.

We take as much of this donated produce as we are capable of cooking to Plymouth Congregational Church, where we spend our Tuesdays crafting thoroughly nutritious, heartwarming meals. Any leftover gleaned produce or cooked meals, we deliver to local food banks and to The Wheel, a local woman’s shelter.

Over 2021, we donated over 3000 pounds of produce to our primary food bank partner, Byrd Barr Place, who have in turn provided us with rotating stock of other essential items.

Personal Essentials

Life without access to a shower or laundry services is incredibly and uniquely difficult. When existing in a position of poor access to health care, hygiene and self care become that much more important. When sleeping outside, a blanket and a tarp can make a world of difference. One of our most impactful programs is that of collecting community donations to provide PPE, hygiene supplies, camping equipment, personal care items, fresh and weather-appropriate clothing options, and more.  

To learn what items you can donate to our community members, visit our Get Involved page where you can see a complete list of items we accept. Special thanks to Byrd Barr Place for their regular contributions of hygienic essentials and PPE!


Energy Resources

The average housed person’s access to energy and utilities is so integrated into everyday life that we often forget how life can be without a reliable energy source. Everything from safety to food preparation to warmth is made exponentially harder without access to power.

Often, cars are literally lifelines; without a cell phone to call for help in an emergency, the difference between treatment and grave bodily harm can come down to a couple gallons of gasoline. Similarly, headlamps, flashlights and radios all play a role in safety and batteries can make or break a critical moment.

Our energy resource program covers 5 gallon propane tank exchange, gasoline, batteries, and occasionally firewood. Empty propane tanks are swapped for full ones, gas cans are filled and returned to their owners, batteries are given by request, and scrap firewood is delivered during cold months.

What Makes Us different ?