How Can I Help?

So I’m sitting here in my house with icicles hanging from the gutters, but at least the heat is on.  I have at least four clean blankets per person and I’m wearing two sweatshirts.  As I think about the families in Woodinville losing their power, I also start to think about the homeless that are out in this weather.

What can I do to help the homeless?  Well, Seattle Union Gospel Mission has made it easy.  If you go onto their Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/SeattlesUGM - you will see that they have created an Amazon Wish List in which you can purchase blankets that will be given to the homeless.

Another way to help from the comfort of your home is to give to the local Eastside Homeless outreach groups – Sophia Way.org, Congregations for the Homeless (cfhomeless.org), Vets Edge.org. These are local organizations serving the homeless population on the eastside. National organizations such as the YWCA, Salvation Army, and United Way also have local outlets in East King County. There are many more organizations that serve the homeless, so feel free to add your favorites in the comments section.

If you are adventurous and like to drive your 4WD in the snow, Tent City is moving from Issaquah to Kirkland this weekend (I haven’t heard any updates if they are changing the date due to the snow). They always need people with trucks to help on moving day.  Click here for info - http://tentcity4.info/2012/01/tent-city-4-moving-day-wish-list-jan-12/#more-1108

If you know someone who is homeless or needs resources, ask them to call 211 or visit - http://www.211kingcounty.org/  The front page has a link for Severe Weather Shelters.

I pray that those without power will get it restored soon. I also pray that there will be enough room in the shelters for the homeless and that they will not be turned away.