Thank You, Seattle!

This past week was a wonderful week of service, community and reflection for the PVs in Seattle. The days were full, the weather was great, and by the end of the week I think we all were a good tired. Thank you to the organizations we worked with, for your hospitality and inspiring work. Below is a list of the organizations and links to their sites so you can read about the amazing work they do all year. If you are in Seattle and interested in helping out, please let me know and I can link you up. And finally, thank you to the volunteers who joined us and for all those who have supported us. You are the best!

Community Meal - The community meal is a monthly, free sit-down meal held at OLG (Our Lady of Guadalupe) in the Walmesley Center/Gymnasium. Everyone in the community is invited to attend. It is conducted ‘restaurant style’ where the guests are served at their tables. The goal is to provide a hot meal once a month for those in our community, in particular for those who may not regularly have a hot meal. Inviting the whole community provides a way for all of us to share a meal and conversation together. OLG receives additional volunteers from other West Seattle churches and service groups (youth and adult).

St. Francis House - St. Francis House is established in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi to be a presence in Seattle to serve those in need and to inspire simplicity and charity in its volunteers and those they serve.

Nature Consortium - Nature Consortium is a grassroots, community-based organization whose mission is to connect people, arts and nature. We produce a Youth Art Program, an Urban Forest Restoration Program and the Arts in Nature Festival.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Peace Garden -  It is a place to grow produce for Lettuce Pray, a local program that donates fresh produce to the White Center and West Seattle Food Banks during the growing season. In addition, a labyrinth has been constructed to provide a place of prayer and reflection for not only our parish but for the larger community.

Operation Sack Lunch - Sack Lunch is a meal and basic necessities provider serving the un-housed, no and low income, food insecure children, women, and men, who call Seattle their home. We are a grassroots project that began in 1989 with 30 lunches in the kitchen of founder, Singer / Song Writer, Beverly Graham.

Union Gospel Mission - Seattle's Union Gospel Mission provides emergency care and long-term recovery services to hurting and homeless people in the greater Seattle area.

Low Income Housing Institute - The Low Income Housing Institute develops, owns and operates housing for the benefit of low-income, homeless and formerly homeless people in Washington state; advocates for just housing policies at the local and national levels; and administers a range of supportive service programs to assist those we serve in maintaining stable housing and increasing their self-sufficiency.

Westside Baby - We are the only social service agency in West King county area that collects, inspects and distributes free diapers, clothing, cribs and safety gear for babies and children. More than 120 local social service agencies, including shelters and food banks, rely upon us to provide critical necessities for low-income families.