My dad likes it when I update the thermometer. With some hours I've put in, a big donation he sent to an orphanage they support in Africa, and the Briefcase Relay I talked some friends in to running tomorrow (in support of the foodbank)... the thermometer has just surpassed $28,000. That's a really crazy huge number. 39% of that is real dollars- which is still a crazy huge number.
Hopefully there will be photos from the briefcase relay- there will be costumes. Wish us luck!
Showing posts with label hunger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hunger. Show all posts
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Monday, December 30, 2013
In the Spirit of the Season
How ironic that my most recent post was about having more time than money. Long story short, I quickly got a new job, and in addition to learning the ropes at the new gig, my volunteer work with HiveBio has been taking up a lot of my mental energy. And then it was the holidays.
This year, my family decided to draw names for gift giving, which reduced the number of adults we needed to get gifts for tremendously. This, all by itself, is awesome, since I didn't have shopping anxiety to contend with. But even better, most of my family members requested donations for Christmas. How cool is that? So, I donated to the Red Cross for my grandmother, and Northwest Harvest for my mother-in-law. I drew my brother's name, and donated to Child's Play (an organization that provides toys and video games to kids in hospitals). He donated to Northwest Harvest AND Friends of Youth. My sister-in-law also donated to Northwest Harvest on behalf of my mom. By my estimate, about $400 were gifted to charity for the holidays.
And while I haven't been blogging, the thermometer keeps inching it's way up. We surpassed the 60% mark, and are approaching $20,000!
This year, my family decided to draw names for gift giving, which reduced the number of adults we needed to get gifts for tremendously. This, all by itself, is awesome, since I didn't have shopping anxiety to contend with. But even better, most of my family members requested donations for Christmas. How cool is that? So, I donated to the Red Cross for my grandmother, and Northwest Harvest for my mother-in-law. I drew my brother's name, and donated to Child's Play (an organization that provides toys and video games to kids in hospitals). He donated to Northwest Harvest AND Friends of Youth. My sister-in-law also donated to Northwest Harvest on behalf of my mom. By my estimate, about $400 were gifted to charity for the holidays.
And while I haven't been blogging, the thermometer keeps inching it's way up. We surpassed the 60% mark, and are approaching $20,000!
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Dinner to the Shelter
I took dinner to the Landing again last night. A few thoughts:
Last night, it took me long enough to lay out dinner (Belezean Stew Chicken, Rice and Beans, salad and cookies) that there were some people lining up to come in when I left. They said thanks for bringing dinner.
I remain surprised that the people who come to stay at the shelter don't look homeless to me. They don't look rich. They don't look like they have anywhere else to be. But they are wearing clean clothes, have brushed their hair, and look a little down. They hang together in small groups. They are young. They are polite, and quiet. I'm relieved that they don't look like the long-term homeless I walk by every day in Seattle. But this is part of their problem- they don't really look, outright, like people who need help.
It aches my heart to think about how different my own life would have needed to be, and how different my life is, than these kids. It's complicated for me, but I take it to heart that the staff says a warm meal makes a big difference for them. I want something better for the homeless youth, and if a warm meal helps, I can provide that.
- crock pots are awesome for large meals.
- it may not be possible to cook more than 1 lb of rice at once without burning some of it
- using the "hostess food guide estimations" for how much people eat at a party does not translate well to estimating the food needed for the food insecure. 6 oz of meat and 2 ounces of starch is a good rule of thumb for a cocktail party, but not really for people who might only eat one real meal a day.
Last night, it took me long enough to lay out dinner (Belezean Stew Chicken, Rice and Beans, salad and cookies) that there were some people lining up to come in when I left. They said thanks for bringing dinner.
I remain surprised that the people who come to stay at the shelter don't look homeless to me. They don't look rich. They don't look like they have anywhere else to be. But they are wearing clean clothes, have brushed their hair, and look a little down. They hang together in small groups. They are young. They are polite, and quiet. I'm relieved that they don't look like the long-term homeless I walk by every day in Seattle. But this is part of their problem- they don't really look, outright, like people who need help.
It aches my heart to think about how different my own life would have needed to be, and how different my life is, than these kids. It's complicated for me, but I take it to heart that the staff says a warm meal makes a big difference for them. I want something better for the homeless youth, and if a warm meal helps, I can provide that.
Monday, July 22, 2013
What a Great Birthday!
I have the best friends and family ever. Seriously. I'm still so excited about all the good stuff yinz did for my big day.
First things first: we shattered the 30% mark! 31.5% is the official high water mark as of my birthday!
Is it crass to talk numbers? I don't really care. For my actual birthday, my awesome friends and family helped me to push up the thermometer nearly $900- nearly 3% of the way there! In one day!
So let's break it down. I had TWO friends go in for their very first blood donations, thanks Karen and Ruth! Both of them said it was not terrible, that people were very friendly and they got to eat cookies. You should try this.
My parents gave another donation to one of my favorite teachers on Donor's Choose who is moving to a new classroom and needs (choke) pencils for her third grade students who can't afford their own pencils and crayons. Ms. Kacsur's classroom has been supported by my folks in the past, someday soon I hope to scan in some of the thank you cards I got from her students. *misty eyes*
AND my parents gave me some hats to take to Friends of Youth (you may be wondering if generosity is hereditary: I believe it is a learned behavior). Combined with the lamps and tent from Karen, I'm ready to take quite a haul to the Friend's of Youth office up the hill from me, to distribute these items to foster, at risk and homeless youth.
My parents ALSO gave some money to Northwest Harvest, the regional food bank. It both infuriates and inspires me that there can be people in America who would go hungry, if it weren't for the work of food banks like Northwest Harvest. I'm glad to finally get them up on the board.
I'm so glad to support Northwest Harvest, in fact, that I asked my friends to participate in a game of "skill" at my birthday party. We opened a pool for ladder golf, and planned to split the pool between the winner and Northwest harvest. This resulted in both some friendly rivalry AND $80 for Northwest Harvest. Aren't my friends awesome??
I had a great time, and I really can't think of a better way to spend the day. Thanks to my friends to hung out with me, supported the causes I care about, and generally made me feel awesome about turning 30.
First things first: we shattered the 30% mark! 31.5% is the official high water mark as of my birthday!
Is it crass to talk numbers? I don't really care. For my actual birthday, my awesome friends and family helped me to push up the thermometer nearly $900- nearly 3% of the way there! In one day!
So let's break it down. I had TWO friends go in for their very first blood donations, thanks Karen and Ruth! Both of them said it was not terrible, that people were very friendly and they got to eat cookies. You should try this.
My parents gave another donation to one of my favorite teachers on Donor's Choose who is moving to a new classroom and needs (choke) pencils for her third grade students who can't afford their own pencils and crayons. Ms. Kacsur's classroom has been supported by my folks in the past, someday soon I hope to scan in some of the thank you cards I got from her students. *misty eyes*
AND my parents gave me some hats to take to Friends of Youth (you may be wondering if generosity is hereditary: I believe it is a learned behavior). Combined with the lamps and tent from Karen, I'm ready to take quite a haul to the Friend's of Youth office up the hill from me, to distribute these items to foster, at risk and homeless youth.
My parents ALSO gave some money to Northwest Harvest, the regional food bank. It both infuriates and inspires me that there can be people in America who would go hungry, if it weren't for the work of food banks like Northwest Harvest. I'm glad to finally get them up on the board.
I'm so glad to support Northwest Harvest, in fact, that I asked my friends to participate in a game of "skill" at my birthday party. We opened a pool for ladder golf, and planned to split the pool between the winner and Northwest harvest. This resulted in both some friendly rivalry AND $80 for Northwest Harvest. Aren't my friends awesome??
I had a great time, and I really can't think of a better way to spend the day. Thanks to my friends to hung out with me, supported the causes I care about, and generally made me feel awesome about turning 30.
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| Before the SummeRun 5K. It might take me longer than 10 minutes. |
Friday, June 21, 2013
Dinner Donor
Just dropping a line here to say that I did take dinner to the Landing last night. Things worked out that I didn't have much help (except for a clutch moment where Matt helped me slice peaches so I could get a crisp into the oven before the lasagna). Since it was pouring buckets, they were expecting a pretty full house, and warm lasagna seemed like the right thing to bring. While it's neat to feel like I can cook for 15 people by myself, it was way more fun when I had help.
There were lots of staff hanging around at my delivery (there was a basketball game on?), and I am super curious about who these people are. They always act like I'm bringing them something really special- like it's the best stuff they've seen all week. By the time dinner is loaded into my car, I'm always very self conscious: Four lasagnas and 24 rolls. What do normal people eat for dinner? I'm sure they've been told that little bit of enthusiasm makes volunteers like me really happy to come by. What can I say, it works.
There were lots of staff hanging around at my delivery (there was a basketball game on?), and I am super curious about who these people are. They always act like I'm bringing them something really special- like it's the best stuff they've seen all week. By the time dinner is loaded into my car, I'm always very self conscious: Four lasagnas and 24 rolls. What do normal people eat for dinner? I'm sure they've been told that little bit of enthusiasm makes volunteers like me really happy to come by. What can I say, it works.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Dinner to the Landing
Matt and I took dinner to The Landing for the Friends of Youth Shelter again tonight. Dinner for 15 homeless young adults (18-24). Our first time was pretty eye opening, actually. I'm not sure what I thought to expect, but I wasn't exactly prepared.
The Landing is, during the day, a youth center or something. It's clearly a space that is used for other things; it's an office in a strip mall. And at night time, when we showed up at 8:30 to deliver dinner, they start dragging mattresses out to cover the floor. We arrived a few mintures early to get assembled- I'm not sure if I was afraid that the yuppie guests would diss my cooking, or that starving hoards would try to steal my donation, but mostly I wanted to get it right. When we arrived (at the office space in the strip mall not far from the movie theatre we sometimes go to), there was no one there. I wondered if I had brought too many lasagnas. We dodged the mattresses being dragged out by the (college aged) volunteers, and assembed dinner in the kitchen.
While we were arranging salads and things, people started to knock at the door. On the door, there is a schedule: 8:30 Line-up and Registry. 8:45 Lottery and Dinner.... What I like about this shelter/organization is that they make an effort to connect people to other services that they might need. What wigs me out about this shelter is that they might not have space for everyone who needs it. And that the Vista Volunteer who is barely 24 might have to tell someone his own age that there is no bed and he has to sleep in the street. That thought made the experience all too real.
I had briefly pondered staying for dinner- acknowledging the humanity of my neighbors who just don't have a home tonight, breaking bread and sharing encouragement. But I couldn't do it. I was struck by the need, the complete need, that would drive a person to an emergency shelter- you have no home, no family and friends to land on, no money to make your own way, and possibly no clear path to change that. In the few hours (~12) that people stay at the shelter they are warm, fed, and connected with people who might be able to help them solve the very real problems they are facing. Making small talk with someone who is self-conscious about her cooking is probably not the best use of anyone's time.
BUT, having a warm meal provided frees up the staff/volunteers to focus on helping the people who show up. And providing a meal as just some private citizen is a gesture to say that I still think of these people as my neighbors (even if my notoriously awkward ability to converse with strangers prevents me from being social in these circumstances). Bringing dinner feels like the best way for me to help- not that it is all the help that these people need, but it is probably the best thing that I can do.
The Landing is, during the day, a youth center or something. It's clearly a space that is used for other things; it's an office in a strip mall. And at night time, when we showed up at 8:30 to deliver dinner, they start dragging mattresses out to cover the floor. We arrived a few mintures early to get assembled- I'm not sure if I was afraid that the yuppie guests would diss my cooking, or that starving hoards would try to steal my donation, but mostly I wanted to get it right. When we arrived (at the office space in the strip mall not far from the movie theatre we sometimes go to), there was no one there. I wondered if I had brought too many lasagnas. We dodged the mattresses being dragged out by the (college aged) volunteers, and assembed dinner in the kitchen.
While we were arranging salads and things, people started to knock at the door. On the door, there is a schedule: 8:30 Line-up and Registry. 8:45 Lottery and Dinner.... What I like about this shelter/organization is that they make an effort to connect people to other services that they might need. What wigs me out about this shelter is that they might not have space for everyone who needs it. And that the Vista Volunteer who is barely 24 might have to tell someone his own age that there is no bed and he has to sleep in the street. That thought made the experience all too real.
I had briefly pondered staying for dinner- acknowledging the humanity of my neighbors who just don't have a home tonight, breaking bread and sharing encouragement. But I couldn't do it. I was struck by the need, the complete need, that would drive a person to an emergency shelter- you have no home, no family and friends to land on, no money to make your own way, and possibly no clear path to change that. In the few hours (~12) that people stay at the shelter they are warm, fed, and connected with people who might be able to help them solve the very real problems they are facing. Making small talk with someone who is self-conscious about her cooking is probably not the best use of anyone's time.
BUT, having a warm meal provided frees up the staff/volunteers to focus on helping the people who show up. And providing a meal as just some private citizen is a gesture to say that I still think of these people as my neighbors (even if my notoriously awkward ability to converse with strangers prevents me from being social in these circumstances). Bringing dinner feels like the best way for me to help- not that it is all the help that these people need, but it is probably the best thing that I can do.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Feeding the Hungry
Tomorrow, I am making dinner for 15 homeless youth. I'm so nervous/excited.
Several of the projects I've been able to support so far have been really fun. So much fun, that arguable, it's not much of a sacrifice to help them out. Yeah, spend a day talking with students about thier awesome science? Eat girl scout cookies? Yeah, I'm a real hero. But I was looking for a way to get involved with some issues that are frankly harder to deal with. Feeding the hungry. Giving shelter to the poor. I learned really quickly that because there is no easy fix for homelessness, organizations that deal with these issues need a real commitment. You can't just pop into the soup kitchen and see if they need help ladling.
I also started learning a lot more about the actual problem of youth homelessness in my own community. I'm going to need a few blog posts to cover this, but the quick summary is that even though I live in a privaledged suburb, people, included young adults and children, regularly deal with homelessness (and hunger) here. Ugh.
I will confess to being an absolute bleeding heart liberal. We live in the most privileged country on earth. People shouldn't go hungry. And people (especially kids) should have a safe place to sleep. Even a home.
Up the street from me is a building that is being converted to a Friends of Youth Shelter. Friends of Youth provides therapeutic foster care and emergency shelters and services for youth and young adults. The new building is going to be shelter for transitional housing for kids graduating out of the foster system. I started learning about the really great things that Friends of Youth does for youth and families on the Eastside, and I thought they really are the kind of organization I want to help. They provide a lot of support and connect clients to a variety of services to help with the transition out of homelessness.
One of the ways that they need help is providing meals at a young adult shelter. The Landing provides emergency housing (and dinner, and breakfast, and showers and laundry) for 15 adults from 18-24. They can also connect them with other services, like counseling, medical help or even education. This is really important stuff!
So important, that even though I am terribly hesitant to cook for people I don't know especially well (or at all), I decided to start volunteering to bring dinner to The Landing. After we get this first run off the ground, I'll see how often is realistic to volunteer. I've been SO nervous about this, but I expect that as it becomes routine, I'll feel less nervous.
Several of the projects I've been able to support so far have been really fun. So much fun, that arguable, it's not much of a sacrifice to help them out. Yeah, spend a day talking with students about thier awesome science? Eat girl scout cookies? Yeah, I'm a real hero. But I was looking for a way to get involved with some issues that are frankly harder to deal with. Feeding the hungry. Giving shelter to the poor. I learned really quickly that because there is no easy fix for homelessness, organizations that deal with these issues need a real commitment. You can't just pop into the soup kitchen and see if they need help ladling.
I also started learning a lot more about the actual problem of youth homelessness in my own community. I'm going to need a few blog posts to cover this, but the quick summary is that even though I live in a privaledged suburb, people, included young adults and children, regularly deal with homelessness (and hunger) here. Ugh.
I will confess to being an absolute bleeding heart liberal. We live in the most privileged country on earth. People shouldn't go hungry. And people (especially kids) should have a safe place to sleep. Even a home.
Up the street from me is a building that is being converted to a Friends of Youth Shelter. Friends of Youth provides therapeutic foster care and emergency shelters and services for youth and young adults. The new building is going to be shelter for transitional housing for kids graduating out of the foster system. I started learning about the really great things that Friends of Youth does for youth and families on the Eastside, and I thought they really are the kind of organization I want to help. They provide a lot of support and connect clients to a variety of services to help with the transition out of homelessness.
One of the ways that they need help is providing meals at a young adult shelter. The Landing provides emergency housing (and dinner, and breakfast, and showers and laundry) for 15 adults from 18-24. They can also connect them with other services, like counseling, medical help or even education. This is really important stuff!
So important, that even though I am terribly hesitant to cook for people I don't know especially well (or at all), I decided to start volunteering to bring dinner to The Landing. After we get this first run off the ground, I'll see how often is realistic to volunteer. I've been SO nervous about this, but I expect that as it becomes routine, I'll feel less nervous.
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