CORE

COMMITTEE

Major Jim Baker

Jo Clark

Joe Myall

Sally Santana

COMMUNITY

MEMBERS

Rev. Marta Schellberg and

Bremerton United Methodist Church

Monica Downen

Kirsten Jewell

Kitsap Interfaith Network

Gina Glynn

Susan Brown (photographer)

Daniel Frederick

Barb Malich

Joe Roszak

Patti Peterson

Kurt Wiest

Olympic College SING program

Sen. Christine Rolfes

November

13 through 19

2011

Hunger and Homelessness

Awareness Week in Kitsap County ~ 2011 ~

2011 marked the third year that the Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week committee arranged a variety of events designed to educate the community on, raise the visibility of, and provide assistance to, those without a home in Kitsap County.

We’ve established several annual events inside our Week; they are described in this report. Note that we are a grassroots group ~ everything required to create and carry out these events comes from individuals and the community; there is no funding from grants or organizations.

Many thanks to all of you who volunteered at these events, participated in them, helped to cover their costs, and make Kitsap County a safer, healthier and happier place to live for all its citizens.

The Calendar

Sunday, Nov. 13: Many faith leaders focused their services around the issues of hunger and homelessness.

Monday, Nov. 14: Warm for Winter outer wear blessing.

Wednesday, Nov. 16: “Empowering People - Repairing Our Safety Net” conference.

Thursday, Nov. 17: The Olympic College SING (Students In Need Group) Connect.

“Dine Out To End Hunger”

Friday, Nov. 18: “Lunch With The Electeds”

“Outside Over Night” .

Saturday, Nov. 19: “Fine Dining Fundraiser” for The Salvation Army.

P A G E 2

“Kitsap County is

very fortunate to

have so many of

its citizens

dedicated to the

safety and success

of its neighbors.”

Sally Santana

Wednesday ~ The Conference

Monday ~ Warm for Winter For months, individuals and community groups had been crafting hats and scarves, and others collecting gloves, mittens, and gently worn coats, to help provide some comfort from the cold weather. These items came together at Bremerton United Methodist Church where its pastor, Rev. Marta Schellberg, The Salvation Army’s Major Jim Baker, and Warm for Winter creator Janice Tufte, blessed the clothing into service (see cover page).

Several hundred items were blessed. Those homeless in attendance took what they needed and the rest were given out at Project Connect.

A couple dozen or so homeless persons, crafters and others received a hot, nutritious and filling lunch, prepared and served by church members, before

heading out.

“Empowering People - Repairing Our Safety Net” was this year’s theme, and it struck a chord. Over 80 participants listened to keynote speaker state Sen. Christine Rolfes (right), and a brief review of the status of our safety net by experts in their fields, such as Patti Peterson from Bremerton Foodline, Joe Roszak, exec. dir. of Kitsap Mental Health Services, and Barb Malich, exec. dir. of Peninsula Commu-nity Health Services. They then broke into workgroups to name a

project they would tackle to help patch up our community safety net. We were guided by facilitator Kirsten Jewell (upper left).

Six groups were formed: Shelter, Transportation, Info/Resources/Volunteer, Affordable Housing, Health, Food/Hunger/Nutrition.

Several of the groups came back three months later to discuss what they’d accomplished or what was still in progress, to help hold the most vulnerable of our community together.

Thursday ~ Olympic College “Connect”

P A G E 3

Thursday ~ “Dine Out To End Hunger”

Friday ~ “Lunch With The Electeds” Twice a year we bring together the low-income/homeless with the elected officials who make

the laws and ordinances they live by, and give both a chance to discuss issues and share resource

information.

Hundreds of students and community members came by the OC Connect to look for

assistance with student needs like textbooks, tuition, childcare, etc. Also help for rent, utilities,

food, medical needs, gas/transportation, clothing...everything it takes to survive and thrive.

Thanks to the leadership of Monica Downen of Monica’s

Waterfront Bakery and Cafe in Old Town Silverdale, we did our first

event to benefit our community free meal sites. Over $1400 was

given by thirteen restaurants/stores (they gave a percentage of a

day’s income. Some gave 1% up to 25%) to eight sites facing

overwhelming need. We’re doing it again this year, along with some

“fine tuning” to allow more places to participate.

Below, Joe Roszak of Kitsap

Mental Health discusses local is-

sues with Alexis Oliver from the

Governor’s Office, and Major Baker

Friday ~ “Outside Overnight” Fundraiser for Sally’s Camp This was a fundraiser (pledges for time spent outdoors, overnight) for The

Salvation Army’s “Sally’s Camp” (no relation to Sally Santana), a full-time 24/7 shelter

for families and couples for the winter months. With matching funds from the Willow

Fund, we raised over $5,500 for this cause.

Bremerton Rescue

Mission had both their mobile

meal truck and shower unit on

site for overnighters (left).

In this picture (right) is

Loren from Harrison Medical

Center and Sally. Also participating was MaryAnn Smith

with Pastor Art’s “Taking It To The Streets Ministries”, and her dog.

Saturday ~ Fundraising Luncheon for The Salvation Army Navy cooks prepared a meal of country-style ribs, BBQ

beans, cornbread, salad and dessert for this love-offering fund

raiser for The Salvation Army. This was the first time ribs had been

served there, according to Major Baker. Approx. $500 was raised

to support the many services they provide to those in Kitsap

County.

Among the many helpers for the

lunch were state Sen. Derek Kilmer (left), the

Kingston Rotary, and Bremerton City

Councilman Nick Wofford.

Music was provided by

Rick Cortes (below).

A clean-shaven Major Baker

was happy with the overflowing

love-offering kettle. The next Hunger and Homelessness

Awareness Week in Kitsap County

is Nov. 11 through 17, 2012

PAGE 4