by Kirby Lindsay, posted 28 November 2012
For those living on the edge of poverty, the holiday season may look much more grim than jolly. The increasingly cold weather raises electric and heating bills. Humans eat more in fall/winter and raise the grocery bill. Then there are the traditional stressors of the season that can make the yawning abyss feel more desperate than ever.
The following list of resources is intended to give struggling Fremonsters options for meeting the very, most basic of needs, to keep the family (and yourself) fed, clothed and sheltered through the long, dark months of winter.
Food
The FamilyWorks Food Bank, www.familyworksseattle.org, distributes groceries, once a week, to those living in the 98103, 98107, 98115, and 98133 zip codes. Located at 1501 N 45th St, it operates Tuesdays from Noon – 2p, Thursdays, 3p – 7p, Fridays, 11a – 1p, and the 3rd Saturday of each month from 10a – Noon.
The Ballard Food Bank, www.ballardfoodbank.org, serves those living in the 98107, 98117, 98119 and 98199 zip codes. Located at 5130 Leary Ave NW, it dispenses groceries on Tuesdays from 11a – 6p, Wednesday, 11a – 3p, Thursdays, 11a – 3p, and Saturdays from 11a – 3p.
Homeless people, or anyone without a permanent address, can access any food bank – regardless of zip code – and more than once a week.
To enjoy a warm, prepared meal, among friends, attend the Community Dinner held every Wednesday at 5p at the Doric Lodge #92. This free meal is one of four held around North Seattle (see the list at www.communitydinners.com) and is open to anyone.
Beyond Being Fed
FamilyWorks and the Ballard Food Bank also offer other basic support and assistance. FamilyWorks, however, focuses on giving aid for low-income families. FamilyWorks Director Jake Weber said that families in distress can stop by the offices, or call 206/694-6727, for assistance – even outside food bank hours.
For the children, FamilyWorks offers a children’s clothing bank, toys, books and diapers. Parents can also access parenting classes, playgroups, life skills development and single parent activities.
FamilyWorks also employs a Family Advocate, Virginia Gonzales, who can sit with a family to identify resources for solving struggles. Call her for an appointment on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday morning at 206/694-6730.
Shelter
Upstairs from FamilyWorks, Solid Ground can help with shelter, transitional housing, permanent housing and homeless prevention services. Access these services by calling 2-1-1 from anywhere within King County, or on the Washington Information Network 2-1-1 website (at www.resourcehouse.com/WIN211) for a list of services.
The Solid Ground programs that can be accessed directly are:
- The Tenant Hotline – for rental questions, and landlord/tenant issues – at 206/694-6767 on Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 10:30a – 4:30p
- The Mortgage Counseling Hotline – for issues related to foreclosures, etc. – at 206/694-6766 on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday from 7a – 7p
- Legal Aid – to get or maintain public benefits – at 206/694-6742
Solid Ground cannot provide walk-in services. However, their website offers many other specific resources, at www.solid-ground.org
Clothing
For clothing, blankets, and case management, homeless individuals can visit The Bridge Care Center, located at 1516 NW 51st (in Magnolia,) on Tuesdays from 2p – 6p, Thursdays 10a – 2p, and the 1st & 3rd Saturdays of the month from 10a – 2p. A ministry of Quest Church, contact The Bridge by phone at 206/789-0220
Work & Education
WorkSource, at www.worksourceskc.org, provide a long list of services for those looking to get to work. Located at 2024 – 3rd Ave (2nd Fl), those in need can call 206/436-8600 for directions to the office – including the numerous bus route options.
WorkSource offers programs to assist people back to work – including basic computer skills, GED prep classes, ESL classes, and resume writing. The HIP program aims directly at assisting homeless to find work, and a more stable situation, by including assistance with transportation and clothing obstacles. The HIP orientation takes place on Tuesdays, from 10a – 11a.
Literacy Source also offers classes for those needing help – either in general or in English – to find work. Located in Fremont, at 720 N 34th, the Literacy Source website, at www.literacy-source.org, gives class schedules for ESL, GED prep, basic computer skills, and in literacy and math. They also help with citizenship, and/or match clients with an advisor to help form educational goals.
Other educational opportunities are:
- A 16-week culinary arts program, offered by FareStart, for homeless/disadvantaged people can lead right into a job at graduation. Find out more at the orientation meeting held each Tuesday at 9:30a at 700 Virginia St.
- North Seattle Community College offers classes, either towards a degree or increasing marketable skills, and they have counselors ready to help with financial aid. Find out more on-line at northseattle.edu/admissions/steps, or on campus at 9600 College Way N
Seattle Tilth also offers classes on learning to grow food in your garden – and be more sustainable. Find out more at 206/633-0451, or seattletilth.org/learn/classes-and-workshops/adultclassessorted
Childcare
For getting children on a gift list, like the University Village Giving Tree, registration closes very soon. Contact the Wallingford Boys & Girls Club at 206/547-7261 or 1310 N 45th St with specific information on the child – age, wish list, sizes, etc. – before December 1st. Generally they serve Boys & Girls Club members, but talk to Wally Boys staff about a one-time exception.
Membership in the Wallingford Boys & Girls Club provides great, inexpensive childcare options – and costs $36 a year, per child, with scholarships available. During the school year, the club is open for free, drop-in programs from 2p – 7p for children in Kindergarten through High School. During Winter & Summer Breaks (except Dec 24th, 25th, and 31st) the free drop-in program operates from Noon – 6p. Extended care, from 7a – Noon, is available for $25 per day, with payment plans available.
The Wallingford Boys & Girls Club also offers day care, at B.F. Day and four other area schools. Visit the website for more information, at www.wallingfordboysandgirlsclub.org, including pricing, for these programs.
Assistance paying for childcare can also be found through the City of Seattle Human Services Department – at www.seattle.gov/humanservices -along with a lot of other basic needs assistance.
Health Care
The 45th Street Clinic, at 1629 N 45th St (206/633-3350,) now operates as a part of Neighborcare Health. This clinic provides medical, dental and mental health services. They also operate the Greenwood Medical Clinic at 415 N 85th St (206/782-8660) and the Ballard Homeless Medical Clinic at 5710 – 22nd Ave NW (206/782-5939.) Learn more about Neighborhcare Health services at www.neighborcare.org
Other medical & dental health assistance can be found at:
- Public Health Dental Clinic at 12359 Lake City Way NE, 206/205-8580 and
- Public Health Medical at 10501 Meridian Ave N, 206/296-4765 (more info at www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/locations)
Holiday Meal
Another great resource is the Phinney Neighborhood Center. Among their other programs, they will serve a Christmas Holiday Lunch on Wednesday, December 19th starting at Noon (doors open at 11a.) For more on the programs of the PNA, visit http://www.phinneycenter.org/news/ or call 206/783-2244.
Whatever circumstances you find yourself in this holiday season, please remember that if you need help – ask. People want to help, and when seen with many eyes, things may look much less dire.
Also, if you have help to offer, please give. If you know of local services not listed here, please let Fremocentrist.com know for future lists, at instigator@box2219.temp.domains
And, for those who can, considering giving your time or money to assist your neighbors through one of the organizations included here. They all do, daily, help our neighbors!
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©2012 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.