Remember when you were in junior high and had a substitute teacher. There were typically a couple of students who believed they could fool the sub with outlandish descriptions of “how we always do it”. The two were both at Neighbors in Need this morning. “But I always take more than two salads! I give them to people on the streets.” Response from the smiling, smart-as-a-teacher volunteer, “Today you can have two. Be sure to invite your friends on the street to come with you next Saturday,”
Another try……… “But I want to go to my storage unit in Mountlake Terrace. Someone needs to give me a ride.” The volunteer’s schoolteacher-firm response? “Volunteers don’t give rides.” No way to debate that certainty.
Then there are our typical guests. A Neighbor who had arrived very early had gone around the property and picked up trash. Another Neighbor who saw us loading a cart with a carload of supplies, took over the task. He was more than welcome to doing the heavy transfer. Our morning ended with a Neighbor who was on his hands and knees, cleaning some sort of white stains of the multi-purpose room floor. Neighbors like these are why we volunteer.
It was a good morning to welcome the team from St Philopateer and St Demiana Coptic Orthodox Congregation. They prepared burritos for an unusually large crowd. Because we were a bit short of regular volunteers this morning, the St Philopateer and St Demiana team helped in several areas as well as their regular serving in the clothing area. Once again, they brought four huge totes full of new clothing. We thank you for your company and we speak for our grateful Neighbors to thank you for the clothing.
Donovan, an absolutely adorable and flirtatious 11-month-old visited us this morning. He and his parents are not homeless, but at risk. He and his mom came to learn about prevention resources. What a pleasure to help them stay ahead.
The pantry was busy as always. They served 90 plus grocery bags and 4 family boxes. God knew Donovan would visit. We even had an available supply of toddler-age baby food. That’s a first.
Thank you to Advocates Recovery Services for sandwiches, coffee and cookies (plus medical care), to Franz bakery for a selection of breads, and to Edmonds Food Bank for their weekly abundant giving.
We are blessed
Joan
For NiN leadership
