Outreach Ministries
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Congregations for the Homeless
 Each
night during July, St. Thomas is transformed into a shelter for 30 men
who are making the transition to permanent housing. (This is the only
shelter for single men on the Eastside.) We provide a place to sleep,
three meals, and all the supplies they need.
In the evenings, the men
meet with case managers and life coaches, and attend a variety of
classes. To remain in the program, they each commit to following a plan
that will lead to permanent housing and a productive life as part of a
community.
To host the men each July, we count on parishioners to:
Forgot when you signed up to bring a meal? Check the
online calendar
here!
Providing Breakfast or Lunch
The men fix their own breakfasts and lunches, so all you need to do
is bring enough food for 30 men. You can drop off your items in the
kitchen at St. Thomas a day or two before the day you’ve signed up for,
anytime between 8:30 am and 5 pm.
To sign up for a meal,
Tammy Waddell (425-765-9437), Jessie Waddell (425-698-9282) or Claudia Ballheim (425-398-9829).
You can see available dates on our online
meal calendar here.
Breakfast
Bring food that’s easy to prepare and appropriate for breakfast, such
as:
- Milk (2 gallons are consumed each day)
- Cereal or oatmeal
- Toaster pastries
- Granola bars or cereal bars
- Bananas and other fruit
- Yogurt
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Whole-wheat bread
- Butter
- Anything else that is easy to prepare
Downloadable
instructions -- Breakfast
Lunch
The men make their own brown-bag lunches early in the morning before
they leave and take them with them when they leave for the day. Choose
items that are easy to prepare, portable, and can last a few hours without
refrigeration.
- Sandwich meat
- Cheese
- Whole-wheat bread
- Fruit (apples, bananas, grapes)
- Granola bars or cereal bars
- Yogurt
- Beverages (cans of pop, juice packs)
- Bottled water
Downloadable
instructions -- Lunch
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Preparing dinner
Dinner is the one meal that the men eat in the Great Hall. We ask
that you provide a hot dinner, which you can warm up or cook in the
kitchen. People often team up to bring food. Consider asking friends or
neighbors to partner with you in bringing and serving dinner. Feel free
to join the men for dinner or simply hang out and chat. Sharing a meal
can be a blessing to both them and you.
Please bring enough to feed 30 men. The church opens at 7 pm
nightly. You can cook dinner on premises or bring prepared food before
the men enter to eat at 7:30.
To sign up for a meal,
Tammy Waddell (425-765-9437), Jessie Waddell (425-698-9282), or Claudia
Ballheim (425-398-9829). You can see available dates on our online
meal calendar here.
Downloadable instructions
What to prepare
- A main dish to feed about 30 men. If possible, the dish should
include some meat or other protein. Some favorites are:
- Pizza
- Roasted chicken
- Mexican food
- BBQ
- Pasta
- Casserole (three or four 9x13-inch pans can feed all 30 men)
- Salad or side dish, such as veggies, potato salad, or other
starch
- Bread, such as dinner rolls or garlic bread
- Fruit for dessert, or frozen fruit pops or yogurt
- Beverages (tea, lemonade, cans of pop)
- Bottled water
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Providing Shelter Supplies
In addition to food, the men need a number of items during their
stay. If you can provide any of these, please put them in the boxes
labeled “Congregations for Homeless” in the Great Hall and office, or
leave them in the kitchen in a bag or box that’s clearly labeled.
Downloadable instructions
Paper products
- Bowls & plates
- Plastic utensils
- Plastic cups (12-16 oz.)
- Coffee cups (6 oz.)
- Napkins
- Stir sticks
- Toothpicks
- Paper lunch bags
- Sandwich bags
- Aluminum foil
- Stretch wrap
- Coffee filters (4 ˝ x 2 5/8)
Beverages
- Milk
- Juice
- Juice packs
- Canned beverages
- Hot chocolate pack
- Tea bags
- Coffee (2 lb. cans)
- Creamer
Cleaning supplies
- Garbage bags (large & small)
- Paper towels
- Dish soap
- Comet
- Lysol
- Mop
- Air freshener
Condiments
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayonnaise
- Relish
- Margarine
- Salad dressing
- Sugar
- Equal packets
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Serving as Host
Hosts are responsible for unlocking the Great Hall around 7 pm,
greeting the men, and waiting until the shelter manager arrives. This is
a wonderful opportunity to practice the hospitality of God and truly
make our guests feel at home. This meaningful task is especially
appropriate for individuals and couples who live near the church.
To volunteer, contact Beth Zobel (425-503-4036).
Meal Calendar
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