Work in progress, but pretty DANG not bad I think. Thanks to Joshua.F for using his mad vid skillz to help us out!
http://www.vimeo.com/3014437
ToddS
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Bag Prices
Here are the approximate prices for 100 homeless snack packs
$18 Capri Sun
$12 Chips
$24 Granola Bars
$30 Apple Sauce
$10 Fruit Jells
$10 Ziplock Bags
$27 Cheese Sandwiches
----------------------------------
$131 / 100 bags
$1.31 per bag
Add some coinage for Uncle Sam into that and we are right about our goal of $1.50 per bag. Still looking for ways to improve it, but we're on the right track.
ToddS
$18 Capri Sun
$12 Chips
$24 Granola Bars
$30 Apple Sauce
$10 Fruit Jells
$10 Ziplock Bags
$27 Cheese Sandwiches
----------------------------------
$131 / 100 bags
$1.31 per bag
Add some coinage for Uncle Sam into that and we are right about our goal of $1.50 per bag. Still looking for ways to improve it, but we're on the right track.
ToddS
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Eighth Feed - Stories
Last night was another great success. Upon Jessica's suggestion we tried putting cheese sandwich parts together. Essentially a few Costco rolls, two slices of pre-wrapped cheese, mayo packet, and a mustard packet. I'm still debating on whether it's worth doing or not. While We were able to put them together much faster than I had anticipated, and it gets something a bit more substantial in the bags, they get kinda squished and is something that we have to go through left over bags and take out, as cheese is definitely perishable. We'll see.
We sent out 11 people to our usual spots. One of the volunteers reported "The Seattle Center house was packed tonight. I was out of bags in about 5 minutes, but between the group of us, we had enough for all of them and walked around Queen Anne a bit as well. The socks were really appreciated." My sister had sent me about 60 pairs of socks from Boston which are always a big hit with the homeless as they are on their feet most of the day, often with wet shoes.
Myself, co-worker Brian, and regular volunteer Lindsey headed down to Occidental Park to meet up with Coal Creek Chapel who was back to help us again. CCC had hot coffee, food bags, cloths, soup; all kinda good stuff. Once we said 'Hey' the 3 of us went on a walk under the viaduct, to the group of tents we had success at last time. The tents had moved, and we almost missed them, but thank God/the stars/Karma we spotted 'em. It was pretty much the same as before. Shadow was not there, however I met his little sister, who reiterated that she was his "biological" sister; not sure why. She exclaimed something to the effect of "His stupid hoe girlfriend told me he was in jail, I knew he wasn't in jail so I took my dogs back". don't know the full story, but sure enough she had Pumpkin and Bugs whom we'd met a few weeks previous. We also saw the lady with Gustav the Rooster again; Gustav is alive and well!
I really want to take a few minutes and chit chat with these people, and always plan to, but then when the moment comes I am so focused on reaching as much of the streets as we can that I usually take off right away. It's a delicate balance between helping a few people a lot or a lot of people a little; our group tends to focus on the later rather than the former.
We headed back next to the stadiums, served a few cars and RVs. We approached one van, knocked, and was greeted with an open door; which is wierd as people usually just open windows. There were 3 guys inside, and when I gave them the snack packs I think I made three of the happiest stoners the world has ever seen. One guy in the back of the van kept repeating "I love you man, you're the best, thanks man, I love you".
Then we ran across Joe, from Joe's Hot Dogs, a regular pre-game meal for myself and friends before Seahawks/Mariners games. Joe is the coolest, nicest, and one of the most successful, hot dog vendos in town. Don't be fooled by others that claim to be Joe, there is only ONE Joe. After he told me about seeing Jay Buehner earlier in the evening...
Joe: What are you up to tonight man?
Me: Feeding homesless peoples, same as you
Joe: I do that all the time, don't like to throw it away. See ya during Mariners Season!
(suddenly I have 'Who are the people in your neighborhood' from Seasame Street in my head)
Once we got back to Occidental Park, Pastor Sean was ready to load us up in his van and drop us off near I5. Lindsey led us to a spot literally on the side of I5 that homeless often bed down, you've likely seen them before. Trudging out near whizzing cars was fun, we found about 6 people asleep under blankets, along with a guy/girl who were awake and huddled in a corner. In fact I didn't even know that the frail young lady was there until she moved, and she was about a foot away from me.
On the walk back to Occidental to end the night we came across some homeless shacks/tents setup near a construction site then hit Yesler park, where we were pointed toward people waiting to get into one of the emergency homeless shelters that opens at 9:30pm (and makes people leave at 4:30am). It was great serving a man who was smoking a joint; everyone was very appreciative
That's really that, our success continues and our numbers are increasing. Thanks a TON to everyone who is giving their time and money.
ToddS
todd at wetfoot dot net
We sent out 11 people to our usual spots. One of the volunteers reported "The Seattle Center house was packed tonight. I was out of bags in about 5 minutes, but between the group of us, we had enough for all of them and walked around Queen Anne a bit as well. The socks were really appreciated." My sister had sent me about 60 pairs of socks from Boston which are always a big hit with the homeless as they are on their feet most of the day, often with wet shoes.
Myself, co-worker Brian, and regular volunteer Lindsey headed down to Occidental Park to meet up with Coal Creek Chapel who was back to help us again. CCC had hot coffee, food bags, cloths, soup; all kinda good stuff. Once we said 'Hey' the 3 of us went on a walk under the viaduct, to the group of tents we had success at last time. The tents had moved, and we almost missed them, but thank God/the stars/Karma we spotted 'em. It was pretty much the same as before. Shadow was not there, however I met his little sister, who reiterated that she was his "biological" sister; not sure why. She exclaimed something to the effect of "His stupid hoe girlfriend told me he was in jail, I knew he wasn't in jail so I took my dogs back". don't know the full story, but sure enough she had Pumpkin and Bugs whom we'd met a few weeks previous. We also saw the lady with Gustav the Rooster again; Gustav is alive and well!
I really want to take a few minutes and chit chat with these people, and always plan to, but then when the moment comes I am so focused on reaching as much of the streets as we can that I usually take off right away. It's a delicate balance between helping a few people a lot or a lot of people a little; our group tends to focus on the later rather than the former.
We headed back next to the stadiums, served a few cars and RVs. We approached one van, knocked, and was greeted with an open door; which is wierd as people usually just open windows. There were 3 guys inside, and when I gave them the snack packs I think I made three of the happiest stoners the world has ever seen. One guy in the back of the van kept repeating "I love you man, you're the best, thanks man, I love you".
Then we ran across Joe, from Joe's Hot Dogs, a regular pre-game meal for myself and friends before Seahawks/Mariners games. Joe is the coolest, nicest, and one of the most successful, hot dog vendos in town. Don't be fooled by others that claim to be Joe, there is only ONE Joe. After he told me about seeing Jay Buehner earlier in the evening...
Joe: What are you up to tonight man?
Me: Feeding homesless peoples, same as you
Joe: I do that all the time, don't like to throw it away. See ya during Mariners Season!
(suddenly I have 'Who are the people in your neighborhood' from Seasame Street in my head)
Once we got back to Occidental Park, Pastor Sean was ready to load us up in his van and drop us off near I5. Lindsey led us to a spot literally on the side of I5 that homeless often bed down, you've likely seen them before. Trudging out near whizzing cars was fun, we found about 6 people asleep under blankets, along with a guy/girl who were awake and huddled in a corner. In fact I didn't even know that the frail young lady was there until she moved, and she was about a foot away from me.
On the walk back to Occidental to end the night we came across some homeless shacks/tents setup near a construction site then hit Yesler park, where we were pointed toward people waiting to get into one of the emergency homeless shelters that opens at 9:30pm (and makes people leave at 4:30am). It was great serving a man who was smoking a joint; everyone was very appreciative
That's really that, our success continues and our numbers are increasing. Thanks a TON to everyone who is giving their time and money.
ToddS
todd at wetfoot dot net
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Eighth Feed - Stats
- approximate weekly stats: 31 Servers, 350 served, $105 donate by volunteers
- approximate total stats: 187 servers, 1455 served, $897 donate by volunteers
Tonight Sean and the folks from Coal Creek Chapel were back at Occidental Park, we met Shadows' none-too-happy little sister (who had his dogs Pumpkin and Bugs), fed some people on the edge of I5, Chatted with Joe (of Joe's Hot Dogs fame) and even filmed a promo video! Oh, and the rooster is alive and well!
Stories to come tomorrow.
ToddS
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Contacts
We've only had 8 events since we started this little band of do-gooders. Already we've partnered with two local churches, a school teacher who's students collected over 500 pairs of socks, and will soon be partnering with a fraternity from UW. Most of this involvement has come through craigslist ads and simple conversations with friends.
I don't mind saying that this goes to prove my thought that most people want to help if given a chance to, they simply need a bit of instruction and motivation. Anyone you know that is interested in assisting the homeless on the streets of Seattle? I'd be more than happy to assist in getting their efforts going.
Nineth Feed on Tuesday is going to be Krazy Kool; 6pm for sandwich creation 7pm to pack bags and head out.
ToddS
I don't mind saying that this goes to prove my thought that most people want to help if given a chance to, they simply need a bit of instruction and motivation. Anyone you know that is interested in assisting the homeless on the streets of Seattle? I'd be more than happy to assist in getting their efforts going.
Nineth Feed on Tuesday is going to be Krazy Kool; 6pm for sandwich creation 7pm to pack bags and head out.
ToddS
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Eighth Feed - Next Tuesday
Eighth Feed is next week, and we will be building on the momentum that was kicked up last week (you can tell I am still excited by our experiences with Shadow and the others in his area). Some of us will be meeting ahead of time, about 6pm, to put together some assemble-yourself cheese sandwiches. So, to that end, let me know if you can:
A. Meet up at 6pm to put sandwiches together before we pack up and head out
B. Can meet up at the normal 7pm starting time to packup and head out.
The larger the group goes the more important it is for people to RSVP if at all possible, though if you have to make a last minute call then so be it. Thanks to all who came last week. I think that was the smoothest it's ever been breaking in to groups and heading out, I think I will continue to let ya'll decide where you want to go and to break into your own groups. We are also getting the snack pack assembling down fairly well, so much so that people who are stuck in traffic are in danger of missing us. From now on we will always wait until at least 7:30 before we leave, but if you arrive after that there are no garauntees that we will still be around.
A few reminders:
Volunteers bring a backpack if at all possible, and $10 to pitch in for supplies next week. This way we are fully volunteer funded. Parking can be tough, but there should be street parking and since it's past 6pm it should be free. If not there is a cheap pay lot the next block up on the same side of the street.
That's that for now!
ToddS
A. Meet up at 6pm to put sandwiches together before we pack up and head out
B. Can meet up at the normal 7pm starting time to packup and head out.
The larger the group goes the more important it is for people to RSVP if at all possible, though if you have to make a last minute call then so be it. Thanks to all who came last week. I think that was the smoothest it's ever been breaking in to groups and heading out, I think I will continue to let ya'll decide where you want to go and to break into your own groups. We are also getting the snack pack assembling down fairly well, so much so that people who are stuck in traffic are in danger of missing us. From now on we will always wait until at least 7:30 before we leave, but if you arrive after that there are no garauntees that we will still be around.
A few reminders:
Volunteers bring a backpack if at all possible, and $10 to pitch in for supplies next week. This way we are fully volunteer funded. Parking can be tough, but there should be street parking and since it's past 6pm it should be free. If not there is a cheap pay lot the next block up on the same side of the street.
That's that for now!
ToddS
Monday, January 19, 2009
Resources
This weekend some cool stuff happened with respect to our budding outreach team:
- I had someone contact me about a group of 29 people that would like to serve with us
- A friend of mine had her students collect hundreds of pairs of socks for us to give away
- My sisters gift of a mountain of socks to distribute finally arrived in the mail
- Jessica found a great deal on Cliff type bars and peanut butter crackers.
Good stuff indeed. Also, I've purchased 200 small packs of mayo and 500 small packs of mustard, so we are a go for sandwich creation next week.
ToddS
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Seventh Feed - Stories
Seventh feed saw yet another great response from volunteers, with 21 people giving of their time as well as $175 in donations.
The first 3 teams headed out to our usual 3 spots; 5th ave, Seattle Center, and Belltown. I've been noticing that we are heading out earlier than we used to, with experience we are getting the snack packs put togehter in record time.
As Jessica and I were cleaning up and getting ready to head out ourselves, Liz and Jessie showed up. Instead of sending them off by themselves we took them with us on our scouting mission. We loaded all the leftover bags in my truck and headed out.
Our first stop was the Taco Bell in lower Queen Anne, as I'd heard that there are often a number of homeless hanging out in that area. If they were there they were well hidden as we didn't see anyone. I'll likely take another pass in the future on foot.
We headed south along the water to an area in sodo I'd seen tents at during the crazy winter weather. Once we spotted the tents we parked the truck and headed over. The first person we met was later introduced to me as "Shadow, actually people call me Shadow The Protector". Shadow lead us over to an area between a few tents where a number of people were sitting in a circle, there might have been a fire there but my attention was elsewhere. Shadow introduced us to his dog and his puppy; Bugs and Pumpkin. Once we served them and were walking away the petite blonde girl lifted up her sweatshirt to show us she was pregnant, we gave her a bag for her child as well. Later in the night we came across another pregnant homeless woman; so sad.
Continuing on we served a number of tents, sometimes communicating with the person inside and sometimes just leaving the pack near the tent flap. When we called out to one tent and asked how many people were in it, what we thought was "Just me an Gustav" turned out to actually be "Just me and the rooster", which turned out to be true.
We also ran across a number of people living in vehicles. One couple with their cat and rat, another man with a huge TV in his small van (huge being relative, it was likely 27inches). Another younger gentleman in an RV with 3 dogs. When we got back to my truck we had 4 bags left and decided to walk them over to Shadow the Protector to do as he see's fit. During our previous discussion he'd mentioned that he was kind of the care taker of the group, which is where the proclaimation of "The Protector" comes from.
The person who had the most effect on me tonight was the girl that Shadow was talking to when we first came across him. She didn't "look" like she should be homeless. She looked like she should be shopping at The Gap with her friends, or enjoying a latte at Starbucks. She mentioned that her parents were in the tent next to her and I could not help but wonder if the rough economic times had recently put them on the street. From this I take away that bad things happen to everyone, and without a good support system things can get real bad; Thank God for my wonderful family and friends!
Eigth Feed is on January 28th, but I wish it was tomorrow.
That's that for now!
ToddS
The first 3 teams headed out to our usual 3 spots; 5th ave, Seattle Center, and Belltown. I've been noticing that we are heading out earlier than we used to, with experience we are getting the snack packs put togehter in record time.
As Jessica and I were cleaning up and getting ready to head out ourselves, Liz and Jessie showed up. Instead of sending them off by themselves we took them with us on our scouting mission. We loaded all the leftover bags in my truck and headed out.
Our first stop was the Taco Bell in lower Queen Anne, as I'd heard that there are often a number of homeless hanging out in that area. If they were there they were well hidden as we didn't see anyone. I'll likely take another pass in the future on foot.
We headed south along the water to an area in sodo I'd seen tents at during the crazy winter weather. Once we spotted the tents we parked the truck and headed over. The first person we met was later introduced to me as "Shadow, actually people call me Shadow The Protector". Shadow lead us over to an area between a few tents where a number of people were sitting in a circle, there might have been a fire there but my attention was elsewhere. Shadow introduced us to his dog and his puppy; Bugs and Pumpkin. Once we served them and were walking away the petite blonde girl lifted up her sweatshirt to show us she was pregnant, we gave her a bag for her child as well. Later in the night we came across another pregnant homeless woman; so sad.
Continuing on we served a number of tents, sometimes communicating with the person inside and sometimes just leaving the pack near the tent flap. When we called out to one tent and asked how many people were in it, what we thought was "Just me an Gustav" turned out to actually be "Just me and the rooster", which turned out to be true.
We also ran across a number of people living in vehicles. One couple with their cat and rat, another man with a huge TV in his small van (huge being relative, it was likely 27inches). Another younger gentleman in an RV with 3 dogs. When we got back to my truck we had 4 bags left and decided to walk them over to Shadow the Protector to do as he see's fit. During our previous discussion he'd mentioned that he was kind of the care taker of the group, which is where the proclaimation of "The Protector" comes from.
The person who had the most effect on me tonight was the girl that Shadow was talking to when we first came across him. She didn't "look" like she should be homeless. She looked like she should be shopping at The Gap with her friends, or enjoying a latte at Starbucks. She mentioned that her parents were in the tent next to her and I could not help but wonder if the rough economic times had recently put them on the street. From this I take away that bad things happen to everyone, and without a good support system things can get real bad; Thank God for my wonderful family and friends!
Eigth Feed is on January 28th, but I wish it was tomorrow.
That's that for now!
ToddS
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Seventh Feed - Stats
- approximate weekly Stats: 21 Servers, 175 served, $175 donate by volunteers
- approximate total stats: 156 servers, 1105 served, $792 donate by volunteers
ToddS
Monday, January 12, 2009
Seventh Feed- Tomorrow
Now that the Holiday Season, crazy weather, and impromptu trips to the East Coast are over it's time to get serving again. Let me know if you are in for 7pm tomorrow.
For our next event, on the 27th, those of us who can will meet a bit early and put together cheese sandwiches (with mayo/mustard packets) to put in the bags, a great idea suggested by a regular volunteer. We also have another church group from Lynnwood that is donating a whole bunch of socks they collected and will be helping us distribute at a future event
That's that for now.
ToddS
For our next event, on the 27th, those of us who can will meet a bit early and put together cheese sandwiches (with mayo/mustard packets) to put in the bags, a great idea suggested by a regular volunteer. We also have another church group from Lynnwood that is donating a whole bunch of socks they collected and will be helping us distribute at a future event
That's that for now.
ToddS
Monday, January 5, 2009
Seventh Feed - Postponed
I am pushing Seventh Feed back one week, from January 6th to January 13th. I apologize for the short notice but I'm flying out of town this week to attend a funeral in Boston.
We'll serve it up on the 13th for sure, I'm thinking sandwiches again and really want to make a big event of it; so tell everyone you know. Also. if anyone knows where to get some free/cheap Red Rider type wagons, preferably with the larger rubber wheels, please let me know.
Happy 2009 all!
ToddS
We'll serve it up on the 13th for sure, I'm thinking sandwiches again and really want to make a big event of it; so tell everyone you know. Also. if anyone knows where to get some free/cheap Red Rider type wagons, preferably with the larger rubber wheels, please let me know.
Happy 2009 all!
ToddS
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Got turned down tonight
Tonight I hung out at a friends house drinking beer and making pot stickers; actually we were not able to make pot stickers as the meat had 'turned'; but we had fun hanging out none the less. I took the bus home from lower Queen Anne to my apartment in Belltown, arriving about 12:30. A few doors away from my place I saw a lady bedding down in a doorway for the night. This same lady I have seen many times asleep in that same doorway as I bustle off to work in the morning.
I decided to approach her grabbing the only bill in my wallet, a $20. I said "Excuse me, I've seen you sleeping here many mornings and I just want to give you this for a good breakfast in the morning." Much to my suprise she would not accept it. While I didn't badger her, I did say something to the effect of "are you sure?" a number of times; to no avail.
Why wouldn't she take it? I truly have no idea. I don't think I was being too presumtive as she was obviously bedding down for the night.
So now I am sitting at home, listening to 'Better People' by Xavier Rudd, wondering "why wouldn't she take it?" After three years of street outreach I still have a lot to learn.
See ya'll next week.
ToddS
I decided to approach her grabbing the only bill in my wallet, a $20. I said "Excuse me, I've seen you sleeping here many mornings and I just want to give you this for a good breakfast in the morning." Much to my suprise she would not accept it. While I didn't badger her, I did say something to the effect of "are you sure?" a number of times; to no avail.
Why wouldn't she take it? I truly have no idea. I don't think I was being too presumtive as she was obviously bedding down for the night.
So now I am sitting at home, listening to 'Better People' by Xavier Rudd, wondering "why wouldn't she take it?" After three years of street outreach I still have a lot to learn.
See ya'll next week.
ToddS
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