Let's go make some smiles!

There was 4 of us last week; FOUR! While I can still remember the days when we regularly had 10+, I'm stoked that we are seeing some new regulars, and I'm more than happy to see 40+ get fed. Last week, as we were walking around, we noticed LOTS of smiles. People just blown away that some random strangers come up to them with arm and food extended. I particularly remember one older bearded out grubby gentleman. He was searching through his change cup outside McDonald, likely to see how much $ he had to eat. When I offered him some food, he had a very quizzical look on his face follwed by a mile long smile when he realized we were giving him some fresh fruit and other goodies; MAN I wish I could take a good picture of that initial smile. We've gained a bit of momentum the last few events, and with the weather getting better I'm hoping for big things the next few weeks. LET'S GO MAKE SOME SMILES!!!!

That's that for now!

ToddS

Pike Market good again

Last Thursday we had a good serve at Pike Market. Two new volunteers joined me, in fact one of them saw the ad on Craigslist and just showed up; Fantastic!

We distributed 24 or so to people hanging around the park near Pike Market, then headed to WestLake. We saw a number of teenagers hanging out at The Stage who were very excited for the food we gave them, as well as three more spanging in front of McDonalds. All in all it was an uneventful but fruitful server.

Tomorrow we roll again!

ToddS

I like Pike!

Last Thursday I had a good solo serve at Pike Market. We have been modifying the dates and locations a bit lately, and I know that sometimes makes people drop off, or get confused or whatever. While it's understandable, unfortunately that is not likely to change anytime soon, as we are just trying to find the best days and locations to serve those in need. Recently we noticed another group of concerned citizens feeding people near Pioneer Square on Thursdays, which is fantastic, as it allowed us to move our operations to the Pike Market area. There are different types of needs in different areas of the city. While I'm willing to feed anyone in need, my preference is to feed someone who will likely otherwise not eat that night.

When I first drove by the park near Pike Market last Thursday I saw a lot less people than I had the week before. However once I got parked and everything loaded up, I had no problems finding people in need to give some snacks to. I had a good conversation with a couple of twenty-somethings who are here from France. They were smoking cigarettes and trying to sell some pencil drawings near Etta's restaurant. They have been here 8 months, and while I'm not sure where they are staying, they were so happy to get food they gave me some art in exchange. Hopefully they are there when I go back.

Next FeedSeattle Mobile Event is on June 10th (2nd and 3rd Thursdays). Meet me in the NW corner of the Park behind Pike Market.

ToddS

We serve WAY more than we Blog!

Oops. Yeah so it's been a while since I've updated the blog, but does anyone really blog as much as they think they will?

Regardless I want to give ya'll an update, and make a good post for new people to get the 411 on what we do.

FeedSeattle is a loosely organized group of 'average Joe' volunteers with a heart for the homeless. We have tried a number of ways to feed the homeless on the streets of the Seattle over our 3+ years of service. We are fully volunteer funded, just out to make a small difference. Currently we are doing mobile events the 2nd and 3rd Thursdays at 7:30pm, as well as the 4th Satrurday at noon, of every month.

A Mobile event is one where each volunteer arrives with 10-15 snack packs ready to distribute. Snack packs are easy to make. Simply take a gallon sized zip-lock bag and fill it with fruit, granola bars, chips, raisons, water, juice; just about anything really. Then we meet up, walk around, and distribute.

If you have questions please feel free to email me.

todd@wetfoot.net

Hundreds Fed on Saturday

All:


We had a fantastic time on Saturday serving up hot Chicken Teriyaki Bowls to people at Occidental Park. It smelled so good I wanted to get in line myself! We also had over 200 snack packs that we walked around the downtown area handing out to those in need. Once the Pioneer Square area was saturated we headed up to Pike Market and a few other locations distributing. While out we saw two other groups feeding peoples as well (One was the Bread of Life Mission and the other was Hugs Not Bombs I believe). It's fantastic to see others feeding the streets as well!


Our next event is Thursday February 4th. We will meeting by the Firemen Statue in Occidental Park at 7:30. Then we will head out in teams to feed the streets. We ask everyone to bring 12 snack packs to distribute.

That's that for now, quick and easy. You can keep up with us on twitter (@FeedSeattle) or our website (www.feedseattleoutreach.org).

ToddS

We did it!

3 servers + 55 snack packs = Lots of happy people

It was great to get back out on the streets after (too long) a time off. I'ma make this short and sweat so I stop slacking. It was fantastic that only 3 peoples, with a bit of pre-planning, could serve so many people so quickly. Just like the first time we started this I'm not exactly sure where we are going, but I do expect it to grow fairly quickly, as we have before, and for many many many people to be fed.

• Upcoming events can always be found on the website: http://feedseattleoutreach.org/default.aspx
• Twitter is a good way to keep up as well: @FeedSeattle

Up next is a Saturday feed at Occidental Park, January 23rd at noon. We will have the usual buffet line of goodness going on. So feel free to bring any food, clothing, etc. that you would like to give away. I've decided I'm going through my closet this weekend and filling a few bags to bring, I noticed many dudes my size there last time, and like most Americans my closet is stuffed.

Also bring 10 or so snack packs if you want to walk around with us backpack style and see who's hanging out at various parks and such.

Questions?

ToddS

FeedSeattle is BACK!

Actually it never left...

Many months ago, about the time of my last blog, life got busy. First my work hours temporarily started including graveyard shifts and soon thereafter I got engaged and married. A few months before that I began partnering with a number of organizations. You might recall 10th feed when we partnered with two churches and a fraternity from UW for a mass Saturday feeding. It turned out that one of the those churches, Coal Creek Chapel in Bellevue, really loved what we were doing and how we were going about it. They continued to serve the homeless on the streets of Seattle even when I had to temporarily bow out of leadership duties. Well the time has come where they are looking to step it up a notch, and I am ready to become fully vested yet again to this great effort I started a number of years ago.

Here is where we stand:

Saturday Feeds - Every fourth Saturday we are going down to Occidental Park and setting up. Recently this has included enough stuff to make MANY bowls of teriyaki chicken. We also distribute any and every thing we have, or can have donated. At these Saturday feeds we also like to create snack packs and take some mobile backpack teams to distribute under the viaduct, on the side of I5, and other places that people in need tend to congregate. The next Saturday Feed is on January 23rd. Bring some stuff to distribute if you can, bring a friend or two, and lets feed some people in need.

FeedSeattle Mobile - We are ready to get back into the activity that this model was founded on, which is loading up the backpacks and meeting the people on the streets with snacks and sock ready to go. I know this is WAAAAAY last minute, but we are jumping into it again this comming Thursday, 1.14.10. Our model is a bit different than last time around. Instead of having you donate money for the next feed, we are asking people to make 10-12 snack packs themselves ahead of time and bring them on down. It's as easy as hitting costco/canned food warehouse/biglots/etc and getting some individually wrapped snacks along with a few gallon sized zip lock bags to put them in.

More information here: http://feedseattleoutreach.org/default.aspx

Email me any questions or comments. I hope to see some of you old skool FeedSeattlers at an upcomming event, if I don't recognize you PLEASE let me know you are from the old skool.

That's that for now!

ToddS

todd@wetfoot.net