Updates from the Bishop’s Task Force on Homelessness

A good friend was visiting the past couple of days, with conversation often encompassing the current election. When I told him I was planning to write this column on behalf of the Task Force, he suggested I write about the necessity for responding to homelessness the same way regardless of who wins the election. Good idea, I said and thought further about it. So here goes!

It starts with belief in our faith, in loving our neighbors as ourselves. It is how we live into our Baptismal Covenant, that we strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being. That it is also living in communion with all, within and outside our church. This forms the basis for why we even serve in the first place.

We also need look no further than the actions in community which our parishes are doing and have been doing for years. Because that is our faith, and we will serve our fellow human beings, no matter the economic or background.

At Convention, the Task Force learned and confirmed how we help thousands in so many ways. Christ Church, Anacortes provides funding to the unhoused through its Thrift Shop. All Saints, Bellevue supplies safety pouches, hats for kids, and assists in feeding at a shelter. 10% of pledges go outside of the church. St. James, Cathlamet operates a domestic violence shelter. Church of the Good Shepherd, Federal Way provides weekly community meals. St. Dunstan’s, Shoreline also operates a community dinner, with 400 meals also being delivered to encampments, as well as a periodic winter shelter. St. John’s, Gig Harbor supports a church safe parking program. St Mary’s, Lakewood operates a food bank. St. Stephen’s, Oak Harbor supports a teen shelter and an overnight shelter, as well as works with the Whidbey Homeless Coalition. Faith, Poulsbo operates Fresh Start Mondays – with food, showers, lunch and laundry. St. Andrew’s, Port Angeles is putting together Safe Parking. Church of the Good Shepherd, Vancouver partners with Shore House and Open House Ministries. Not least are dozens of programs to provide safety pouches, important for keeping one’s identification and personal documents safe. Manna bags give hope and a chance to connect personally.

There are many, many other programs which I hope to highlight in the future. As Jesus said, we will always have the poor.

With love,
Don Fornoff, member of the Bishop’s Task Force on Homelessness