Hello and happy holidays!
This has been a challenging year, but we have good reason to remain positive. When politicians played games with vital SNAP benefits, our community stepped up to make sure our food programs could meet the growing need. That is how resilient communities survive and thrive.
Thank you!
For our neighbors facing hunger and homelessness, resilience is required. Nobody knows that more than Bill, who has brought his positive attitude to PMSC-FB for two years, making friends and livening up activities. As you read this, Bill is homeless. While he is facing one of the biggest challenges of his life, Bill’s positive spirit is unbroken. As Bill says, “Attitude is everything.”
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“I didn’t think I’d be homeless this long. I’ve worked my whole life,” Bill says. “It’s been hard, but there’s been a lot of goodness in the last two years. The Senior Center’s my spot for breakfast and lunch. I can charge my phone. Some days, I just use the restroom if I’m in a hurry. Not a lot of options for that in Seattle!”
A good talker and a great listener, Bill catches up with a friend before lunch.
We serve two free meals every day of the week at the Senior Center.
Around 7,500 people visit PMSC-FB each year. In the last 12 months, community support has generated real accomplishments:
- 84,891 bags of groceries for people of any age
- 65,890 free meals for seniors, served daily
- 760 senior activities, trips, and events
- 2,261 social work visits with elders in crisis
- 11 unhoused seniors moved into safe housing
(We hope to add Bill to this total, soon!)
Every service we offer begins with someone who cares enough to support the Pike Market Senior Center & Food Bank. Many of you reading this have already donated this year. Thank you!
We have been sending more requests out of a need to offset higher costs and to meet the growing demand for services.
If you are able, we would love to welcome your donation as we are now in the cold, rainy season - the busiest months of the year.
Thank you and best wishes for the holidays!
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Mason Lowe, Deputy Director
Pike Market Senior Center & Food Bank
mason@pikemarket.org
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