Urgent: Supplies and Support Needed for Area Homeless

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Urgent: Supplies and Support Needed for Area Homeless

Submitted by Glasses on Mon, 12/03/2007 - 10:37am.

There are many men and women in Olympia bearing the elements today without adequate clothing and supplies. Because it's not below freezing, the Salvation Army is not observing 'cold weather rules' and letting people stay inside. Also, the shelter will not admit those without photo ID, and Bread and Roses cannot provide enough funds to cover all those who need it. If anyone has any supplies at all please consider braving the roads and dropping them off to Bread and Roses today. People are coming in soaked to the bone in their only set of clothing. Here's an idea of what is needed:

Rain-gear of any kind

Jackets

Long johns

boots

gloves, scarves, hats

tarps

socks, socks, and more socks

tents

I cannot adequately portray the dire need of supplies in this kind of weather. Pneumonia, bronchitis, the flu and other illnesses will run rampant after this bad run of weather. If this is a matter near to your heart, please consider calling the city and asking for large scale emergency shelter to be opened, TODAY, whether it be a warehouse, an unused city building, or whatever else. If it's miserable going from your front door to your car, can you imagine sleeping in this muck?

Bread and Roses Advocacy Center 1009 4th Avenue E

(360) 754.4588

Glasses's blog
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Crap.

Submitted by security_six on Mon, 12/03/2007 - 10:46am.

I got soaked just trying to get up to work and drop off paper work. The roads were flooded, so I had to fire up the British Seagull and cross the bay in my Livingston dinghy... New goretex beanie, so head was dry, rest of me frickin' wet.

I really don't have anything I can contribute right now, sorry. I think the city should open up the old Safeway...

Can't believe the SA isn't letting people inside...

Fuck. (sorry) Been there, done that...

The old Safeway is an

Submitted by Glasses on Mon, 12/03/2007 - 11:14am.

The old Safeway is an excellent idea, security_six! I called the Salvation Army and inquired about what they did in weather like this. I was told that only women with children were allowed to stay inside today, that the SA wasn't a place to 'hang out' and get indoors from the weather. I asked where people were supposed to 'hang out' (aka 'gain respite from a storm') and she said it wasn't her call, so of course I asked to be transferred to someone in a managerial position. It went straight to voicemail, no surprise. It's very frustrating.

Open the Downtown Safeway

Submitted by little_teapot on Mon, 12/03/2007 - 3:50pm.

There is a new campaign going on that consists of people calling John Drebick, the new owner of the downtown Safeway, at Drebick Investments and telling him to open the old Safeway as a refuge from the weather for people during the day.

Wrong Approach

Submitted by Ehver Green on Mon, 12/03/2007 - 4:15pm.

Sorry, but having individuals bombard his business with calls isn't the right approach in my mind. If this is a need for the community I would expect community leaders to be much more diplomatic in their approach. Calm and collective.

Not scrooging here but there are things Mr. Drebick must consider before he opens any doors.

I have to say,

Submitted by Rob Richards on Mon, 12/03/2007 - 4:24pm.

that asking Drebick to open Safeway isn't a bad idea, he can only say no, but people should be calling the City and talking to Steve Hall as well. The more you play, the better chances you have of winning.

Great Idea

Submitted by Ehver Green on Mon, 12/03/2007 - 4:45pm.

No doubt. But, I'd think Drebick will need some assurances and needs to understand who is going to be responsible for the site. First, insurance implications. Moral or not, our legal system has a way of making fools of people here. Even when they are doing good. Secondly, the length of the stay needs to be clearly communicated. Lastly, rules for admittance.

I would disagee with the 'play' statement. This isn't the lottery. A cohesive plan presented to the city and Mr. Drebick one time would be the way to go. Blindly calling in numbers as a way of convincing someone of your needs seems wrong.

I expect many churches will be stepping up to the plate as well. The city should have already started negotiations with hotels re: price and a structure for repayment should those who need a room not be able to afford it with a single payment. If these things aren't a part of Olympia's disaster plan, someone has missed an opportunity.

Honestly,

Submitted by Rob Richards on Mon, 12/03/2007 - 5:50pm.

I know this because I'm trying to get them to create one, but right now there is no disaster plan.

i don't see the problem with

Submitted by little_teapot on Mon, 12/03/2007 - 11:28pm.

i don't see the problem with asking. Like mr. richards said the worst is him saying no. People should also go to the city council meeting and write our elected officials, for sure. But asking a community member for help when they can provide it just seems like the first logical step. especially with this state of emergency being declared.

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