Meal program

The Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness is continuing its nightly meal program with the help of 600 volunteers, but some have left and more are needed to replace them.

Teams of volunteers prepare meals every night of the week, with each team taking care of meals anywhere from one night per week to one meal per month. The third Friday of the month needs a team and the Sunday brunch meal needs more volunteers.

Emma Amiad of the Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness (IFCH) says the program is a fun way to have a social evening with a group of friends and provide a good, hot meal to the lower-income families and homeless individuals on Vashon.

Those who would be willing to join a team or form a new one should call John Datin, meal coordinator, at 601-4129.

Shelter program

After realizing this winter has seen far colder nights than have been experienced in the last few years, it became clear to members of the IFCH that people could freeze sleeping outdoors.

There are no community shelters of any kind on Vashon, so two shelters have been set up — one at the United Methodist church and one at Vashon Lutheran Church — for several weeks during the coldest nights. Those who come to get shelter from the cold are given bedding and a chance to sleep in a heated space. There have been between one and five homeless individuals each night.

Those interested in spending a night as a supervisor or doing laundry should contact Nancy Vanderpool at 463-7776 or Jim Dam at 567-5279.