Food bank temporarily closes soup kitchen

Posted by Geeky Swedes on March 6th, 2009

The Ballard Food Bank has decided to temporarily close its soup kitchen at Calvary Lutheran Church at 23rd Ave. and 70th St. “Some people who attend the lunch program have not maintained a standard of behavior that is appropriate or respectful,” explained the food bank’s executive director and board president in a letter distributed to the neighborhood. “Over the next several weeks, our board will closely examine options to address the concerns that have been raised about the Meals Program, including discussing whether clients of this program can be served through other avenues or partnerships.” The kitchen has operated every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and it has served an increasing number of people in need over the last few months.

Last week, quite a few neighbors complained about the soup kitchen at a community meeting that discussed a plan to bring a nighttime SHARE shelter to Calvary Lutheran. The shelter’s move to Calvary has since been delayed. The food bank said it appreciated the feedback it received at the meeting, and now asks for your comments and ideas. “We welcome your feedback about how the program has personally impacted you and any ideas you have about how we can continue to respond to people in need while also being a respectful neighbor,” the letter reads. The full letter is below…

Dear Neighbors:

For many years, the Ballard Food Bank has been serving the community with the help of neighbors like you. The meal program we offer three times a week at the former Calvary Lutheran Church is well attended and provides a healthy lunch to those who need it. Unfortunately, some people who attend the lunch program have not maintained a standard of behavior that is appropriate or respectful. This has caused concern for many of you who desire to be compassionate neighbors but also want to feel safe in your neighborhood. We appreciated the opportunity to hear directly from many of you about these concerns at last week’s meeting about the SHARE men’s shelter at the Calvary Building.

Effective March 5, the Board of Directors of the Ballard Food Bank has decided to temporarily shutdown the Meal Program we sponsor at the former Calvary Lutheran site on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Over the next several weeks, our board will closely examine options to address the concerns that have been raised about the Meals Program, including discussing whether clients of this program can be served through other avenues or partnerships. We welcome your feedback about how the program has personally impacted you and any ideas you have about how we can continue to respond to people in need while also being a respectful neighbor. Please direct your comments or feedback to our Executive Director, Nancy McKinney via email at ed@ballardfoodbank.org and via phone 206-789-7800.

One again, we thank you for your support over the years and look forward to our partnership is serving as a resource for the most vulnerable.

Thank you,

Nancy McKinney
Executive Director

Monica Myers Greenberg
Board President

Tags: Ballard Facebook

RV Reviews

it is good that this people have focus on their responsibilities...

SPG

Black Heli, The reason I still think that there is a place for Soup Kitchens (though I don't think that Ballard is the right place) is because it's the right thing to do in a moral sense. I'd rather have the homeless being fed and housed than breaking in to my house out of desperation. What I'd really like to see is a better program aimed at reducing the need for these services by helping people straighten out their lives and get back on a positive track. Reopening the mental hospitals that were closed down under the Reagan administration would be a start too.
This doesn't mean that I have a lot of sympathy for the people that choose to be drunks/druggies or commit crimes to support their habits. I don't give money to panhandlers, I don't put up with crazies, and I report crime when I see it.

anotherchurchneighbor

To Judith,

No disrespect intended. I'm sure Michael tries very hard to keep order but I really don’t know how he can say it’s only 5 or 6 people. I don’t know how many volunteers you have - but I find it hard to believe you have enough to monitor the behavior of 150 people both on and off church property. I’ve seen more than 5 or 6 soup clients engaged in inappropriate behavior (drinking, drug use). They make it a point to hide their behavior from the soup kitchen volunteers. They move a little ways down the block and keep watch for the volunteers. Also, the volunteers are not here 7 by 24. The soup kitchen clients show up before the volunteers arrive and stay after they leave. They even come back at night and on weekends.

Judith Wood

The Phinney Neighborhood Association Soup Kitchen Program has provided lunch at Calvary Lutheran on Mondays for the past 8 years. Michael Gregory, Soup Kitchen Coordinator, reports that we have never had serious problems. In his words "Why should we deny a meal to 150 people because of the bad behavior of 5 or 6 clients?" We have also provided a Tuesday dinner and Wednesday lunch at St. John United Lutheran Church on Phinney Ridge for many years. These three meals are staffed by volunteers of all ages, some affiliated with the host churches, some not.

On a personal note, I recommend the recent book "Breakfast at Sally's", written by a Washington State author about his period of homelessness in Bremerton and the support and sustenance he received from feeding programs and churches in that community.

On 24th NW

BHO your conspiracy theory is funny, other neighborhood small business owners boosting for more homeless in Ballard? Are you drinking mouthwash? And you know, the attempt by the food bank has FAILED so it closed. No more "havoc" (?) then @ Calgary. You can quit worrying about that soup kitchen. Those "pro homeless" thats a different story, I guess, but as you continue on with your ramblings I wonder since you seem to know of so many other soup kitchens and where all the shelters are it's begining to sound to me like you might be sitting around on Market most of the day yourself. Or maybe you're sitting at the library? Just waiting to eat.

Oh yeah...there are already homeless living in cars/RVs down by Fred Meyer. But you know that. We all do.

Black Helicopter Operations

SPG wrote -

"Let’s get a soup kitchen going again, but let’s be realistic about where we put it. We need to minimize the negative impact on the community of what is supposed to be a good thing".

Why? What is this obession people in Ballard suddenly have with soup kitchens? I have lived here a long time, and have NEVER seen such a fixation on soup kitchens and trying to lure transients into Ballard.

Local Ballard homeless can get a huge box of food to last an entire week, right at the Ballard Food Bank. They don't NEED a soup kitchen if they use the food bank properly. If they get drunk and lose thier box of food, they can get a free lunch somewhere else.

There are soup kitchens and actual shelters in the U district, downtown and all over the damn place. There are more soup kitchens than these people could possibly visit, and they eat better than I do. But, the call for on here never ends.

We still have one at St Lukes right next to the library, for Gods sake. Get over it. How much food can these people possibly eat? There is an agenda at work here, by some.

Could someone please explain, the driving need some have around here, to get the transients off University Way, Broadway, and out of Pioneer Square and into Ballard? These people will fight and fight, until we are swimming in transients.

My God, you would think these "Pro Transient" posters, are actually U district shop owners, tricking us into getting the transients over here, rather than putting up with them over there.

I mean, if you want a pet project, go to the U District and work at the soup kitchens. Be my guest, because nobody is stopping you. This obsession with soup kitchen in Ballard is hard to even understand.

Let me spell it out. Even if you had the soup kitchen down by Fred Myers or Traders Joes, you have the same problem. The transients will live in cars and rvs and doorways near Fred Myer and Trader Joes, waiting for free food, rather than up by Calgary Church, where they now create havoc. Others will be bused in here from everywhere from Pioneer Square to King County Jail when they are let out.

Then, these people have zero to do during the other 23 hours, they are milling around waiting for the next days free lunch. We, as a community are supposed to babysit them for that time period. Bergen Park and Market street have turned into an outdoor insane asylum in the past year. Transient day care centers.

Go downtown, The U district, or Broadway and be a voulenteer if your so inclined. There are plenty of soup kitchens, all over the city for you to feel good about yourself at.

The only people who would want the business owners in Ballard to welcome transients, are business owners in The U district, Broadway, and Pioneer Square.

Market Street, will be Broadway or University Way in 12 months at this rate.

SPG

I'm sure that anyone who actually understands what a food bank does is supportive of it. Even Black Heli would if he actually knew and was willing to tone down his bravado for a moment.
The soup kitchen? Well....there's where it gets a little grey. On the one hand we know that everyone's got to eat, but at what cost to the community? I don't want to see anyone starve because some people make some of us uncomfortable, but we won't have much of a town left if all the businesses have their customers scared off and crime runs rampant. There's been enough real examples of homeless violence that we should take it seriously, the guy murdered in his car last feb, another one on Leary a couple years ago, not to mention enough smaller incidents that the BFB would shut down their soup kitchen.
What to do? Let's get a soup kitchen going again, but let's be realistic about where we put it. We need to minimize the negative impact on the community of what is supposed to be a good thing.

e/c

I found out the police officer who is the team lead for the transiet issues in Ballard. You can contact him with any quesations or concerns, as well as find out their plans for controlling it.

email from him:

I am the Community Police Team Officer for the Ballard area. I deal with the transient issues discussed in your e-mail. I would like to further discuss your concerns. I work M-F daytime hours. If you send me a daytime phone I will contact you to talk further. I am looking forward to talking with you. ThanksDevlin Haag

Officer Devlin Haag
North Precinct Community Police Team
Seattle Police Department
10049 College Way North
Seattle, WA 98133-9462
(206) 233-3733 Desk
(206)684-0742 FAX

Crown Hill

yes! to Ballard Food Bank.
It was a lifesaver for us when we needed it. A friend told me tough times are what proves your character. Just the same, it was hard to walk into those front doors looking for help. Harder yet to come out the back with a bag and a box of needed nutrition. I really did not want to be seen by anyone who knew us.
There does seem to be a need for a community kitchen, hot meal, nutritional education center.

e/c

YES to BFB, it is needed in our community. No, to soup kitchens for now. I can't imagine a community without a food bank,are you kidding?

churchneighbor

In my opinion, we should run this guy out of town. God forbid he would ever need help....Read this....he lives among us...how scary is that?

62 Black Helicopter Operations // Mar 8, 2009 at 4:39 pm

We need to run everyone out of Ballad that even thinks of helping a homeless person out. This is the reason there is so much crack/meth infesting our community. Helping out a person in need should be an executable offense.

churchneighbor

a neighbor:
I'm with you .The people who are disrespectful and causing problems are not the types of people we want here. I also am very bothered by the groups that gather by the library that are disruptive. I think the homeless naturally will go to a library, as it is a place to get warm. There seems to be no easy answers here.

a neighbor

Yes to grandmothers and families needing a hand. No to those who have set up "home" in our library and parks and are far too often disrespectful to the citizens who pay for those services. The type of people who have made homelessness a lifestyle choice. That is the type we're seeing infest Ballard lately.

churchneighbor

Thanks Black Helicopopter for your opinion.
Anyone else? Lets have some opinions here from the neighbors. Are you happy/sad to see the soup kitchen go? Why? The food bank isn't likely to go away given the economy. I, as a neighbor am glad to Ballard Food Bank helping those in need. I see those lines form every week from my house each week just before 11am when the food bank opens. No problems...Just people waiting in line for food. Lots of them look like they could be my grandmother. So I am curious....The soup kitchen is closed...for now.
How do all of you feel about the situation as it is right now?

I NIMBY naked!

@52 I think we should have a "you must be this tall to ride this ride" kind of entrance qualifications to enter Ballard. Race and class rules would of course apply, as well as a cultural/employment background checks. We can also build a wall...it will be. so. perfect. And can we get rid of the bike lanes then!? Ballard will be the NEW Tacoma!! YES!!! And we need to get these so called "churches" out of the business of HELPING people (God only helps those who help themselves, not those who help themselves to free food and a poops on my lawn)...in the '80s we called helping the homeless with free stuff WELFARE. Which is communistic. FREE BALLARD, not free soup!

Black Helicopter Operations

My vote is no food bank and no soup kitchens. Not the answer Churchneighbor aka Ballard Food Bank advocate wanted, but I stand by my vote. Good day

churchneighbor

I think this thread started by an article on the Ballard Food Bank closing their soup kitchen at Calvary Lutheran Church. Yet it has turned into a bitching session for everything wrong in Ballard, particularly with issues surrounding the homeless here in Ballard.

Lets get back to what that threat asks of us. Tell BFB how the soup kitchen at Calvary has personally impacted you and give them some ideas to address your issues at their next board meeting. I don't think hippy tea girl is the issue here.

BFB has been a long standing member of this community that like it or not has done much for those that truly need their services over the years. Whether you agree of disagree with their mission, lets get back to topic here and give BFB some ideas. They respected our opinions enough to close one of their programs.

Lefty

I can't believe the amount of people that mistake "compassion" for bums as keeping them more comfortable while still being on the street. It allows you to feel charitable without actually being charitable. If you want to make a difference, get them off the street.

Black Helicopter Operations

The Ballard News Tribune - Bergen Park story, I just read. It seems he is an artist with a "nook" at that stereo store next to the Chai House. He has a show there, in the shop I guess, but lives in Olsens Lot in his car, and was bitching about no shower. It seems he is a Bergen Park spokesman of some sort, for the transients he hangs out with there. He sees people smoking Pot and drinkin there, but no "hard drugs", which is obviously just fine with him. The story is biased in an obvious Pro transient slant if you read it... They are all the cats meow basically. Clever artists...

MJ

Jeez Susan...are you kidding me??? I was just on Market Street, there are porta pottys everywhere on the streets, no one has to use our parks or streets as a bathroom. If an artist needed a shower, whereve he was having an art show coudl perhaps show support by letting him use a facility, ya think? I will personally carry on every complaint I can to prohibit a car camp from being a part of our community...not going to happen. Susan, if you are so supportive invite the artist over to your house for a shower...we do too much as it is...

susan

Maybe we could have the business owners chip in for a bathroom for Bergen Park. A shower too would be pretty cheap if you can run the plumbing from that building there. Who owns that building? Olsen? With permission from the owner, a shower for those artist would be pretty simple, and I know a guy who would run the pipes underground nice and neat. The car campground will be only two blocks away, but thats not for another month or two I think.

e/c

Susan-
There is no one saying they will not be supportive of the homeless in Ballard...just not the throngs that come here becuase of all the tolerance...i.e. drug use, alcohol in public, inappropriate behavior. Every town big and small usually have a homeless population. I think what is important is to have a population we can actually help and support with the resources we have. The goal is to help these folks go from homeless to being a productive member of society. This goes for the artist guy and others who just need a leg up. Ballard has no need to tolerate or support the people who are not apprecitative or show their gratidue by shooting up drugs, being drunk in public, or using our streets as toliets. I personally saw a drunk or drug imparied guy in his 30's peeing openly on the building where Kitchen and Things are at 8:30am on a workday morning...he totally dropped his pants and peed with a line of traffic on 24th watching! I am no longer going to tolerate that behavior...are you?

Susan

I was by Bergen Park and just saw some cool looking guys playing hackeysack and some artist looking types. We should be encouraging these counterculture free thinkers, because as we have seen, many become the great artists, politicians and musicians of tommarrow.

Even the frount page Bergen Park Story in The Ballard News Tribune last week, quoted the Chai House guy as saying, there is nothing more than a little pot being smoked there. It's basically legal in WA state. Move on to bigger problems.

The man is an artist who lives in his car in Olsens Parking lot. The poor guy did not even have a shower and had a big art show coming up. Is this what Ballard has become? Artists being chased off?

Look the story at the Ballard News Tribune page, who by the way, took a pro artist and homeless stance, unlike you yuppies. We need to foster this community and provide basic needs like showers and housing.

SPG

trizzle, When you accosted by the bums, call the police. It's assault and they have to respond, even if it's just to give the bums a talking to.
We'll have as much crime as we're willing to condone.

Nordic Woman

Ballard Hippy Girl.

Bergen Park was dedicated by the King of Norway for the people of Ballard, not the bums of Ballard.

BTW, Ballard has traditionally been a blue-collar, working clsss neighborhood, not a "rich" one, as you suppose.

I have an idea. sSince we seem to have made Ballard an attractive place for vagrants, we can just as easily make it UN-attractive. How? Get rid of the soup kitchens, homeless shelters, AND make it a non-panhandling zone. It is illegal to panhandle in Tacoma, why not here? All of the resources that our parents and their parents put in place for the residents of this neighborhood are being taken over by vagrants: the parks, the library, the sidewalks. Friday night on Ballard Avenue I saw one guy peeing in the Olympic Althletic Club parking lot, and another on Leary. I read about the guy defecating Friday night in the bushes outside the library. How many people wnt to take their kids to a movie or dinner in Ballard and run that kind of gauntlet getting back to their car?

We need to take back our streets now. Crime is at a historical all time high. I say it's time to stop supporting the "iffestyle" of vagrants and meth heads. Quit feeding them, and quit giving them money. Wehave had the "Welcome"mat out for far too long in Ballard.

Vagrant

Even the Dutch are getting sick and tired of all the street crime the permissive drug culture has brought and are trying to roll it back. What was fun 20 yeers ago in Amsterdam is now a total pain with all the pick pockets and strung out addicts. Long gone are the days of sitting around smoking hash with a bunch of other college educaded, taking a break from life, smokers. The whole scene has been over taken by hard core dealers, eastern European gangsters, Russian thugs, and new, low class euro-trash.

e/c

I can't find the article right now, but it was a program where inmates released from Portland jails with no where to go, no family no jobs were being given one way bus tickets to Seattle. The thought behind it was that there were nore jobs in Seattle. They ended up here with whatever skills got them in jail in the first place, and homeless of course...

trizzle

Also they are hanging around the former dennys. I have seen them a block up from market, getting wasted. I am not loving that stretch of my walk to work.

trizzle

Someone is putting cameras up, like Monday. Amsterdam has parks for users, but they are not in the center of the town, and they are hidden, and people aren't openly deficating in them. Saw it in Bergen park too. I work just off Market, and even in the middle of the day, I sometimes feel uncomfortable by the presence/threat of some of these people. (Plus crapping in the park is just gross). I for one am tired of watching the same few intoxicated people slowly cross against the light, block traffic, say disgusting things to me (i am a younger woman) while they hang outside of tullys, etc... Going to the library or the Bartells shouldn't warrant a biohazard suit, and a can of mace.

Black Helicopter Operations

Wait, I mean City Team. Some sort of feeding program downtown

Black Helicopter Operations

The word is City Street was shut down, and they are being bussed in for the soup kitchens. Also, word is Portland is actually paying the worst of the worst bus fare to come here. Can this be verified?

e/c

Give the Chai house a break, no one said they support or endorse this looney hippy chick.

Black Helicopter Operations

Two more businesses robbed. Time to go high tech and start rigging up cameras folks. Not my first choice, but what else can be done.... the kind the point onto the sidewalk and frount door.

Vagrant

Why can't the Chai House go out of business? That would be a good start to cleaning up the block.

a neighbor

Hippy Girl, I lived in the Netherlands and another European country for nearly 6 years. Believe you me, even druggies and the homeless had social norms and appropriate behavior they were expected to adhere to unlike the entitlement culture of Seattle's transient population.

MJ

Ballard Hippy dippy chick-
A needle exchange program...are you high? Wait...oh yeah you are..otherwise you would never say what you do...
This has nothing to do with the rich or the poor..and certainly nothing to do with the Kirkland...it's about as community of people who want what is in the best interest of those who are trying to preserve their neighborhoods, the people in it...it's take a village babe! Playing safe means you don't allow the use of illegal substances in your community, or turn a blind eye to inappropriate behavior, or ignore the needs of all people to feel safe...that’s all people hippy dippy! There are homeless everywhere and it's nothing new, and we have taken care of them for years. The voice here is saying we do not want to be a repository for truckloads of homeless to be dropped off here or attracted here because we are so generous and kind...which hippy chick got us into this situation in the first place!! There is nothing glamorous or exciting about being a drug addict or a alcoholic...it ruins lives, and destroys families. There is free drug and alcohol counseling available in King County and there are free needle exchange programs in the city of Seattle, maybe not Ballard in our parks or the Chai house..but for those that want them, they are available. Hippy chick open a book, get educated and know a little more before you fire up your computer and decide you know so much...they don’t call it the information highway for nothing!

Lefty

Hippy Girl

Maybe if we had a needle exchange program?

Oh yeah, that would fix everything.

You have obviously completely fired whatever meager about of brain cells you were born with. I step over filth like yourself every time I walk on Market. I frequent the businesses you camp out in front of. You are a blight in Ballard that will only get worse.

Ballard hippy tea girl

maybe if we people had a needle exchance program there once a week you could be helpful rather than the rich attacking the porr. go back to kirkland. playing safe is important for ballard too, not just homless. they have one downtown but not in ballard

The Raven

Hey, far as I'm concerned you're all one kind: human. Food! Krawk!

linus

Yes, Amy. I don't know if this .... "creep" for lack of a better term is new to town, but 16 years ago I was standing at a bus stop when a man walked up and grabbed me under my skirt. This was just as the bus turned the corner with its bright headlights, and he ran away.

If that same guy is still out doing his thing, he must be relieved to know that people will be focussing their efforts on this new wave of transients.

That said, I think yeah, probably more people selling meth than the police have time for is a very very bad thing.

Frantic Freddie

" the shelters themselves can be intimidating"

Bums scared of bums. What are WE supposed to think when they don't even like their own kind?

Hippy Dippy girl: I grew up in Europe, (3 countries) and spent many summers in Amsterdam. The reason Amsterdam is fun is because they are Dutch, not entitlement morons like you & your friends I see at the Chai House every evening.

e/c

This article published on 11/27/03

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/150147_cbal...

talks about why the homeless population has increased in Ballard..to quote one part of the article:

"Ballard is a much better place to be homeless than downtown Seattle, Ferraro said as he sipped his coffee: There's little violence, and plenty of secluded spots to spend the night. Downtown, it can be tough, very tough, to get shelter space, and the shelters themselves can be intimidating. "It's quiet out here," Ferraro, 53, said. "If you stay in doorways, people don't really bother you. It's mellower out here."
And that may be the reason why Ballard, Seattle's venerable Nordic neighborhood, appears to be experiencing a healthy increase in the number of homeless seeking refuge there, apparently more so than other neighborhoods.
In October, the region's annual one-night count of the homeless showed a jump in the neighborhood from 109 last year to 253 this year. In part, that's because more experienced people were sent out to canvass Ballard for people living on the streets or in cars. But that certainly doesn't explain all of the difference, according to agencies that work with the homeless.

Some Ballard residents might be surprised by the news, said Dan Wise, co-chairman of the Seattle-King County Coalition for the Homeless.

So this increase has been going on for the past 6 years...and the popularity of Ballard as a homeless haven has no doubt grown

Amy, thanks for the update that not many homeless are driving cars, but the downtown has changed,and there are more personal threats..it maybe a combo of a lot of things, but I think the articles says it all....not sure what it has to do with basement dwellers, or Dr. Pepper, but glad you got on your computer long enough to let us know how you feel..

Amy

"Wednesday, Feb. 25, around 5:30 p.m., a woman was walking in the 1200 block of 9th Avenue Northwest when she realized she was being followed by a man in a car (she provided no description of the vehicle). He pulled up alongside and asked if he could take her picture...-- Black Helicopter

Creepy car-driving guy? Sounds more like the ex-principal of Whittier to me.

In all of the scarybadthings you posted, the aggressors weren't described as vagrants or transients. They're probably our own homegrown freaks (with the exception of Mr. South Seattle).

Get this, I walk down Market Street at NIGHT. And so do hundreds of other people; we enjoy speaking, eating, drinking with other human beings.

That's right, we left our basements, put down the Dr. Pepper and turned off the computer. Crazy, huh.

e/c

why bother giving this hippy chick so much press? She is hardly worth noting....

MJ

Hippy dippy tea girl, not sure what you are brewing, but to equate drungs and dangerous situations in a park as cool says it all.

Bergen Place is an open park for the community to share and enjoy. I am not sure who you mean by "WE" when referring to : ‘We don’t want your world and don’t ask anything in return.’
but if that is the way you feel, Amsterdam or any other city is awaiting you..and when you can't work or fall on hard times becuase of your recreational habits, please remember we aren't too happy about having to support you through any of our welfare programs.

The people that complain pay taxes and are prohibited from enjoying a park we actually played a financial part in it being put in place...get a grip hippy dippy and grow up!

SPG

"begin Park has always been for exploring limits and bounderies. drug or otherwise. all the people that complain should stay away cause it the last cool spot plus the chai house. we dont want you worl and dont ask nothing return"

My apologies if you are dyslexic, but for everyone else's benefit I'll clean up your mess...

'Bergen Park has always been a place for exploring limits and boundaries, whether drug or otherwise. All the people that complain about it should stay away because it is the last cool spot along with the chai house.'

This is hardly the case. Bergen Park has never been a place for pushing any boundaries. It's in the open in the middle of downtown Ballard.
Just because you sit down somewhere does not give you title and deed to the property and cart blanche to do with it what you please. Although many of us may have issues with the current drug policy, I doubt that any Ballard residents (again that doesn't mean squatters and transients) would want an open air drug market in the middle of our downtown.

'We don't want your world and don't ask anything in return.'

If you wish to exclude yourself from society and tattoo your face while smoking crack, fine, just don't expect any of us to pat you on the back for it.
Just because certain behavior and criminal activity hasn't been dealt with by the police, don't kid yourself to think that it is being condoned. They'll get around to it.
Take over the park? Nope. That's not gonna fly and I'd be very surprised if the drug dealers aren't rounded up shortly. The city and SPD are losing their patience.

Saw it go down

Ballard hippy tea girl-

well, no other way to put it your either a troll or a an idiot. I doubt the chai house which is a business really wants their name dragged into this. But who knows, maybe you will bring in the drug customers. I hear after blasting off you feel like a nice Hot chai. Hmmmm, tweak and tea sounds like a new business idea. I will go by and ask them tomorrow thought, if they support drugs in the park right next to their front door, i'm not psychic but I am pretty sure they are in business to make atleast a living. Get off your daddy's nipple then come back kiddo.

Ballard hippy tea girl

i dont take drugs . i only drink and not in the park. but, if you traveled you would know places like amsterdam have parks set up for that. you should get outta ballard and learn.thast would be safer for teens than at home were that parents at work. that park is part of the chaihouse and last summer has a concert there to raise money

kim

ballard hippy tea girl-

thanks for the heads up to the criminal activity (like we didn't already know) but you have admitted to the crimes that occur there. don't be surprised if you have to suffer the consequences of your actions. you remind me of an erratic driver in a company vehicle w/the phone # posted. just asking to be turned in.

churchneighbor

Black Helicopter:
I really think you should go volunteer at the food bank on a Wednesday or Thursday to see for yourself who goes through the line. You have no idea what you are talking about.

The people that make up the bulk of the food bank line are NOT transients. They are elderly folks, families and these days many people who have recently lost their jobs.

If you can't or won't volunteer, I suggest you drive by any Wednesday or Thursday just before they open the doors at the food bank. Then come back and tell us about the transients in that line.

Ballard hippy tea girl

begin Park has always been for exploring limits and bounderies. drug or otherwise. all the people that complain should stay away cause it the last cool spot plus the chai house. we dont want you worl and dont ask nothing return

MJ

sorry, I menat NO soup kitchen need to be here in Ballard (post #15) I do think we need a Food Bank, it serves a purpose to our community and shoudl be supported. Ido not agree with bus loads of homless being dropped off in our neighborhood to be served free soup/lunch or whatever. We cannot accomodate teh amount of people that they bring in here . AS acommunity we shoudl support and take care of our own, but use of a food bank or meals on wheels etc. If we have an over abundance of food at our Food bank we should support other communities by giving what we don't need to them...not have them dropped off here, and then open up churches as homesless shelters,or even consider settingup car camp/sanitation stations so folks can live in Ballard in their vehicles.

Ballard Hippy tea girl..get real, or perhaps stay off the weed for a few hours..what goes on in Bergen Place is dangerous and out of hand..get a grip and look beyond the haze. If you can't abide by the law concerning drugs and public use of alcohol, then go live in a commune in Mexico and get a good look at what the war on drugs looks like..doubt you will survive the night...jeesh!

churchneighbor

I live near Calvary. I have also volunteered at the food bank and soup kitchen in the past. In some ways it is sad to see the soup kitchen close because there are some good people who go there and really appreciate the meal. Too bad the misfits ruined that. I applaud the food bank for responding to the community concerns by making what must have been a very difficult decision.

The soup kitchen started out as a good thing, way back when it was still at the food bank, fed way less people and mostly those who were food bank clients. Since the soup kitchen moved to Calvary, the numbers who flock there have grown a lot, with a huge majority from out of the area. With the soup kitchen closed 3 out of the 4 days it operates, I think we will see far less of the homeless population wandering in this area.

I'm not sure if anyone is aware of this, but the food bank clients and soup kitchen clients are two different groups. The people who visit the food bank are people who live in the area, as the food bank only serves zip codes in the Ballard, Queen Anne and Magnolia areas.The food bank serves a critical need in our area. Not only do they open the food bank 2 days a week to those that can get there, they also deliver food to needy people who are unable to come to the food bank. We should be supporting their efforts to relocate to a more suitable area of Ballard. I for one am writing a check today to support their efforts to move.

I see there seems to be some of the opinion that the food bank should be gone too. I say be careful what you wish for. There might come a time when you or someone close to you needs their services.

Ballard hippy tea girl

Bergen park is fine. The war on drugs isthe problem. If you dont like it, stay off our side of the street

Black Helicopter Operations

In your estimation, roughly would would be the percentage decrease in petty and major crime in Ballard, if there was no food bank and no free food anywhere for transients? I would wager a guess of 80 - 90%. Yet, we do anything and everything to lure transients in from all over the city. Why?

Ballard Resident

As stated I am a Ballard resident - not a transient; and I never suggested that I want children chatting with felons or anyone harmed. I suggested that it is a bit of a stretch to blame all problems, vandalism or otherwise, on the Ballard Food Bank.

Black Helicopter Operations

Never said vandalism. I posted an article about these transients covering thier faces and following woman home. One was so terrified, she banged on random doors, thinking she was about to be raped. Your wife or daughter next? It's just par for the course in Ballard afterall....

Then, we have a transient attacking Ballard Ave bar customers, threatening to murder the staff... Naturally, the bar owner won't post anything here, when we all could use a first hand account.

If we had an army of weird people 10 years ago on Market Street, as you say, that means we need to stock up on some more for the summer season? You don't mind your daughter being followed home as we read about in the story above? You want your kids chatting with the felons just out of Jail who hang out in Bergen park selling drugs all day? Your nuts

Let me guess... your a transient at the Ballard library, correct? Say hello to the little girl in the next cubicle while you're there, will ya?

Sorry, 10 years ago we did not have dozens of maniacs up and down Market Street, living in Bergen Park, living in the library, and openly selling crystal Meth outside 7 11 every night. I was here and it was not going on. Again, I assume you and the others are transients on the library computer. No person in thier right mind would put up with this garbage. Especially, a person with kids.

Ballard Resident

Black Helicopter - The Ballard Food Bank has been in Ballard far longer than 10 years; more like going on 30 years. I've lived in Ballard since 1986, there were plenty of what you refer to as "weird" folks here then too. It is a bit of a stretch to blame all vandalism and problems in the neighborhood on the food bank.

Lefty

No one should be surprised that lowlife's congregate around free services. This isn't rocket science.

On 24th NW

I've lived, for more than 10 years, next to the Ballard Food Bank, never had any trouble. Never w/any homeless, ever...@15 it's only been teenagers and drunk middle class 20 somethings out to prove themselves. Who do you think leaves those fresh tags on Saturday nights the city expects you to clean up by Monday morning? And there were plenty of "weirdos" wandering around Ballard 10 years ago, the over sereved fishermen fresh off fishing boats.

Black Helicopter Operations

Dont feel guilty. ANYONE who was here 10 years ago knows full well, if there was even ONE weird person in the neighborhood, everyone would say "Hey, who the heck was that strange guy?" Now, the "New Ballard" politically correct bunch, wanna make it into a damn campground. I'm sorry, but they have ruined my neighborhood and I am not happy. "Here we are with our condo's, boutiques and transients.. Take us or leave us. We are New Ballard"

No Thanks

MJ

T the risk of sounding too protective of our wonderful community, I can't help but agree with Black Helicopter Operations post (#13) I have a 15 year old daughter who likes to walk on Market Street, shop and eat after school and on weekends...I have had to rethink her doing that becuase of the *new* population she encounters in ever increasing numbers on Market Street, and in old Ballard. My teens are always home no later than 9:00pm..but now that does not even feel safe..it's pretty bad when a community cannot walk their own streets without being fearful...and to be clear it is usually the mentally ill, or drug/alcohol impaired homeless folks that ruin it for the rest of the decent folks who are homeless and could use some help.

I agree free soup or lunch kitchens should be here..we in Ballard have become known for high tolernace of it all..no wonder they have been flocking here!

Black Helicopter Operations

Wednesday, Feb. 25, around 5:30 p.m., a woman was walking in the 1200 block of 9th Avenue Northwest when she realized she was being followed by a man in a car (she provided no description of the vehicle). He pulled up alongside and asked if he could take her picture. She began knocking on doors of homes, trying to get assistance. The man then asked, “Do you live here?” The man kept pace with her but drove off when someone finally answered her knock. He is a white male with black hair (but balding).

Late Thursday, a man whose face was covered by a scarf followed two women who were walking in the 7700 block of 3rd Avenue Northwest. He was walking quickly and did not respond when one of the victims yelled at him. After they entered a residence, he remained outside on a corner and seemed to be “casing” a nearby car. He was a white male with a slim build, appeared to be between 18-21 years old, and wore a hooded dark coat and a scarf over his face.

Around 6 p.m. Friday, as three young girls walked on Northwest Blueridge Drive, a tan or gold Toyota with four teenage boys drove by. One boy, a white male with short blond or strawberry hair and a black ski cap, asked the girls four or five times, “Hey, do you want some candy?” The girls were scared, and heard the boy laughing out loud as they ran away. A 54-year-old south-Seattle resident was found lying on the sidewalk in front of the bus stop at 14th and Market. As officers roused him for a chat, he kept trying to walk out into traffic and had to be held down on the bench. He was taken to the hospital for a mental evaluation.

Late Friday, Feb. 27, officers used a taser after a man wielded a box cutter at passersby in the 5100 block of Ballard Avenue Northwest. The man had been refused service at one bar and had been told to leave another after insulting female patrons. He threatened to kill several employees (who managed to keep patrons and bystanders away from the man until officers arrived). The man ignored officers' orders to drop the weapon, and the first use of the taser had little effect, likely due to the man's heavy clothing. On a second try, the officer was able to aim the device so that it made better contact and, indeed, the suspect fell to the pavement, momentarily dazed. He quickly became agitated and belligerent, struggling with the officer who was handcuffing him and saying, “Kill me! Kill me!” The 42-year-old was taken to Harborview for treatment until he could be booked into King County Jail for investigation of harassment.

At Adams Elementary School, someone stole a teacher's purse from her unlocked classroom.

Black Helicopter Operations

I would like it shut down for good. There is an explosion of dangerous transients walking Market street suddenly, who are like nomads following food.

We NEVER had this problem until the food bank and these free lunches showed up. It might not be politically correct, but I would like the food bank moved out of here as well. Move it to the U district or Broadway where it can help more transients.

Read this weeks Ballard News Tribune. Countless stories of woman being followed home by the maniacs. One had to literally bang on doors for help, because she thought she was about to be MURDERED. It's no longer worth it, and there are plenty of resources outside of a FAMILY NEIGHBORHOOD like Ballard. I'm sorry, but when these people start following woman home, and chasing them down to the point where they bang on doors, terrified for help, the food bank and these ex con transients must go. I mean, do you know how many of these people are wanted on felony warrants or just released from prison and have no money? Lots and lots.

Would you really let your daughter walk down Market Street or into 7 11 by the drug dealers at night these days? You would have to be mad.

Looks at Bergen Park for Christs Sake. Its all people waiting for the free lunch and damn food bank. It's RUINED Ballard. Would you let your kids play in Bergen park? This place will be a virtual campground of felons this summer if we dont smarten up, quickly.

Vagrant

If they move, I'll send money too.

a neighbor

After too many encounters with what can only be called inappropriate public behavior from BFB patrons (on the sidewalk, on the 18 bus, in front of Calvary Lutheran) I had decided to never support BFB. After reading this I will reconsider.

Rudy

hunger is primal - trying to do much more than a bowl of soup with folks burdened with many problems - good luck

1. move to a non residential area

2. get some gruff old men involved, the kind like myself who can shout back and be intimidating to drunks and psychos

3. side work is great

4. feed basics, not mommas best food, and keep it institutional

5. the traveling moochers will give up - have the cops drive by a lot at first

6. tlk to the missions, experts in all of this

Good luck - I will send money.... you bet

Saw it go down

Tom-
I disagree. I think they did the right thing. This teaches people if they do not follow a standard of behavior there will be an action to stop them. Like my children, when they do not listen or break a rule they get some sort of punishment. I think it would be great if they have some sort of" learn for your food" type of program. I understand it would take funding or persons with experience to donate their time. If they had a place large enough to hold meetings and maybe start some sort of training program where they sell something. Such as the lady in san fran I believe who started the bean soup packages and has women, most homeless to start with, package everything. They have classes that help teach skills needed in the real world. There are no handouts. I believe the program with the sell of the beans now pays 60% of their cost.
But the point is there are standards and rules which alot of homeless people have never had. There are civil rules we follow as habit but when you do not have that habit if makes it impossible for you be part of society. No sane business owner is going to hire someone who cusses at them and threatens to beat them each time there is a problem. I agree it is nice to help people but as the saying goes. Give a man a fish, you have feed him for one day, teach a man to fish and you have feed him for life.
On a side note it will be interesting to see if crime goes down in the area now.

tom

I'd rather they wrangle up some security, work with the local cops and reopen as soon as possible. This is not a time to close a soup kitchen.

MJ

at last accountabilty! Thank you Ballard Food bank for setting a standard!

e/c

Thank you BFB for stepping up and demanding the apprpriate behavior, we support you!

Mondoman

Kudos to the BFB for being responsive and responsible! As kim suggested, SHARE could do worse than to follow their example.

Street Urchin

I hope this is going to generate more community support for the Ballard Food Bank. The meal program was a great idea but beyond the scope of what they could adequately run - as far as funding for security and oversite to make sure the few jerks who caused trouble didn't ruin it for everyone. From what I understand they are trying to move to an area around Ballard/Interbay to run their programs that is not in a residential neighborhood and could use support not only in raising money to move but also finding the appropriate location. They're a really good organization and I hope this generates more support for them.

mike

you stay classy myballard

kim

thanks to bfb. i appreciate that they have set a standard and are adhering to it. this info should be shared the people running the mans shelter....

boardbrown

That's what I love about the Ballard Food Bank. They take their job seriously. They're serious about helping people, and they're just as serious about being a good neighbor.

It's the one local charity we support year in, year out at our house.