Comments on: Task force report on SHARE homeless shelter

By: nancymckinney

nancymckinney — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:26:40 +0000

This message is not intended to start a debate - it is to answer some of the questions that I saw on the comment thread this morning. If you have any questions or concerns you are welcome to call me directly.

The Ballard Food Bank distributes food to those that live in 98107, 98117 and 98199. If someone is living in a shelter, house, apartment, etc. in our distribution area, and they come to the food bank for services, we will ensure that they get food.

When people come to the food bank, for food, that do not live in our catchment area our policy is to serve them on that day and give them referrals to their reference food bank.

We are working with Our Redeemer's Shelter Liaison to get food to the shelter so that the residents are not in danger of breaking their contract which in part states that they will not be within the direct area of the shelter from 7 am to 7 pm. My understanding is that the residents sign off on the exclusion piece, it is part of their shelter rules.

Food banks are not able to be the only source of food for anyone; if you want to assist the men at the shelter the story that began this conversation has instructions outlining the best way to get food to them.

In regards to garbage in the immediate vicinity of the food bank, we are aware that garbage is a constant problem. We will continue to run garbage detail several times a day on our distribution days.

Thanks,

Nancy McKinney

By: ACLU - know about this?

ACLU - know about this? — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 05:06:26 +0000

I can't fathom how it is legal to exclude anyone from any part of the city? I can understand how people might be fearful of the unknown so perhaps if it was a family shelter these concerns would be mitigated?

By: Ballardmom

Ballardmom — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 04:46:34 +0000

So far it seems like the shelter has not caused any problems and that's a big relief. I'm surprised that though they can house 20 men there are only 13 right now – surely there are 7 more homeless men in Seattle who need shelter. Maybe a lot of them don't want to adhere to SHARE's rules though so they pass up a chance to stay in the shelter? Which bodes well for SHARE and shows they are sticking to a code of conduct. I think a lot of the reason Salmon Bay Park is a nicer place for families the last couple months though is because the poorly run soup kitchen program has ended. Speaking of which, I wondered too why the Ballard Food Bank should be off-limits but at the same time in a situation like this that is so controversial and sketchy to begin with it's probably good to have very clear, unwavering boundaries for everyone.

By: luvballard

luvballard — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:03:43 +0000

I humbly admit that I was one that was concerned over Share's location in my neighborhood. Every irrational fear inside me sparked but I fortunately was greatly proved wrong. I dont' even notice them there. It has been quiet and overall they have been a respectful neighbor.
what is a bigger hassle is the food bank. I KNOW that not everyone that visits the foodbank is homeless and probably 99% are respectful to the neighborhoods but I have to say that the 1% that isn't respectful are just plain obnoxious. They leave food, garbage at the bus stop and to their entire path down to Market. I know the people who run the foodbank are trying their best but it gets so annoying. I've spotted them more than once peeing in my neighbor's yard. One of my other neighbors had to actually attach string to their yard so the homeless wouldn't sleep on their lawn!

By: chopper_74

chopper_74 — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 01:08:26 +0000

That's the stated goal, it doesn't appear to be the case.
The shelter is a separate entity, and should not be included. I don't believe that the exclusion zone should be compromised, at all.

By: ducksinseattle

ducksinseattle — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:35:57 +0000

Thanks for that information. It does make sense, and clears up a question in my mind that I've been too lazy to research. I've wondered whether people from outside our area can obtain food at the Ballard food bank. So, I guess these SHARE guys aren't considered to be Ballard residents.

By: Underpants_Gnome

Underpants_Gnome — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:25:25 +0000

I thought that the Ballard Food Bank was set up to provide food to locals. Here's what their web site says: “The Ballard Food Bank offers free food to those in the 98107, 98117 and 98199 zip codes. ” If that's true, then it makes sense to me that the food bank would not be providing food to people who are bused into Ballard and are not residents.

By: nwcitizen

nwcitizen — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:03:19 +0000

Off-site grocery distribution for the Food Bank: Monday evening, 5:00 – 7:00 pm, at Our Redeemer's Church, 2400 NW 85th Street.

By: USS Alliance

USS Alliance — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 23:31:05 +0000

How nice.

By: NoraBell

NoraBell — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 22:53:01 +0000

You'd think so. But that would take common sense.

By: ducksinseattle

ducksinseattle — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 22:35:32 +0000

Hmmm, seems unfair that SHARE members cannot use the food bank because it's within a ten-block exclusion zone. Couldn't it be excluded from the exclusion zone? Or, included in an inclusion zone…