2009 Newsletters
Fall 2009
Summer 2009
Spring 2009
Winter 2008-2009
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Hunger Intervention Program
Newsletter for Summer 2009
HIP Summer Fundraiser. HIP raised over $20,000 for its operational budget for 2009-2010. In addition to bringing in much needed financial support, many of the 225 people who attended "Feeding the Soul" were not previously involved with the program. These new friends had a chance to hear what Hunger Intervention Program does and to meet some of the program's many volunteers. Over 60 people planned the event or prepared food or served food and wine; nearly 40 were on site to make the event go smoothly. The weather was perfect, the garden was a gorgeous as we expected, and Chef Maxime Bilet's food was unlike anything most of the guests have ever experienced. Maxime brought his entire team of 10 chefs and assistants to prepare the extraordinary items. Thanks to Andrea Chandler for finding a wonderful quartet whose music drifted over the garden.
HIP Goes Local. McDermott Place is a supportive housing project for the homeless located south of the Fred Meyer in Lake City. The building is nearly complete and will house 75 adults who are homeless due to addiction and mental health issues; the same population HIP has served for years downtown. In fact, a few clients of the shelter where HIP serves breakfast could well be housed there. McDermott Place is a project of LIHI (Low Income Housing Inc). LIHI is partnering with Sound Mental Health to provide supportive services, including employment & job training at this project.
North Helpline owns a portion of the building and will move the Lake City/Northgate food bank to the first floor of the building this Fall. There will be a free medical clinic staffed by RotaCare volunteers. Mental Health and addiction treatment services will be located on site.
McDermott Place; artist's rendering
Sadly, meals are not part of the supportive services -- so Hunger Intervention is partnering with Sound Mental Health to explore how to best provide that support.
A New HIP Client. Imagine being homeless and struggling with mental illness. You've tried a hundred times to quit using drugs for good. One day, you find yourself accepted for housing in a small but brand new studio apartment with an efficiency kitchen in McDermott Place. You have a home, at last but you are exhausted from the excitement and all your belongings have been whisked away to fumigate for bedbugs. You are scared, tired, and hungry. You open the door. There on the counter are two plump grocery bags from Hunger Intervention Program brimming with shelf stable, nutritious ready to eat or ready to heat meal items. Dinner! The day seems a little less lonely and a little less scarey.
HIP's Model. The HIP Board believes it is unrealistic to assume that having a roof over one's head confers the organizational skills, the kitchen know-how, the energy and the will to prepare three balanced meals per day, day in and day out. They also believe that community is built around food in so many ways. Many options are being considered for helping clients like the one described. HIP already provides healthy meal options for Lake City area people who are homeless or hungry. Soon, HIP volunteers will be involved in helping McDermott Place residents succeed in their placement. Some possibilities include community hot meals, entrees for clients to heat and eat, and providing special meals for those with dietary restrictions. How could you help? HIP will be working throughout the Fall months with the community and Sound Mental Health to develop the most helpful programs for this vulnerable population.
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HIP Cheers Ciscoe. Ciscoe Morris was the hit of the party at Feeding the Soul. Ciscoe dispensed garden advice and shared his inimitable joy of life and his love of all growing things. Ciscoe's generosity of spirit and willingness to help Hunger Intervention Program raise money for its programs was very humbling. Ciscoe was joined by volunteer docents from Northwest Perenniel Alliance to give garden tours and help guests identify and appreciate the exotic and lush plantings in Stacy and Rob's award winning garden. Thanks, Ciscoe!
How could you help? HIP will be working throughout the Fall months with the community and Sound Mental Health to develop the most helpful programs for this vulnerable population.
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