Sunday, April 24, 2022 | Special Advertising Section 1 R 70 SPONSORED CONTENT Making connections and building community Now more than ever, it seems important to make connections with vulnerable populations. The best way to do this, according to Jeff Wolcott, executive director of Community Lunch on Capitol Hill, is not very complex. “Recognize they exist,” he says. “A lot of folks just ignore and avoid them. Most of us want to be acknowledged and treated with dignity. Just a simple hello can make a difference.” He also believes that near-constant stigmatization of the unhoused should be avoided. Instead, he’s learned that a simple gesture of kindness could be the spark to move someone in the right direction. Furthermore, vulnerable populations benefit greatly from finding a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment where they can receive critical services and feel like part of a community. To get involved,Wolcott recommends volunteering at an organization like Community Lunch. “It gives folks the opportunity to help and connect in a structured environment,” he says. “My very first positive interactions with this vulnerable population were as a volunteer at Community Lunch.” Such organizations understand that if you wake up every day hungry, wet, cold and alone, there is great power in receiving a hot meal, coffee and warm clothes while catching up with friends and chatting with staff and volunteers who take the time to learn your name. Community Lunch is located a few blocks from the Capitol Hill link rail station and right by a bus stop. Guests arrive from Ballard, Kent, Burien and even Tacoma. “Obviously, there are other places they could receive the same basic services,”Wolcott says, “but some guests choose to travel relatively longer distances to be a part of our extended community.” They open rain, shine, snow or pandemic to provide hot meals, clothing and toiletries, plus host other basic services including vaccination clinics, wound care, outreach and case workers. Roughly 85% of the food Community Lunch uses to prepare scratch-made meals is obtained via food rescue. “We collaborate with local farmers markets, grocery stores and restaurants to ‘rescue’ food that would be thrown out but is perfectly safe for consumption,”Wolcott says. A team of staff and volunteers then prepare nutritious meals consisting of a protein-rich entree and roasted veggies. The menu is driven by what’s on hand, and they offer a vegan option, too. In addition to the hot dish, each meal consists of a snack (yogurt, raisins, etc.), fresh fruit and a PBJ sandwich. Various drinks and hot coffee are always available. “All are welcome to receive a meal,”WolJeff Wolcott, executive director of Community Lunch on Capitol Hill. For over 37 years Community Lunch on Capitol Hill has provided hot meals and other basic services in a welcoming and inclusive environment to those enduring homelessness and food insecurity. Learn more at www. communitylunch.org. cott says. “No questions. No judgment. No sign-in. Guests can take more than one meal. This allows guests to pick up meals for someone that cannot make it to the service for various reasons.” Though the majority of the food is donated, other expenses have spiked significantly. Critical meal supplies like cups and take-out bags have doubled in price since last fall. The organization has not missed a meal in 37 years. Wolcott credits a highly dedicated team of volunteers and staff that take pride in making sure hot food is served regardless of the circumstances. “Hunger does not stop for heat, snow, ice or a pandemic,” he says. “The team knows if we do not operate for a day, that will be 200-plus meals missed. For many of our guests, this is the only meal they will have for the day (or longer).” A few years ago, Community Lunch had a part-time employee who started as a guest who had attended meals for a few months. “He is now housed and has a job in the South Sound,”Wolcott says. “Despite his personal challenges, we gave him a chance and he was able to better his situation.” Another longtime guest, an older woman who has faced numerous life challenges, was just housed last fall after starting work with a caseworker. “They used the lunch as the meeting spot, and we helped coordinate communication since she didn’t have access to a phone,”Wolcott says. “She still regularly visits the meals to eat, meet friends and chat with staff and volunteers.” Wolcott loves being able to help provide hot meals, clothing and other basic services to those in need. Yet the most rewarding part of the job? Working directly with the guests. “I enjoy learning their names and stories,” he says. “I love celebrating their successes and being there when they are having a rough day. It makes me realize how close we all are to being in their shoes.” PROVIDED BY COMMUNITY LUNCH ON CAPITOL HILL Read story online Over 50,000 meals are prepared and served every week by a Community Lunch team of staff and volunteers. All meals are made from scratch and a vegan option is always available. (Community Lunch)
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