Spreading hope in a brown bag
Published 9:00 am Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Woodward students take lunches to Seattle’s downtrodden.
To some 40 homeless people in Seattle’s Occidental Park, Woodward Middle School students brought more than lunch.
Distributing bag lunches to the homeless in Seattle Friday, the school’s leadership class helped fulfill a mission of the Sebastion Galpert Scholarship Fund. The project was one of the first awards given out by the fund for “Adventures in Altruism” proposed by middle school students.
“The thing people on the street thank me for is for bringing people like you around,” said the Rev. Nyer Urness, an islander and retired pastor who has worked with Seattle’s homeless population for more than 30 years.
“You’re a symbol of hope.”
Leadership teacher Scott Orness told the class about the fund last December, and the idea for a Seattle outreach followed.
Eighth grader Grace Yoakum priced out the lunches at Safeway; for just under $200, the class filled 51 bags with non-perishable items like apples, power bars and juice boxes, which a person could eat between meals.
“If anything, it’ll give (students) a nice level of awareness walking through Seattle,” teacher Scott Orness said. “It’s nice to see other things ‘out there’ instead of just what’s in front.”
Parent and Woodward teacher Marilyn Tsolomitis said, “I really hope kids take away a sense there are big and small things they can do to help their fellow neighbor right next door or the greater community. That they have the power to do something.”
Urness met the group at Colman Dock. The group walked along the waterfront, stopping with Urness to talk and ask after each homeless person. The lunches were appreciated, the conversation more so.
“You’re giving the gift of happy thoughts and smiles,” he said. “The lunches are fine, but smiles are better. People are going through rough, rough times.”
One man wearing a bike helmet said he was from Cuba.
“For me, the American flag is the freedom flag,” he said. “I’m grateful to be here.”
A man who identified himself as Michael, shining shoes by Mediterranean Mix on First Avenue with real showman energy and patter, gathered the group around and asked each person “Why were you born?” then sang “Born to Serve the Lord.”
“When you come here to talk and help people, it’s to serve the Lord,” Michael said. “I’m on the street, but happy because God is everything to me.”
The trip gave the students a lot to think about.
“It was really cool because it was so humbling,” seventh grader Jesse Vincent said. “They feel so grateful to be in America and I think about the things I complain about.”
After passing out the last of the lunches in Occidental Park, eighth grader Ali Maier said she was impressed that everyone she gave a lunch to said “God bless you.”
Asked who becomes homeless, Urness said, “even doctors and lawyers,” although he estimates half are Vietnam vets. He related the story of one man whose wife died, then lost his father and brother in an accident as they traveled to attend the funeral.
“He just lost it,” Urness said. “I’ve seen people from all over – different faiths. Anyone can become homeless, can become depressed.”
The Compass Center where Urness works now provides showers, and acts as post office and bank for homeless people. The center helps some manage paychecks by holding rent money and doling out allowances.
Urness says people make it off the streets, but “don’t know when or how it’ll happen.”
“I was surprised that it’s mostly short term for people,” eighth grader Frank Murdock said. “I thought if you became homeless, it was for the rest of your life.”
Although giving out the lunches felt awkward at first “it felt really good inside after I did it,” he said.
