EASTSIDE INTERFAITH SOCIAL CONCERNS COUNCIL MINUTES

P.O. Box 662, Bellevue, WA 98009-0662

July 13, 2010

The meeting was held in Bristol Hall of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church on July 13, 2010, beginning at 12:00 noon.

OPENING PRAYER was provided by Dave Emery of Bridge Ministries.

SELF-INTRODUCTIONS were made by those present.

MINUTES of the June 8, 2010 meeting were approved as distributed.

BYLAWS were approved by unanimous show of hands.

CONGREGATIONS FOR THE HOMELESS. Steve Roberts reported that the shelter is currently at St Thomas Episcopal Church, Medina. The first annual fundraiser will be held as a no-cost lunch on Wednesday, September 22, from 11:30 - 1:30 p.m. at the Pickering Barn, Issaquah. Guest speaker will be Richard LeMieux, author of Breakfast at Sally's. Information and reservations: staceyw@cfhomeless.org or 425-765-1782.

THE SOPHIA WAY. There are 37 women in housing, and 12 more are expected this year. Funds have been raised for housing, though a major shortfall is expected. This year Ice Cream on Sundays are a fund-raiser. November 4 will be an opportunity for fund-raising.

CONGREGATIONS FOR KIDS. There are 22% more requests this year for annual collection of school supplies and backpacks.
Website is www.congregations4kids.

LEGISLATIVE ISSUES. Nancy Bent (nancybent@comcast.net) will share information on immigration.

REFRESHMENTS were provided by Nancy Bent, Michael Johnson, Sandy Lewis, Marilyn Rands, and Karen Mae Smith.

PROGRAM. Eastside Baby Corner. (425-865-0234 ). Speakers: Helen Banks Routon (Helenr@babycorner.org) and MaSandaLaRaGadd (masandag@babycorner.org)

Eastside Baby Corner was founded 20 years ago as a distribution center to provide everything kids need to age 12, what parents need to enable children to thrive. Supplies are distributed to 45 agencies, among a total of 125 providers,, including Hopelink, Salvation Army, and Eastside Domestic Program.,

With the help of 65 volunteers each week plus 100 for other occasions, EBS prepares 150-200 clothing bags weekly, 6800 per year, containing toys, books, stuffed animals, and a week's worth of clothing. There is also a maternity bag. Among goods included are blankets made by community crafters, quilts, knitted cap, bottles, beds, potty chairs, etc. Faith-based organizations, including St. Margaret's Thrift Shop, provide 5% of cash flow, and EBS purchases goods at low prices. Most of their support comes from the community, for example, from collection corners in congregations. On-line ordering is available for agencies, with each provider receiving 25 items per week. In 2009, $84 thousand was spent on diapers, of which 2000 cases were provided for food banks. Clothing bags distributed increased by 23% and formula by 20%. There has been explosive growth in need in the last year or two. As of two years ago, there is a full governing board and one full-time and two part-time employees. There are 28 agencies on a waiting list, and 50 providers would like more supplies, including 80% who need more diapers.

Because their current space will be replaced by development, some donations are used for facilities, as well as for staff.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

CLOSING PRAYER: Closing Prayer was offered by Nancy Bent, EISCC Legislative Coordinator.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, September 14, 2010, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m., (Note; There is no meeting in August)

PROGRAM: CONGREGATIONS FOR THE HOMELESS

LOCATION: BRISTOL HALL, ST. MARGARET’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 4228 FACTORIA BOULEVARD SE, BELLEVUE (ACROSS FROM NEWPORT HIGH SCHOOL)

Sally Wing
Secretary Pro Tem