Wrangell residents send supplies to Seattle homeless shelters

With the holiday season approaching, thoughts turn not only to what people want or already have, but by extension to those things others might lack.

Wrangell resident Brittani Roane was on medical leave in Seattle for a week earlier last month. She explained she often travels to the city, but on this particular occasion was accommodated in the city's downtown area.

While there, Roane was struck by the number of homeless people in the surrounding neighborhood. In its 36th annual tally in January, the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness reported more than 4,500 people were found to be living without shelter, with more than a third living in vehicles. A considerable number were also seen sleeping in doorways, under roadways, in parking garages and parks, or otherwise living without a discernible place to live. A further 3,200 people were living in shelters, with nearly 3,000 others considered to be transitional.

The city's problem is a rising one, with the 2016 count indicating an increase of 19 percent over the previous year. Numbers in the annual headcount are additionally assumed to be an undercount, due to a limitation on volunteers' resources and the efforts of many homeless to remain out of view. The organization points out a number of reasons contributing to homelessness, including lack of affordable housing, poverty, unemployment, untreated mental illness or addiction, and domestic violence.

Having seen the problem firsthand, Roane found her thoughts remained in Seattle as Wrangell's autumn started turning to winter.

"It was cold and I was thinking about the homeless," she said.

Roane contacted Seattle's Union Gospel Mission in Kent, a nonprofit which provides emergency care and long-term recovery services to the homeless, the hungry, and those considered at-risk in the wider metropolitan area. Getting some ideas on how to be of help, she began reaching out to community for donations in order to put together winter assistance bags to be distributed by the mission.

"The response was beautiful and overwhelming. I cried more than once from the outpouring of love this little island had to offer to something so much bigger than us," Roane exclaimed.

Wrangellites raised over $900 in cash and tangible goods for the effort, which went to acquire 60 waterproof drawstring bags and backpacks. The first half of these were largely filled by volunteers at Island of Faith Lutheran Church, containing a variety of sanitary items and clothing. Roane and her family then transported the bags down to Seattle, where additional winter gear like hats and scarves were acquired to complete the sets.

Most of the bags went to the KentHOPE Women and Children's Day Center, which hosts on average 30 women and children each day to meet their immediate needs. This includes providing three meals a day, showers, laundry facilities, clothing, health care, skills classes and other amenities. The organization further works with community partners to find jobs and housing for its guests.

"The day-house was particularly exciting," Roane said, because of its purpose and smaller scale. As well as the 35 bags donated to it, she added they donated five cases of Enfamil baby formula, four cases of diapers and 30 new bottles.

The remaining 25 bags were sent to Union Gospel Mission, along with two cases of dog treats and about $215 in cash.

To further support the mission's work or to learn more about its programming, visit http://www.ugm.org. For additional information about Seattle's homeless situation, check out the Coalition's website at http://www.homelessinfo.org.

Homelessness is a problem closer to home as well, with people affected or at risk of being so in Anchorage and Juneau. The Glory Hole is an emergency shelter and soup kitchen serving Juneau. Information about helping in Juneau can be found at http://www.feedjuneau.org.