Editor,

National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is Nov. 15-23. It will be recognized across America as communities everywhere work to address the crisis in their towns.

Our neighbors here on South Whidbey are suffering too — the South End is particularly plagued with a lack of jobs, low wages and absence of affordable housing. The community has, however, been active in working to diminish hunger. Three organizations that are noteworthy in that effort are: Good Cheer, which provides food to more than 900 families per month; Whidbey Island Nourishes, sending youths home with more than 2,000 meals a month; and Island Church, serving soup lunch to many each week.

Homelessness is still an issue that has yet to be addressed on the South End. Helping Hand and Opportunity Council, churches and social services all have valiantly attempted to place people who are homeless. But, with no shelter on the South End, the North End’s limited resources usually full and so few low-income rentals, people have either had to leave the area or, more often, camp out night-by-night in the woods, the back of their cars, someone’s couch or even in dumpsters. The majority of these folks are people who have lived here for years and call South Whidbey home. These are our neighbors.

The South Whidbey Homeless Coalition, made up of persons in our community who both serve the poor and those who want to see homelessness here a thing of the past, have been working hard for nine months to address this important issue. In 2013, over 300 adults and 80 children in the South Whidbey School district were counted among the homeless. The coalition is actively working to open a House of Hospitality here on the South End where families with children and vulnerable adults may find a time of rest and healing, as well as the support services necessary to move on into independent housing. We also are working with a local church to open a cold weather shelter this winter.

We welcome the community here on South Whidbey to be a part of our work. Coalition meetings are at 12:30 p.m. the first Monday of each month at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland. We also host dinners each month from 3-6 p.m. on the third Wednesday, also at Trinity. Join us as we work to make South Whidbey a community of folks where others will say, “Look how they love one another.”

Blessings,

JUDY THORSLUND

South Whidbey Homeless Coalition

chairwoman