Hello everyone! Alot of developments over the past two weeks!
First, big thanks to Steve Fox@neighborsinneed in Mt Vernon. He set me up with 32# of beef! As well as 50# of potatoes and pasta! Much appreciated!
Second, thanks to the Friendship House in Mt Vernon (Jerry, Tom & Tina) for the kudos and for the sausage!! Greatly needed and appreciated!
With that said…. On Monday this week I reached out to the property Manger of the parking lot which I use to serve lunches 2x a week. Weve been there over 3 months now without incidence & with no questions from anyone representing any of the stores located around the lot.
So trying to do the right thing, I reach out to Petco. They say I need “permission from property manager to be serving food in parking lot. So, silly me, I contact that person and am told,” While I commend your efforts, I will not give permission for it to continue “.
With a sullen and defeated heart, I text my husband. He urges me to “make some noise,get your voice heard!” So that’s what I did. I emailed local news and sure enough on Tuesday during lunch, a reporter and camera guy came and will be writing a story in the Skagit Herald (much thanks to #BrandonStone for coming out to hang with Strength In Numbers & the individuals we serve to).
In light of all the recent happenings & situations which are meant to be a deterrent….. WE WILL NOT BE DETERRED. IF #SKAGIT COUNTY or #CITYOFMTVERNON does not like what we’re doing to help? TOO BAD! We’re not going to be bullied. We’re not going to allow roadblocks to be placed in our way. IT SHOULD NEVER BE DIFFICULT TO TRY AND OFFER ASSISTANCE TO YOUR FELLOW COMMUNITY RESIDENT’S.
On April 01, 2019, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that it was “unconstitutional” to criminalize individuals for being homeless or sleeping in public. They deemed sleep as being a fundamental necessity for survival. This ruling applies to Washington, Oregon and California.
My hope for this media attention? Simple.
“IF THE COMMUNITY DOESN’T WANT TO HELP, DOESN’T WANT TO HAVE TO “SEE” THE PROBLEMS, DOESN’T WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT EXISTS, AND DOESN’T WANT TO WORK TOGETHER TO HELP SOLVE THE ISSUES- THEN DESIGNATE A LOCATION FOR US TO FEED THOSE IN NEED WITHOUT THE FEAR OF BEING CRIMINALIZED OR BULLIED BY LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT”.
Simply put- allow people trying to offer help to those in need the ability to do so.