Seattle Union Gospel Mission

We are extremely excited to be heading to Seattle this week not only to be a part of another great Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon presented by Competitor Group but to also work with the Seattle Union Gospel Mission as the recipient of all the shoes we collect over three days of being in town.  The Mission is the only shelter in King County that offers 3 meals a day, 7 days a week and averages 1200 meals a day.  The statistics for King County are alarming:

Homelessness in King County…

• Over 8,961 people are homeless on any given night in King County
• Children under the age of 18 make up 33 percent of the shelter and transitional housing population
• Over 21 percent of the homeless population have experienced domestic violence
• 18 percent of people living in shelters and transitional programs in King County are employed
• 48 percent of the shelter population has been homeless one year or longer
• 30 percent of homeless people sleeping outside spend the night in their cars.
• In Seattle, the cost of supportive housing was estimated at $26 per person per day, in contrast with $87.67 for a day in jail, $555 for mental hospitals and $2,184 for hospitals

It is obvious there is a need for helping those on the streets of Seattle and the surrounding areas.  We know from talking with our contacts at the shelter that shoes will get used. Everyone knows that Seattle is damp and wet place to live; let alone having to do it on the streets…bare foot.  Spring rain brings beautiful flowers but for those living on the street it means wet, sore and badly blistered feet.  Brian, one of the men who frequents the shelter for meals, was heard saying, “Our feet get really chewed up”.

Man on streets of Seattle without shoes

We have an incredible opportunity this week to really make a difference and work to provide 8900 people on the streets with moderately worn shoes. We will be collecting shoes at the Health and Fitness Expo taking place at Qwest Event Center Thursday June 24th 11am-7pm and Friday 25th 10am-7pm.  We ask that you wash your shoes prior to donating them if possible, but not required.  We will accept all moderately worn men, women and children’s shoes.

Join us in making sure that every person in our country has a pair of shoes.  While housing continues to be the main issue when it comes to homelessness, so is helping people get back on their feet.  In order to do so, we must work together to give them something to stand in.