On Tuesday, January 21st, our 1st-5th graders had a chance to meet Karina O'Malley. She came to talk to the students about the challenges homeless people face, and how they can help. She represents The Sophia Way, an organization she helped to create 11 years ago. It is the only women's shelter on the Eastside of Seattle.
The Sophia Way operates several shelters within a few miles of school. They rely on support from a variety of sources including government, foundations, and individual donors from the community to survive. In fact, Karina shared that their kitchens are not sufficient to prepare meals, so they have relied on community members to supply 3 meals a day for the women they support!
If you would like to help The Sophia Way, here are 3 ways you can contribute:
1. Bring an item for our "apartment in a box" to school the week of Feb 24th. We have made a list of items someone might need when they are moving out of homelessness into a new home. There are big ticket items in here, like a new vacuum, and lots of smaller ticket items like paper towels. Find the signup here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040C4FA4AB28A57-helping
2. Cook something for a meal and bring it to the school on Friday morning, Feb 28th between 8:15-9am. Susanne will stand outside during morning drop-off to collect your contribution.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040C4FA4AB28A57-meal
***NEW as of Feb 23rd****Volunteer to collect donations at the turnaround on the morning of Friday, Feb 28th:
http://ccabellewoodpa.ourschoolpages.com/Packet/The Sophia Way Donation
3. Donate to The Sophia Way directly https://sophiaway.org/donate/
If there are any questions, please contact me. Thank you!
Susanne Guthrie
Philanthropy Chair, CCA Bellewood Parent Association
206-399-8558
