Where We Are...
Christmas Letter from Tim Swartout, Director
Christmas Letter from Tim Swartout, Director
Lower Level
New Community Church
518 W Third Ave
Spokane, WA 99201
Downtown Spokane
at 3rd Ave & Howard St
Access by the
Howard Street door.
Christmas Letter from Tim Swartout, Director
Christmas Letter from Tim Swartout, Director
Christmas Letter from Tim Swartout, Director
As we (I) look forward to the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, I also feel the importance to reflect on the blessings Shalom Ministries has experienced from the efforts of our Core Team and volunteers over the past several months.
Each member of our team has met the challenges of producing and delivering nutritious meals
As we (I) look forward to the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, I also feel the importance to reflect on the blessings Shalom Ministries has experienced from the efforts of our Core Team and volunteers over the past several months.
Each member of our team has met the challenges of producing and delivering nutritious meals during the uncertainties caused by the coronavirus, the weather and the changing demands for food, not to mention the challenges caused by a fire and major damage to the church building.
I also cannot forget the positive impact our board of directors have played in the success of our Dining with Dignity program by providing the operational functions and leadership needed to sustain the needs of those who suffer food insecurity in our community.
I look forward to a promising future and wish each and all a Christmas filled with happiness and many blessings as we move forward into another year.
Most Sincerely Yours, Tim
What We Do...
What We Do...
What We Do...
Dining with Dignity
Breakfast: Monday through Thursday, 7:30-8:15am
Dinner: Monday and Tuesday, 4:30-5:15pm
Serving over 50,000 meals annually.
Pathways
Community Volunteers who accept admission to the program become core team members and receive benefits of job and life skill training, case management, mentoring, housing assistance, and a monthly stipend.
Who We Are...
What We Do...
What We Do...
In the 1970s and 1980's, Central United Methodist Church in downtown Spokane reached out to its homeless and hungry neighbors with a meal ministry. A nationwide effort, called Shalom, within the United Methodist Church, to create effective ministries in urban settings, inspired the church in 1994 to create a separate 501(c)3 in Spokane th
In the 1970s and 1980's, Central United Methodist Church in downtown Spokane reached out to its homeless and hungry neighbors with a meal ministry. A nationwide effort, called Shalom, within the United Methodist Church, to create effective ministries in urban settings, inspired the church in 1994 to create a separate 501(c)3 in Spokane that brought together religious, business, political, and social service communities to find solutions to poverty and homelessness. While Central UMC itself has now closed, Shalom Ministries remains hosted in its old building by New Communities Church and retains a strong connection with other United Methodist Churches in the area, as well as with other churches from many traditions. Shalom seeks to build relationships and community amongst people who are disenfranchised. By providing a safe, loving, and accepting environment the door can be opened for healing and renewal, creating a sense of belonging to something greater than one’s self.
Can you volunteer?
Who Are Our Guests?
Who Are Our Guests?
YES, when we receive the green flag to safely move forward to serve our diners inside. The Pandemic is currently prevented us from accepting volunteers. We so appreciate the many ways in which you are reaching out to our diners in the meantime, by donations of supplies, warm clothing, and financial gifts!
CALL 509-455-9019
Who Are Our Guests?
Who Are Our Guests?
Who Are Our Guests?
“In most cases, to be homeless in America is not a sign of laziness or incapacity, but an indicator of people who struggle immensely, both physically and emotionally, to survive against the odds.”
We serve all who come to us seeking to be fed: young and old, men and women of any race or creed. Most are homeless or
“In most cases, to be homeless in America is not a sign of laziness or incapacity, but an indicator of people who struggle immensely, both physically and emotionally, to survive against the odds.”
We serve all who come to us seeking to be fed: young and old, men and women of any race or creed. Most are homeless or underemployed; some are fighting addiction or illnesses, and all struggle immensely to survive against the odds.
Meet "Can Man"
Who Are Our Guests?
Meet "Can Man"
He never misses a meal at Shalom, a disheveled gentleman with a thick gray beard and sharp eyes beneath bushy brows. He shuffles across the street to wait for his “Grab and Go” box. He is always polite and insists on waiting in line, though volunteers offer to fetch food for him. Street people call him “Can Man.”
At a table set up for stud
He never misses a meal at Shalom, a disheveled gentleman with a thick gray beard and sharp eyes beneath bushy brows. He shuffles across the street to wait for his “Grab and Go” box. He is always polite and insists on waiting in line, though volunteers offer to fetch food for him. Street people call him “Can Man.”
At a table set up for student nurses on a cold morning, he sits for a minute after eating and tells a young nurse he might have frostbite. She gently peels off his glove to expose deep frostbite to his index finger along with second degree frostbite to several others. He removes the other glove. The student nurses cleanse and wrap the damaged fingers.
Their supervisor provides an experienced voice. “If you don’t want to lose your fingers, you’ll need to have that treated. Can I look at your feet?”
Volunteers help him inside and the nurses remove his shoes and socks to expose frostbitten toes. A tub of warm water is provided, and they gently clean and dry his feet; treat and wrap the toes. Clean socks are found, and his shoes put back on.
“This isn’t enough to save your finger and toes, you know,” the supervising nurse tells Can Man. “I don’t want to lose any of my fingers or toes,” he replies softly. “You’ll need to go to the emergency department for further treatment, or that is going to happen,” she warns.
“All right. I’ll have them looked at. I don’t want to lose my toes,” Can Man mumbles unhappily. CHAS volunteers arrange an Uber to take him to Sacred Heart. He hasn’t yet returned to Shalom. We hope to see him again, toes and fingers whole.