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March 8, 2025
Dear Friend of SOS,
It ‘s hard to imagine that it’s March already and that we have survived what we hope is the last of the cold weather and rainstorms.
SOS continues to experience an increasing number of individuals who come to us for meals, services, and resources. In February we had 126 new clients.
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We are pleased to have a partnership with Keeping People Housed(KPH). So far, 78 applications have been submitted, with 38 currently being processed for verification to receive financial support through the program. Additionally, nine households have received $32,600 in rent and utility assistance. We have increased the hours that the staff can be at Unity Kitchen, since more people are seeking KPH’s services to pay for rent and utilities to keep them from becoming homeless. KPH staff person, Emiliano, comes to Unity Kitchen every Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Lots of people want to sign up for the program. If there are things he can’t do while he’s there, he gives out his phone number so that he can do a follow-up and fill out the forms needed to apply for the financial aid.
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On Wednesday the SOS staff at Unity Kitchen had the pleasure of working with volunteers from Whole Foods Market’s Community Connection. Some were highly skilled workers from Whole Foods’ deli and meat departments. Pictured with SOS Sous Chef Dawn (orange apron) are team members Ming, Jaymee, Timothy, Nicky, and Jackson. Special thanks to Matt Murray, Associate Store Team Leader, for reaching out to us to make this happen. He said, “They loved the experience.”
If your business or organization is interested in volunteering for a day and doing some team building, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Sheila Martin. |
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Sixty-three of the new individuals that we served are housed. They are members of our community, the neighbors who work in our schools, in our hospitality businesses, day laborers, and families who are struggling to make ends meet.
We need your help now, more than ever, to cover the ever-increasing costs of providing over 6,000 meals per month. With the help of volunteers, businesses, foundations, local faith-based congregations, and individual donors like you, we are trying to follow the words of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks: “Optimism is the belief that the world is changing for the better; hope is the belief that, together, we can make a better world.”
Gratefully,
Kathy King
Executive Director
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