Willows Place has been around the city of Kent. It’s been outdoors, indoors at local restaurants and at a church in the community.
Now you’ll find Willows Place at New Beginnings Church, 214 Washington Ave. N. Willows Place is not really a place, but a Thursday night meal, fellowship and a few hours of safe shelter.
Six months ago the Kent Reporter ran a story and people in Kent became aware of Willows Place. A lot has happened since then, but a lot has stayed the same.
There are still anywhere from 60 to 90 people that come to Willows Place on a given Thursday night.
Numbers rise at the end of the month however; up to 120 people are sometimes served. There are more young adults now, but still many veterans and even families with very small children come in for a helping hand.
Willows Place has accomplished some significant things. The director, Sally Goodgion, recently participated in the South King County forum on homelessness in January and April. Willows Place, now with a permanent location at New Beginnings Church, can store and give out food and clothing along with the weekly meal.
With donated equipment and services, there is a working kitchen. Recently, Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke accepted the invitation to attend the May Willows Place meal helping ensure awareness of the plight of our homeless and hungry in Kent, the sixth largest city in Washington state.
In the works is getting the non-profit 501(c)3 status and the funds to submit the paperwork, and regular donations of money, food and useful items. It takes about $500 each month to keep the weekly meal and Willows Place afloat. Insurance, payment for the building and about 300 plates, napkins, plastic utensils, cups, bowls and other serving items need to be paid for each month.
Several local restaurants, businesses and organizations are participating in cooking, serving, setup and clean up each month including the Kent Kiwanis, Kiwanis Key Club, Project (U)th, Messiah’s Hands and Feet Outreach, Golden Steer, Down Home Catering, Urbia Fresh Café, Maggie’s on Meeker, AAA Pest Control, Catalyst Travel, Mark D. Albertson, Esq., Senior Counsel, Albertson Law Group, P.S.and Christian Science Church & Reading Room. Many more volunteers have come forward with donations, services, and help.
But there are still needs unmet and month to month Willows Place is out there asking for help. Advocacy for the homelessness has a means to an end. The end results have been proven. Goodgion and Willows Place Treasurer Lois Deusen talk about first hand knowledge of lives changed: Regular steady work for one; intermittent odd jobs for another; a few that are now off the streets that have shelter of a home each night.
Like the local young Kent girl who collected and then gave out toiletry kits one Thursday night, you too can help. Make your donation to Willows Place and take it to Valley Bank, 124 4th Avenue S. Kent, or send mail to Willows Place, 1140 Seattle St., Kent, WA 98030.
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