Willows Place | Helping Kent’s homeless during the winter | Lori Nevin

We know they’re out there, people without a place to call home. These are people without enough socks and sweaters. These are people without gloves, hats and coats. These people are here in Kent. For the second winter season, Willows Place is helping keep them fed and warm. However, Willows Place lost one of the significant contributors Marcus Elmore, just before Christmas. Elmore, a long-time resident in the Mill Creek neighborhood in Kent, died after a short illness with liver cancer. So now more than ever, Willows Place has immediate needs to fill.

During Elmore’s illness in September a rummage sale was held. In October the Knitorious Kent Knitters crafted and donated 63 hats, scarves and gloves. In December, in partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Kent and The Golden Steer, a luncheon was held to help and support needy families by gathering donations of sleeping bags, hats, jackets, gloves and $1,209 was raised. Sadly, during this time the Outreach’s Washington non-profit corporation status expired.

Willows Place was the primary recipient of Elmore’s bounty. Every Thursday night, Kent businesses, service and civic organizations, and individuals put a meal together often including what Elmore showed up with. New Beginnings Church is the host for a respite to those in need. A warm meal and warm companionship is all that’s on the agenda. Director, Sally Goodgion, a local business woman, never wonders how it will happen, because with Elmore and the others that contribute, it just does. On any Thursday night, whether there are 60 or 120 people that show up, there is always “just enough.”

Now, Elmore’s passing leaves a huge gap between what Willows Place needs and what Willows Place has. Day after day, week after week, Elmore found himself in the right place at the right time. Those right places and times filled his hands and his arms and his truck. He received cases of soda, crates of lettuce, boxes of frozen fish, loaves of bread, cases. He drove thousands of miles to pick up someone else’s extras. Whatever was put in front of him, he received gratefully. And then Elmore turned around and gave it all to others right here in Kent.

Elmore, a Kent resident, was always at Willows Place on Thursday night. He not only supplied food, but he supplied a strong feeling of security, a warm hug, a listening ear, words of support, a connection to a resource or help, or a day labor job, and his huge heart. Elmore was an addict out on the streets who credited God for the turn-around he made. When he turned around, he saw life was not about him. It was about giving help to others the way he was helped. Elmore founded Messiahs Hands and Feed Outreach, which he described as social, educational, and spiritual training of adults and children in a religious safe environment for the development of all mankind.

Now a new year begins, winter has set in, and there are still families and individuals that need hope and help. Now Elmore’s father sits in serving coffee and a good word. Some individuals humbly make requests. A size 10 pair of work boots, a pair of coveralls, a child size sleeping bag and pillow, blankets, and perhaps a toy to occupy a small child. In addition, regular expenses average around $500.00 monthly. Operational expenses include insurance, use of the building, and what it takes to feed about three hundred men, women, youth, and children.

Anyone can stop by any Thursday night and join the meal. You can donate packages of disposable supplies and high need items including napkins, cups, plates, bowls, and utensils to feed three hundred each month. Cleaning supplies needed include wiping cloths, dish soap, bleach, multi-purpose cleaners, towels, and scouring pads. Serving products including foil, saran wrap, bags, single use food service gloves, and serving utensils. Necessities to have on hand include coffee, hot chocolate, hot cider, salad dressings, and sodas.

Help take the place of Elmore, and help those that continue the effort to give what they can to others. On any Thursday night, bring your new packaged products and gently used donations for Willows Place, to New Beginnings Church, 214 Washington Avenue North, Kent, at 6 p.m. On any occasion make your donation payable to Willows Place and take it to Home Street Bank, 505 West Harrison Street, Downtown Kent, or send mail to Willows Place, 1140 Seattle St., Kent, WA 98030. If you want to be of service, then you can help still. Just spread the word to others and request donations in packaged goods, non-perishable foods, and gently used winter clothing.

About Willows Place:

Back in 2008, Brian Raines, of Raines Recycling had been giving out pizzas behind his Kent warehouse. Each Thursday night, people that were hanging out in the alley with no place to go got something to eat from Raines. This community of homeless and hungry grew as word spread. The community of Raines’ friends and family who showed up to help grew as well.

Sally Goodgin, of Catalyst Travel, Kiwanis Club of Kent, and now Raines’ mother-in-law, was one of the helpers. All this activity got her connected with Richard LeMeiux author of Breakfast at Sally’s, the story of his journey from “having it all” to being homeless and back. This led to Goodgin and Raines unofficially launching Willows Place (Willow is the name of LeMeiux’s dog).

Since its informal beginnings, in the fall of 2010 Willows Place has found partners to help move indoors, then find a more permanent location, and serve up to 120 individuals on any given Thursday night. The Board of Willows Place has been instrumental in engaging with local Kent restaurants, businesses, and religious, civic and service organizations. Participants in Willows Place set up and clean up, cook, serve, and distribute donations each week.

Participants include the AAA Pest Control, Albertson Law Group Mark D. Albertson Esq., Catalyst Travel, Chapter 8 LLC (formerly Urbia Fresh Café), Christian Science Church & Reading Room, Down Home Catering, Golden Steer Steak & Rib House, Herban Feast Catering, Kiwanis Club of Kent, Kiwanis Key Club, Maggie’s on Meeker, Messiah’s Hands and Feet Outreach, New Beginnings Church, Project (U)th, Raines Recycling, and many more volunteers and donors. Willows Place maintains an Executive Board which includes local Kent individuals Sally Goodgin, Director, Sue Froyd, Vice Chair, Lois Deusen, Treasurer, and Eli Palko, Secretary. Mr. Albertson submitted official application for and is awaiting 501(c)(3) non-profit status.