New Bethlehem Project donates $125,000 to keep Eastside emergency shelter open

June 20, 2017 1:30 am
The New Bethlehem Project also operates the New Bethlehem Day Center in Kirkland. CATHERINE KRUMMEY / Kirkland Reporter
The New Bethlehem Project also operates the New Bethlehem Day Center in Kirkland. CATHERINE KRUMMEY / Kirkland Reporter

The New Bethlehem Project and St. John’s Episcopal Church in Kirkland have teamed to step up support for families experiencing homelessness on the Eastside.

The New Bethlehem Project is donating $125,000 to extend the operation of the Eastside Overnight Emergency Shelter for Families from May 15 to Oct. 15 for the first time.

St. John’s Episcopal Church is hosting the emergency family shelter from June 1 to Sept. 30. The shelter can accommodate up to 50 overnight guests. Hours of operation are 8:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily. St. John’s Episcopal is located at 105 State St. S. in Kirkland.

“St. John’s is grateful for the opportunity to serve in this special way,” the Rev. Canon Lance Ousley said in a release. “Our community is excited to reach out to those experiencing homelessness, and offer them a safe place to stay and sleep at night.”

In the past, the shelter only has operated from Oct. 15 to May 15, leaving families no emergency place to stay overnight on the Eastside for the other five months. For the last few years, the shelter has been at Redmond United Methodist from October through December, St. Peter’s United Methodist from January through April and Overlake Park Presbyterian for April and May.

Organizers are now asking community members to help by providing meals to shelter guests.

“We urge local faith communities, community organizations, restaurants, and concerned citizens to volunteer to donate meals for families staying at the Eastside Overnight Emergency Shelter for Families,” said Fr. Kurt Nagel of the New Bethlehem Project and pastor of Holy Family Parish in Kirkland.

For more information or to sign up to donate meals at the overnight shelter, visit nbpshelter.org or send an email to volunteer@nbpshelter.org. Donation and volunteer opportunities are also available.

The New Bethlehem Project also operates the New Bethlehem Day Center at Salt House church, 11920 N.E. 80th St. in Kirkland, from 2-8 p.m. Sundays through Fridays. The same contact information can be used to sign up to donate meals at the day center.

This is taken from a New Bethlehem Project news release.