February 23, 2026
The week went very well. The number of guests ranged from 28 to 34 each night. Several new guests came as other guests left so overall, served around 40 different people. The diversity of this group is great – those that lost jobs to care for loved ones, those that had experienced loss of home due to fire, to those that struggle with addiction and mental health and more. Some grouped together and talked throughout the evening; others were solitary and would stay in the area of their sleeping mat. Use of personal phones is a regular thing and having multiple plugs and plug strips to power up was essential. So many volunteers made this mission possible starting with those that drove (5 different men drove both the church bus and the SHALOM van morning and night, many nights needing one of the vehicles to make 2 runs). 20 different people chaperoned during the evening and overnight (many doing multiple shifts). We can’t thank enough the 3 people that cleaned every day (Cheryl, Larry, and Dan Shoemaker) and provided a clean and sanitary environment. Countless people provided wonderful breakfasts, dinners and snacks, fruit, coffee, sugar, juice, milk, etc. and the guests thanked us every meal for that. Three of the meals were provided by groups outside the FBC congregation – the community is chipping in! The boy scout troop helped set up the tables, chairs, dividers and place signage on the Saturday before start date – very helpful. Money donations from individuals and the Mary Martha class were used for resupplying a few things and for the large amount of laundry that exists when guests trade in used sheets, towels and washcloths and receive clean sets for the next week. Any remaining donation money will be added to the SHALOM quarterly donation FBC makes. Laundry was also done for guests throughout the week as possible – a total of 25 loads was completed for them and as it was being done, grateful thoughts for being able to wash cloths regularly went through my head. The coordinators from “downtown” came every evening to give updated information on guests and bring additional mats and linen as needed. They were also available at any hour should an emergency occur.
