By Patty Price
At this time, Tent City is being hosted by Calvin Presbyterian Church at 185th and 3rd NW on the hill to the south of the church, their second visit after coming from their second stay at Prince of Peace Lutheran.
An elder of the church said “our hosting these people has been a real blessing to our church”.
Living in camping tents, with wood pallets as flooring and tarps covering anything needing cover, they have a very secure situation with two gate keepers everyday for 24 hours a day…..firm rules and meetings of the group every week to discuss any and all situations. This report is on the value of this idea to help you support their temporary “lifestyle”.
Tent City residents don’t pay anything but sometimes they pool their money to buy something to share with others. They don’t have to….they feel they are part of this community – and help each other and always watch each others backs. Share/Wheel oversees the 14 shelters in the Seattle area, providing them with money for the Honey Buckets and also city bus tickets.
So far they have not had to disband for lack of a site…but it can happen if they don’t have a place lined up for the following months. The City of Seattle and Shoreline can only offer 90 day permits which is really a shame….6 months would be better. It takes them a month to get everything set up and running smoothly in each location. Their next move will be Sept 25, returning to St. Marks Cathedral on Capital Hill where they have been every year for 10 years.
It is their second time here at Calvin Presbyterian Church and Barb Farden my church source said, “Well, if up to me, we would have them again of course….this is part of our community ministry.”
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