Mukilteo church’s Black Friday focus: The homeless

MUKILTEO — While many people will spend the day after Thanksgiving hunting for bargains and feasting on leftover turkey, Pointe of Grace Lutheran church will focus on raising awareness of homelessness.

People plan to gather at the church on so-called Black Friday to talk about homelessness in Snohomish County. They will spend the night on church grounds, sleeping in cars and tents.

“It’s kind of to counterbalance that emphasis on consumerism, exposing the reality that there are so many people without the basic necessities of life,” said the Rev. Eileen Hanson, a pastor at Pointe of Grace and Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood.

The two congregations are part of the same church.

The church feeds more than 100 people each week through its Neighbors in Need program and provides tutoring for children who have fallen through the cracks.

Trinity Lutheran also operates the Cold Weather Emergency Shelter in Lynnwood. Last year, the shelter offered 500 beds. Everyone who sought shelter there was from south Snohomish County, Hanson said.

The shelter is one in a network of organizations throughout the county offering refuge from the cold.

This will be the second Compassion in the Cold event at Pointe of Grace. About 35 people came last year to learn respect for people who have what it takes to spend a cold night without a home. A discussion with Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine will kick off the evening. Participants are invited to stay a few hours or the whole night.

Donations of canned food and other necessities will be accepted for the shelter.

Many people think there is no homelessness in Mukilteo, a mostly affluent waterfront community of about 20,000. Truth is, some people here are sleeping in their cars.

“There’s such an effort to present well in the community,” Hanson said. “It’s just more invisible.”

Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452, kyefimova@heraldnet.com

How to get involved

Compassion in the Cold starts at 8 p.m. Nov. 25 at Pointe of Grace, 5425 Harbour Pointe Blvd., Mukilteo. The public is invited to an open discussion with Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine. After the discussion, participants will spend the night in their cars and in tents. Coffee and a light breakfast will be served from 6 to 7:30 a.m. the next morning. Donations also will be accepted for the Emergency Cold Weather Shelter. Needed items include warm socks, toiletries, packets of hot cocoa, cider or coffee, creamy peanut butter, cans of tuna, sturdy paper plates and 8-ounce cups for hot drinks.

Anyone interested in participating should contact Kelsey Plummer at 425-263-8730 or kelsey@trinitylutheranchurch.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mukilteo in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
On second go, Mukilteo City Council votes against sales tax hike

A veto from Mayor Joe Marine forced the council to bring the potential 0.1% sales tax increase back for another vote Monday.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Two visitors comb the beach at Kayak Point Regional County Park on Friday, June 14, 2024, in Tulalip, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Nate Nehring and WSU Beach Watchers to host beach cleanup at Kayak Point

Children and families are especially encouraged to attend the event at Kayak Point Regional County Park.

One person dead in single-vehicle fatal crash near Stanwood

A 33-year-old male was found dead at the scene Monday evening with his vehicle partially wrapped around a tree.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish Regional firefighters respond to nearly 90 calls on the Fourth

While crews stayed busy on Independence Day, it was far more peaceful than other years.

Vehicles travel along Mukilteo Speedway on Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mukilteo approves 84-acre annexation east of Speedway

The annexation of unincorporated land is expected to bring new revenue to the city as it faces budget challenges.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.