Mike Crow, 27, lowered his head in prayer over a Subway sandwich. The roast beef might have been just a quick lunch or dinner option for folks on the go, but for a homeless man, the meal was a blessing, he said.
A special luncheon was served Friday at the Everett Gospel Mission Men’s Shelter in Everett. Thanks to Michael Merrifield, those who couldn’t afford a store-bought meal knew someone cared enough to make their day with a savory donation.
Merrifield, who works for the Boeing Co., recently lost 35 pounds eating Subway chicken bacon wraps on a low-carbohydrate diet.
“Along with the food at Subway came ‘points,’ one point per dollar spent, redeemable for more food,” Merrifield said. “For some reason I decided not to trade in my points for food and just saved them up.”
After he accumulated more than 1,000 points, folks at Subway wondered if was going to use them to open a franchise. Actually, Merrifield decided to feed the hungry with his stash.
To make a long story short, he dropped by the mission to ask if he could bring the treats, got Subway in Granite Falls to add chips and cookies for 40 sandwiches, and his friend, Bill Bishop from Snohomish, donated 60 pairs of warm gloves.
Mission director, the Rev. Phil Wineinger, 57, said it would be a real treat for folks to have a Subway lunch. The mission serves three meals a day.
“We feed the community as well,” Wineinger said. “Anyone who comes in from the community is welcome to eat. There are people who are low income, people who live blocks from here, who come eat with us.”
He said some people might think little things aren’t significant, but the Subway luncheon was huge, he said.
I was amazed that the mission didn’t want a small charge for each meal, and there was no tip jar. That is why the mission has to count on donations from individuals, Scout troops and corporate sponsors to operate.
They often fill more than 100 hungry bellies at each sitting.
Breakfast might be oatmeal or pancakes, lunch could be a grilled ham and cheese sandwich, and dinner might be tacos or spaghetti. Chef Jim Giese, 54, who had a culinary arts degree, knew how to stretch hamburger, from sloppy Joes to burritos, he said.
Friday there was lime Jello that had been donated by the Monroe School District. Feel free to drop off leftovers from a wedding reception or corporate luncheon. The spotless kitchen can do wonders with whatever is at hand. Someone left a bag of apples and it will be used.
Giese takes pride in preparing nutritious meals.
“We care what we serve,” Giese said. “We try to do full course meals with salads, vegetables, soups and dessert.”
The chef was tickled about serving Subway sandwiches.
“I know they will really enjoy that,” he said. “It makes them feel special.”
Donor Merrifield, 49, who lives in Granite Falls, put on a hair net and helped serve the meal. He couldn’t say enough about his good impressions of the mission operation.
In the lunchroom, Eric Russell, 34, had a Subway roast beef sandwich on his tray. He was told they would be blessed with Subway that day.
Russell from Arlington and Mike Crow from Everett, who were in a discipleship program, said they were at the mission to pull their lives back together. In 10 years, Russell said he hoped to be parenting his cherished daughter, now 3. Crow said he hoped to be a family man with a job in the church.
“I can’t afford Subway,” Russell said. “Tell the guy he warmed a lot of hearts today. Little things mean so much.”
Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
