It started with 10 sandwiches on a Christmas Eve.
Tailgate Ministries and the Salvation Army reached a milestone Dec. 13 when the organizations served their 25,000th meal since joining forces last year to provide supper for homeless and low-income residents of Snohomish County.
More than a dozen churches also participate in the meal ministry, which feeds about 100 people three nights a week at the Salvation Army in downtown Everett.
The meal had its beginnings on Christmas Eve four years ago when Clark Beaver acted on a dream and gave 10 ham sandwiches to homeless people sleeping under freeway bridges in Everett.
Beaver and some friends then served food from the tailgate of his pickup until the fall of 2006, when Salvation Army offered the use of its kitchen and dining room.
“The effort has grown so much and the response from the churches is so amazing,” Beaver said. “The fact that we served our 25,000th meal recently is a great way to start the fifth year of our ministry.”
Jerry Gadek, deputy director of the Salvation Army of Everett and Snohomish County, agreed.
Since the first meal at Salvation Army, many of those served also have received help finding jobs, entered drug or alcohol rehabilitation, and received medical referrals, Gadek said.
“Some people will say (the meal) is simply a feed,” Gadek said. “We know it to be an opportunity to help those who want to help themselves, and to restore what (the word) community is all about.”
Snohomish County area churches involved in serving or donating food to the Tailgate meal include Word of Truth, Westminster Presbyterian, Immanuel Lutheran, Holy Cross Lutheran, Lakeside Community, New Life Family, Forest Glade Community, Mukilteo Presbyterian, Alderwood Community, Mercy Seat Ministries, Apostolic Lutheran, Westgate Chapel and Warm Beach Christian Camp. Also helping regularly are several restaurants, stores, banks, bakeries and soda pop distributors, Beaver said.
Tailgate Ministry meals are served at 5:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at Salvation Army, 2525 Rucker Ave.
Those who need a meal on other days during the week in Everett can visit First Presbyterian Church at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays at 2936 Rockefeller Ave., and First Baptist Church at 5:15 p.m. Fridays at 1616 Pacific Ave. Both churches have been involved in serving meals for many years.
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