Outreach

Good Samaritan's Outreach Program encourages, challenges, and coordinates parish involvement in various ways that feed the hungry, house the homeless, and clothe the naked in our community, around our Diocese, and throughout the world. Anyone wishing more information about the committee's programs and activities should contact one of the committee members for further information. Committee members include Suzi Robertson, Fred Jessett, Joe O'Neil, Steve Angelo, Megan Anderson, Jeannie Jackson, Nolan Holcomb, Julie Stratton, and Julie Elder. The two co-chairs are Steve Angelo and Julie Stratton.

Episcopal Relief and Development:  Working in partnership with the worldwide Church, ecumenical agencies and local organizations, Episcopal Relief and Development saves lives and strengthens communities around the world.  Our programs work toward achieving the National Church’s Millennium Development Goals, which aim to cut extreme poverty in half by 2015.

Adopt a Road:  Twice a year we roll up our sleeves and clean up our road – 244th Ave NE.  Not only is this a wonderful opportunity to clean up Good Sam’s immediate environment, it is an excellent time to spend quality time with other Good Samaritans.  This ministry is coordinated by Kris Jessett.  jessett@earthlink.net

Eastside Baby Corner:  is a non-profit organization in Issaquah that collects items used by children from birth to age twelve and distributes them to service providers who work with families in need.  They act as a distributor, supplying basic items to over 160 shelters, food banks, public health nurses, social workers, and others.  Good Samaritan has a long history of supporting the Eastside Baby Corner in a variety of ways, even serving as a drop-off point for donations.  Items can always be left in the baskets at the Narthex doors, and they will be properly distributed.

Feeding the Hungry:  Together with our preschool parents, we collect food items on an ongoing basis to donate to Hopelink, (the Redmond Food Bank) and the Issaquah Food Bank.  We have also volunteered at soup kitchens.  The baskets at the entrance to the nave are always calling for non-perishable food items, and you may drop them off at any time, as part of your offering to God.

Gifts of Warmth:  Blankets collected and donated to Sharehouse to support local area homeless and needy.  The Sharehouse is a program of the Church Council of Greater Seattle.

Hopelink:  Since 1971, Hopelink has served homeless and low income families, children, seniors and people with disabilities.  Hopelink’s mission is to promote self-sufficiency for all members of our community; we help people make everlasting change.  Good Samaritan is proud to be involved with this ministry which reaches the cities of Bellevue, Kirkland, Northshore, Redmond, Shoreline and Sno-Valley.

Palm Sunday Socks:  Good Samaritan has been gathering socks on Palm Sunday since 1994 when we became aware through our then Deacon, Mary Gould, that there was a need for socks for “street kids” in Seattle.  These young people suffer many serious foot problems because of not having clean, dry socks. 

Outreach Sunday:  The first Sunday of each month, the open plate offering goes to one of our outreach projects.

Vicar's Discretionary Fund: Each 5th Sunday, the loose plate offering goes to the Vicar's Discretionary Fund.  Our Vicar confidentially helps those in need, whether they are members of our own congregation, a stranger who knocks on our doors, or beyond the church in the larger world.