By Steve Powell
spowell@marysvilleglobe.com
Instead of giving money to panhandlers, how about really trying to help them instead?
Arlington and Marysville are asking residents and visitors to keep their wallets closed to panhandlers. Instead, a new community resource flyer provides information tips for people who want to help those in need, along with a list and map of free resources for people who need hot meals, groceries and/or clothing. Some homeless don’t want help, but are after money only. This program is for those who want help.
“When you give money to a panhandler, you can’t know how it will be spent,” Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring said today. “When you want to donate, please consider giving to a local charity instead.”
The concept is that then the charity will use that money to help those in need.
Arlington Mayor Barbara Tolbert added: “We all want to feel safe in our community. Giving to organizations, rather than to panhandlers, helps ensure that homeless residents can get the help they need.”
The handout called “This Community Cares” is available at both city halls (238 N. Olympic Ave., Arlington, and 1049 State Ave., Marysville). It’s also online at http://bit.ly/ArlMsvlCares and both city websites (www.marysvillewa.gov and www.arlingtonwa.gov) to view and print.
Some helpful places
Following are just some of what is available:
Sundays: Reset Church free meal 4-5 p.m.; laundry from 3-6 p.m. twice a month.
Mondays: Free meal 1-2 p.m. Unitarian Church. Free food Marysville Food Bank for seniors and people with disabilities, 9-11 a.m.
Tuesdays: Free breakfast 9:30-11 a.m. Salvation Army. Free meal and clothing 5 p.m. Word of Life Church. Free clothes 10 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. St. Joseph’s House. Free food Marysville Food Bank 3-6 p.m.
Wednesdays: Free meal 1-2 p.m. EUUF. Free food 1:30-2 p.m. at Allen Creek Church. Also, 2-3 p.m. for seniors and disabled. 4 p.m. free coffee, 4:30-5:30 free clothing and 5 p.m. free meal at Salvation Army.
Thursdays: Free breakfast Salvation Army 9:30-11 a.m. United Methodist Church free meal 1-2:30 p.m. once a month. Free clothes at Kloz 4 Kids. At St. Joseph’s House 10 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. free clothes.
Fridays: Free meals 1-2 p.m. EUUF. Marysville Food Bank free food 9-11 a.m.
Saturdays: Allen Creek Church free food 9-10 a.m. From 9 a.m. to noon free clothes St. Joseph’s House. Twice a month at YMCA 6:30-7:30 p.m. showers, toiletries, sack lunch.
Others: Call 360-658-1021 for free clothes at Kloz 4 Kidz, United Methodist Church. Cold Weather Shelter at Damascus Road Church 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. when temperatures are below freezing. Women at the Well Resource Center 425-760-6076. Smokey Point Behavioral Hospital 844-202-5555.
