They want clothes, even if they’re worn and tossed out by others.

And they want food, even if it’s past the pull date.

In Marysville, they can get help with the latter two, but not the first.

“We need a place to camp where we’re not going to get kicked out of, like a tent city,” said Justin, 27, who has been homeless since he was a runaway at age 13.

“Police are harsh on those who don’t have a place to live. We’ve been dealt a bad hand. Surviving on our own is hard.”

Kathryn and Frank, who like Justin were eating the free Community Lunch at the Unitarian Universalist Church on 4th, agreed at tent city would be “great,” but they would be happy to have a place where they could shower and do laundry.

The couple also said they wished there was a place they could hang out during the day without the police moving them along.

“We can’t stay in one place too long,” Kathryn said, adding they can’t even camp in the woods anymore. “They make us all leave.”

They said if they had access to a safe place with a pool table and a TV there would be fewer problems with panhandling, and homeless just sitting on the sides of streets.

“People get agitated at us just because things are not right in our life, and it hurts,” Kathryn said.

Justin, Kathryn and Frank agreed that despite the problems, Marysville is a good place to be.

Justin said he has been to 22 states and Canada, and he has felt “most welcome here and in Alabama, with its southern hospitality.”

Kathryn added: “I love this place with all its resources. You won’t go hungry.”

All three explained they can get prepared meals around town at various churches and agencies every day of the week but Sunday. They can get items at the Marysville Community Food Bank, but that doesn’t always help.

“We have no where to stay and cook,” Kathryn said.

Justin said he’s always had trouble getting a job because he doesn’t have an address to put on an application. The only reliable employment he’s had is under-the-table landscape work.

Justin said he appreciates those who run the Community Lunch.

“These people here, they value everybody,” Justin said. “They treat us like people, not homeless. We’ve just had bad luck or a bad situation.”

 

 

Free meals

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1-2 p.m.: Marysville Community Lunch, Unitarian Universalist Church, 1607 4th St.

Tuesday dinner, 5 p.m.: Word of Life Church, 9028 51st Ave. N.E.

Wednesday dinner, 5:30 p.m.: Salvation Army at American Legion Hall, 2nd and Cedar.

Thursday dinner, 6 p.m.: Mountain View Assembly of God Church, 9015 N.E. 44th Drive.

Saturday dinner, 6 p.m.: Seasoned with Salt at Carabinieri Coffee Bar, 1519 3rd St.

Saturday lunch: Teriyaki Box, 1518 3rd St., first 25 people, first Saturday of month.

Free food

Monday and Friday 9-11 a.m., Tuesday 3-6 p..m.: Marysville Community Food Bank, St. Mary’s Church, 4150 88th St. N.E.

Wednesday 2-3 p.m., Thursday and Saturday 9-11:30 a.m.: Allen Creek Community Church, 7314 44th Ave. N.E.

Free clothes

Tuesday and Thursday 10:30 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m. to noon: St. Joseph’s House, 1925 4th St.

Tuesday 5 p.m.: Word of Life Church, 9028 51st Ave. N.E.

Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday by appointment only 360-658-1021: Kloz 4 Kidz Marysville United Methodist Church, 5600 64th St.