Meeting People Where They Are: Outreach in Ballard

Meeting people where they are is at the heart of what we do.

Last week, our team partnered with the Ballard Community Task Force for an outreach event serving neighbors experiencing homelessness in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood. Together, we distributed 105 street kits and 86 emergency meal packs while connecting with community members and listening to the stories they shared.

On one of the hottest days of the summer, we also purchased extra water to help ensure both people and their pets stayed hydrated throughout the outreach.

One message came through clearly in the conversations we had that day: access to hygiene supplies remains one of the community's greatest needs. While emergency food is always appreciated, many neighbors shared that hygiene items are often even harder to find, highlighting the ongoing need for accessible hygiene resources.

This outreach also marked the final service project of our school-year Hygiene Champions program. Our student leaders worked alongside staff and community partners, putting compassion into action while gaining firsthand experience serving their community and advancing hygiene equity.

We are grateful to the Ballard Community Task Force for their partnership and to everyone who helped make this outreach possible. Together, we're helping empower dignity—one connection at a time.