Service & Outreach

May News & Updates

Thank you, Epiphany x 2, Aid to Ukraine: $25,000, Edible Hope’s Star Volunteer: Solé Andromeda, Open Meal Service volunteer opportunity

Thank you, Epiphany x 2

Two thank you notes from some nonprofit friends recently appeared in the Service & Outreach mailbox. We want to share them with you so that you, too, can know the deep gratitude Epiphany’s financial help inspires with every gift.

Edible Hope Kitchen is a meal ministry for the homeless operating out of Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church in Ballard. From time to time, Epiphany has funded small capital needs for their work. After their old coffee maker finally gave up its ghost, S&O allocated money earlier this year to Edible Hope for a commercial-grade coffee maker. Here is a message of thanks from Nick Gardner, Edible Hope Kitchen Manager.

“…we got the coffee maker up and running two weeks ago, and I cannot quite express the difference it has made. A reliable and quick coffee maker has eased tensions among volunteers, prevented an awful lot of headaches…AND most importantly, brought joy and warmth to our vulnerable guests. I am so thankful that I can greet guests with the dignity and welcome that a warm cup of coffee contains …” Read all of Nick’s thank you note.

Many of you know about Sound Foundations NW because so many of you volunteer at its Hope Factory building tiny homes. Barb Oliver, Sound Foundation’s Operations Manager, gratefully acknowldeged Epiphany’s recent gift of $22,500, This gift, itself providing construction materials for at least four new tiny homes, will also be used to leverage further donations in the organization’s GiveBIG fundraising efforts. Read Barb’s acknowledgement letter.

Aid to Ukraine: $25,000

A check for $25,000 will soon provide direct humanitarian and material aid to the people of Ukraine. Generous gifts to the Ukraine Relief Fund raised more than $19,000, and the Service & Outreach Group drew from Have a Heart funds to boost the gift to $25,000.

Since Russia’s unprovoked attack in 2022, Epiphany provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine through the auspices of Episcopal Relief and Development. At the recommendation of Father Andriy of Holy Trinity, our support this year is being directed to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, which is well-positioned to distribute the funds through a variety of on-the-ground Ukrainian aid organizations.

You can learn about the kinds of aid our gift will provide on their website Home | Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA.

Many in Seattle’s Ukrainian community run small businesses, from nail salons to cleaning services to skilled construction trades. Here is a list of businesses you might wish to support.

Edible Hope’s Star Volunteer: Solé Andromeda!

For April’s Volunteer of the Month, Edible Hope Kitchen selected Epiphany parishioner Solé Andromeda, citing Solé’s invaluable help cleaning the kitchen after meal services.

Sole appreciates Edible Hope, too. “Edible Hope has truly been a lighthouse for my needs; a positive environment to receive sustenance, occasional cold-weather goods, and now, for me, a steady way to give back through volunteerism for all the gracious and healthy meals I’ve received. Shout out to all the volunteers and folks who keep this valuable resource flowing!”

Open Meal Service volunteer opportunity

By Mary Weiss

OSL Serves provides no-cost, nutrient dense, and culturally relevant meals to shelters, tiny house villages, permanent supportive housing units, Open Meal Service sites, children’s programs, elder programs, asylum seeker meals, homeless veteran meals, and other organizations needing nutritional support. They currently prepare, deliver, and serve 7,000 meals each day!

Epiphany is seeking volunteers to help prep these meals at the OSL Serves on Saturday, June 21 from 9:45–12:00 pm. All ages are welcome! If you would like to know more about this organization or would like to sign up please contact Mary Weiss at marybethanyweiss@gmail.com or Amanda Eap at amanda@epiphanyseattle.org.

“There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” — Vincent Van Gogh

Things you can do soon

Every Tuesday and Wednesday: Prep and pack food bags for the YWCA Food Bank or deliver food to clients’ homes.

Thursday, May 22, 11:30 am–2:00 pm: Serve lunch at Angeline’s Day Center for Women in Belltown.

Thursday, May 29, 6:30–8:30 pm: Prepare a meal for young people on the streets at a church in the University District.

Saturday, May 31, 9:00 am–3:00 pm: Build tiny homes at Sound Foundations NW in south Seattle.

Wednesday, May 28, 12:45–4:00 pm: Prepare dinners for families with a sick child at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Contact Amanda to volunteer for any of these activities.

Volunteer Opportunities

Operation Nightwatch Community Dinner, Capitol Hill

Every Tuesday, 5:00–6:30 PM 

Help Nightwatch staff and volunteers set up, serve food, and clean up. 

Ronald McDonald House, Sand Point

Dates vary, 12:45–4:00 PM 

Prepare dinners for families with a sick child at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

YWCA Central Area Food Bank, Madrona 

Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Prep and pack food bags Tuesday or Wednesday morning or deliver groceries to clients’ homes Wednesday afternoon. 

Tiny Home Build, Sound Foundations, South Seattle  

Fourth Saturdays, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM 

Swing a hammer with Epiphany friends building tiny homes, proven stopovers for people moving from the streets to permanent housing. 

Operation Nightwatch Nightly Meal, Nightwatch Dispatch Center 

Third Saturday of odd-numbered months, 7:00–10:00 PM

Epiphany’s night to cook and serve food to 150 or so clients before they head for various city shelters for the night. 

Teen Feed, UCC Church, University District 

Fourth Thursday, January–October, 6:30–8:30 PM

Epiphany’s crew makes enchiladas for young people living on the streets.

YWCA Angeline’s Day Center for Women, Belltown

Third Thursday of the month, 11:30 AM–2:00 PM

Serve lunch to women using Angeline’s drop-in services for the homeless.