BTW, Kootch, thanks for posting this.
Here's an e-mail, I just fired off to Human Services Director Danette Smith (danettesmith@seattle.gov):
Dear Ms. Smith,
I am writing to strongly encourage your Department to reconsider the decision that would force Operation Sack Lunch to discontinue their outdoor feeding program, that provides healthy, nutritionally balanced meals to some of Seattle's homeless population.
Although I have never been to that location, I have been a resident of Nickelsville from May of last year, until very recently, where I have had to seek an alternative due to health issues.
Back on point, OSL has provided hot lunches to the residents of Nickelsville, every Monday though Friday, for the last six months.
These meals are nutritionally balanced, and OSL strictly follows Health Department protocols. Upon delivery of the meals to the Camp, the OSL Representative checks the temperature of applicable food items, and it is logged into a notebook, and initialed by the OSL Rep, and one of Nickelsville's Camp elected Kitchen Co-Ordinators.
At least one Kitchen Co-Ordinator must among the Resident Servers of the meal. The Severs must use hand sanitizer before serving, and then glove up and wear a hair net. The meals must be served up on OSL provided plates, no Residents' personal plates allowed. Seconds must be served on a fresh plate. Only the Servers that day are allowed to dish up the food. Residents being served are not allowed to dish up/grab food themselves.
Any leftover food is taken back to the OSL kitchen for disposal, so as not to have any potential food borne illness concerns, from leftovers that may not be properly stored in Camp.
I have no doubt that they follow similar, strict protocols at the freeway location.
In these tough times, with drastic cuts in services, Seattle's homeless population has it even tougher than usual. Forcing OSL to discontinue this tremendous operation could be disastrous to these Human Beings.
Not all, and in fact, likely most of Seattle's homeless population don't have the "luxury" of a relatively safe, supportive community that Nickelsville and some other organized communities offer. Taking away this option for at least one decent meal a day, could not only be highly detrimental to these people's physical health, but to their emotional health as well.
Thank you for your time.
Mike Stahl
206-xxx-xxxx
I'd appreciate, and encourage others to do the same.
Mike
ETA: I screwed up, thinking that Mr. Takami was the HSD Director. Turns out he's the Spokesperson. I sent a copy of the e-m to the actual Director, Danette Smith, and have reflected the changes above.
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