Donations to our Neighbors In Need campaign during the month of December will appear in a public thank you published in the Courier Herald in the January 25th edition of the Courier Herald (names only, not amounts).

We are so grateful for your donations totaling over $17,000 throughout this campaign. Thank you so very much.

Neighbors in Need Article 2 from the Enumclaw Courier-Herald: December 21, 2023

New Wheels, New Hope

 
As I reflect on this year, a story from just a few weeks ago, stands out. We had a client come in with a unique ask. Jake came in to see us here at Plateau Outreach Ministries because his bike broke, making it impossible for him to get to work. We are so grateful he called us here at POM. Recognizing the significance of reliable transportation for employment, our case manager was able to secure a new bike for him.
 
Jake's story isn't just about getting a new set of wheels; it's about the incredible impact happening in lives right here in our neighborhood. Your generosity, yes, yours, makes it possible for Plateau Outreach Ministries to be a source of support and empowerment for folks like Jake. It's a community coming together to make sure everyone has what they need; empowering individuals just like Jake.
 
As Neighbors in Need continues, your contributions become a lifeline for our community. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of our neighbors in need.
 
Gratefully,
Elisha Smith-Marshall

Neighbors in Need Article 1 from the Enumclaw Courier-Herald: December 14, 2023

Neighbors in Need Article from the Enumclaw Courier-Herald: December 14, 2022:

Raspberry Moments

Mia walked in with her mom to pickup some groceries at food bank last week. There are often busy little children running around as their parents or grandparents try to quickly make their choices about what to bring home. Some of them sit and wait with our volunteers, and some of them stick close to their parent. Any parent who has ever been at a grocery store with a child, knows sometimes a yummy treat is just what you need to get you through. So, Mia was handed a container of raspberries, which she took and went to sit by the little Christmas tree.
Lucy was already sitting near there, and had been coloring quietly, watching Mia make her way around the foodbank. The container opened between them; Lucy watched carefully as Mia stuck a raspberry on her finger, and then quickly popped it in her mouth. Mia picked up another raspberry and held it on the tip of her finger like a little hat, and extended it to Lucy. Lucy looked over at her mom, and her mom nodded. Lucy tried on the raspberry “finger hat”, and then popped it into her own mouth. The two girls sat and giggled and ate raspberries, pointing at the Christmas tree from time to time. 
There weren't grand gestures or eloquent words; just two four-year-olds, bonding over a simple snack. They swapped raspberries, giggled, and even dropped a few on the floor. The room, filled with the hum of activity, felt warmer as Lucy and Mia shared this moment.
As the two families eventually went their separate ways, Lucy and Mia's brief encounter lingered—a small, genuine connection that made the food bank feel a bit more like a community. In a container of raspberries, they found a simple, sweet bond that spoke louder than words.
Compassion is often that way I think, where the connection and shared moment together means more than any words. Your donations make moments like this possible. Moments for two little girls to share a moment of connection over something as sweet as raspberries. It might seem like a really simple thing, but it makes a big difference. Thank you for your ongoing support, which ensures there will be more raspberry moments for everyone who walks through POM’s doors in the coming year.

Elisha Smith-Marshall