What Numbers Tell Us
Numbers and statistics are important. They are important because they give us an aerial view of the needs in our community. When we take a look at the numbers, they can be shocking.
Here’s some that may surprise you:
- Over 20,000 people are homeless in Washington State.
- More than 2,300 of them are right here in Snohomish County.
- Families with children make up almost 50% of the total homeless population.
- 1 in 4 children has a family that struggles to pay for necessities like food and housing.
- Washington is the 15th hungriest state in the nation.
- We’re also in the top 6 states where hunger is growing fastest.
With just a glance at these numbers, you can see that too many people are going hungry. It’s a tragedy. Especially when just $2.05 can provide a good hot meal, the hope of Jesus and the chance to escape homelessness for good.
But while thinking about numbers on a large scale is important, it can be overwhelming. A number like 2,300 is nothing but a number unless we remind ourselves what it represents. People. Hungry people. Homeless people. People we can help.
God doesn’t call us to help all 2,300 at once. (But if you have the resources, lets talk!) He asks us to reach out to just one. Love one. Help one. Feed one.
If everyone in our community helped feed just one person this fall, we wouldn’t have a hunger problem at all. What an amazing turn-around that would be. Not because the numbers would change, but because people’s lives would change. Not just for today, or tomorrow. But for eternity.
God works miracles. I’ve seen it happen over and over again. It all can start with a meal.
I know you are already a partner to Everett Gospel Mission, but I bet you know someone who isn’t. Invite them to help the FEED HOPE HERE campaign this fall, as we get ready for Thanksgiving. IF we all come together, this can be the biggest, most transformational Thanksgiving ever!
Sylvia Anderson
