The Share the Plate Committee had 20 applications this year for the six slots in 2022, illustrating the need for OUUC financial assistance in the South Puget Sound area. While all the organizations were worthy and met a need in the community, the committee chose six deserving organizations as next year’s recipients. Following is the timeframe for each organization, and a short mission statement.
January – February: Thurston Climate Action Team (TCAT) – TCAT’s mission is to partner with our community to restore the earth’s climate and create a healthy, just, and joyous world for all people and our planet.
March – April: Olympia Mutual Aid Partners (OlyMAP) – The mission of OlyMAP is to support all people’s right to a safe and warm place to call home through centering the voices of unhoused and marginalized peoples, challenging systems of oppression, building bridges between unhoused and housed community members through engagement and education, and by providing health, safety, and stability support to our neighbors living outdoors.
May – June: Homes First – Homes First’s mission is dedicated to the creation and maintenance of safe, healthy, and affordable rental homes for those who need them most.
July – August: SafePlace – SafePlace strives to stop sexual and domestic violence and advocate for personal and societal change through crisis intervention and education.
September – October: The Olympia Free Clinic – The Olympia Free Clinic is a volunteer-based organization where underserved community members receive health care services and linkages to community resources, within a caring and respectful environment at no cost to them.
November – December: Olympia Books to Prisoners – Olympia Books to Prisoners works to offset the dehumanizing effects of incarceration by sending quality used books free of charge to prisoners all over the United States. We aim to foster a love of reading behind bars and encourage the autonomous, self-directed pursuit of knowledge on the part of those we serve.
A big thank you to the Share the Plate Committee members who helped solicit applications, determine criteria, review and evaluate the applications. We had some great discussions during the ever-evolving process. Thanks, Anne Hundley, John Gear, John Rampano, Maureen Fitzgerald, Seldon Hall, and Zoe Myers. Maureen and Sally Brennand also helped coach some applicants to best present their organizations. Special kudos to Anne Hundley and Jo Sahlin for helping prepare the awesome videos that describe and introduce each organization, and Darlene Sarkela for gathering and summarizing all the applications, and tracking and sharing the STP contribution amounts.
Lastly, thanks most for all the generous contributions from the OUUC congregation – over the years there has been a steady trend upwards in contributions, which has directly benefited the STP recipients. Thanks so much for your generosity.