What really moves me these days is witnessing compassion in action.  I have been impressed with the amount of service that has occurred in Southern Oregon after the Alemeda fires 3 years ago. 

However, I am continually inspired by humble folks that consistently care about vulnerable people in our community.  While I am happy to personally know many of these heroes, I feel it is my duty to do what I can to support social services organizations that are consistently making a difference in people's lives.   

Southern Oregon Jobs With Justice has been feeding houseless folks in Ashland for years, and, the needs are higher than they have ever been.  There is a tremendous amount of food insecurity in Southern oregon and it continues to get worse due to the Alemeda fires and pandemic. 

Jason and Vanessa Houk are powerful bodhissatva's in our community.  They have won community service awards year after year for their Ashland Community Peace Meals, which have required volunteers and community donations to make it happen.  They are a registered NonProfit with a socially redeeming mission to serve working class folks.  Here is quote from their website:

A TIME OF SERVICE FOR THE HOUSELESS IN ASHLAND 

Vanessa and Jason are raising funds for their annual Christmas dinner for houseless folks in Ashland. This was so incredibly moving to me that I had to promote it to my friends and family. 

Jason and Vanessa lost their home in the Alemeda fire, yet they continued to serve in more ways than can be described here.

Here is a tidbit from Vanessa about the Holiday Peace Meal Celebration being held on November 22 at the Ashland Presbyterian church (Please see flyer below and share this newsletter to people who can help):

A little hope costs less than you might think it does.  (Holiday peace meal party information is here too, but first you have to wade through my holiday musings.)

You already know how much we care about hunger and food insecurity in the Rogue Valley and how the peace meals quietly serve our most vulnerable neighbors, week after week. You know that it's nearly an all volunteer effort that's fueled by thousands of volunteer hours and it's love in action. Thank you to our friends, volunteers and supporters for keeping it all going. 

It's almost time for the holiday peace meal party and I haven't done much of anything to pull it together. Normally by now, I'm several months into collecting gift items and I have a folder full of wish lists. When we lost everything in the Almeda fire, it taught me a lot about hope, and accepting help from others. The past few years has been a series of new lessons for me and one of the most poignant is learning to ask other people for help. 

Help! 

On December 22nd, we are going to create a spectacular party at the Presbyterian church, one that makes that whole building feel like home. There will be gifts for everyone, because as you know, we have to take better care of each other. There will be a good hot meal and how about the tradition of boxes of homemade treats for everyone to take with them at the end of the party? I think that sounds nice. 

One of the things that we've identified as an ongoing need for our brothers and sisters who are living outside is that there aren't enough places where they can get inside for a little while. Thinking about that, and knowing how much we like to encourage everyone to shop local, I'm asking anyone who can afford to buy a couple of small gift cards for local grocery stores, restaurants and/or coffee shops. 

These gifts are handed out to our most vulnerable friends and neighbors and it buys them a meal and an hour of warmth on the coldest days. It literally buys hope. 

A $10 gift card can get someone inside for an hour or so, on one of the coldest days. I'm trying to collect 100 gift cards, and I have holiday cards that we will write some sweet messages in, and I'd like to include a gift card inside each one. 

It's a season of hope. I can finally feel it-- I wasn't sure that it was going to find me this year. If that isn't magic, I don't know what is. 

Drop off locations:

Can inside Pony Espresso next to the bank

Lithia Park, Thursdays and Fridays near the gazebo or bandshell area from 3:30 to 4:30 pm, no matter the weather. 

Mailing address 

Southern Oregon jobs with justice 

258 A Street #1-220

Ashland Oregon 97520

Thank you.

The 8th annual Holiday Peace Meal celebration will be held on November 22 at the Ashland Presbyterian church (1615 Clark Ave, Ashland). 

Cooks, volunteers, and cookie bakers are needed! Here's a sign up sheet for that. (INFO: look for the Rsvp button and click that to sign up)  

https://www.signupgenius.com/.../30E0B4BAAA928ABF58...

We will have volunteers who will deliver a hot meal to any neighbors who are home bound in the Ashland area, or for those who lack transportation. To sign up for a delivery, please visit the link in the first comment.