Al's Outreach Outtakes

Ahhhh, summertime. A time when parents go crazy trying to keep the kids occupied, and kids do their creative best at finding ways to demonstrate the futility in that effort. For many there are vacations and bar-b-ques and good times with family and friends. Summer should be, in fact, a time to find some relaxation and to recharge  before the rains return in the fall.

Unfortunately, that is not the case for many in our area. This time of year the families with Beaverton School District students who have been receiving breakfast and lunch at school now have to find a different way to get their children fed. Hunger takes no holiday. For these families basic necessity choices get a little tougher. Spending more money on food now means less for other things. Put gas in the car so you can go to work or pay the electricity bill? Wear that pair of shoes with a hole in the sole a little longer or buy the medication you have been prescribed for your heart disease or your child's diabetes? Pay your car insurance or drop it so you can make this month’s rent? All real conversations I have had with many that only increase this time of year.

Then there are the homeless students who might not have family there to help them. At the end of the school year (the latest report I have is from May, 2019) shows there were 2,473 students within the Beaverton School District who met the homeless classification criteria. While 2,128 of those were living in a shared situation, 118 had no shelter at all. If they were lucky they had a tent or a car to sleep in.

Alarmingly, 530 of these kids were too young to attend even kindergarten; 371 were unaccompanied youth meaning they were living without a parent or legal guardian.
As always, we will do all that we can to support these students and their families. For those of you who so generously bring food donations and place them in the large bins, thank you! Microwavable/heat ‘n serve type items are especially appreciated so that the children can easily prepare their own lunch. Please say extra prayers for all of those dealing with food and housing insecurity.