Seattle’s Food and Shelter Depot Served 5,572 Free Meals in December

To the Public: During the past week 1,965 meals were served at the barracks, of which number 641 were paid for, while 1,318 were free. An average of ninety-one have slept each night in the reading room. All have been served alike without regard to race, nationality or religion.

It was thought best at first not to make any reply through the press to the criticisms upon our management, but perhaps it may be worth while to mention a few of the complaints. It has been reported, and evidently believed, that a destitute man could not eat here unless he had money. During the month of December 5,572 free meals were given, which is an average of nearly 130 each day. In regard to the complaints that some men have made concerning the quality of the food, I will say that a month’s trial does not seem to have abated their liking for it. In addition to the meals given here quite a number of poor families are furnished with food of which no account is kept. In regard to the statement that we are feeding a lot of unworthy men, I will say that without doubt many such are eating here, but we cannot remedy that until the woodyard is started. Then every man who does not pay will be required to work for his meals, if able to work. To do this we have obtained the use of a vacant lot opposite the food and shelter depot upon which we shall build sheds to work under in wet weather. We have a car load of four-foot wood coming today. Our aim is to enable men to work for their meals by sawing a certain amount of cordwood. We shall need more financial aid to get the woodyard in operation and we wish to have the use of one or more good teams during the winter for their keep. Those wishing to help along this work can do so at no extra cost to themselves by buying wood from us, which will be sold at market rates, making a profit to help pay expenses.

The following persons have contributed food, money and clothing: a friend, can baking powder, can mustard and can ginger; Snoqualmie Hotel, papers and clothing; City Mills, sack flour; U. S. Clothing Company, shoes; a friend, clothing; Mrs. Spencer, reading matter; A. W. Elliott, 10 cents; Mrs. Kemster, 10 cents; Mrs. Ward, 25 cents; Mrs. Wellman, 10 cents; Bert Colman, clothing; Mrs. John Redick, six pounds baking powder and clothing; Boston Bank, papers; a friend, clothing; Mrs. M. A. Munroe, magazines; Mrs. Mitchel, clothing; Mrs. A. L. Trumbull, clothing; Mrs. Button, clothing; Gordon, Bowen & Tharlow, clothing; P. Simpson, shoes and clothing; Tom Hensei, clothing; Mr. Perron, clothing; Bill the Bearkiller, 55 cents; Adolph Loncke, two sacks rutabagas and box apples; Fred Howland, six gallons milk; Mrs. J. Durgin, two books; Mr. Deffenbaugh, clothing; Smith Young, box apples; Junius Lindberg, $20; Richard Harris, 25 cents; Charles Lincoln, 50 cents; Otto Rosleaf, 50 cents; Cash, 25 cents; Cash, 50 cents; F. Hanford, $1; Cash, 50 cents; Toklas, Singerman & Co., $1; Cash, 50 cents; Cash, 25 cents; Cash, 20 cents; Cash, 25 cents; Cash, 50 cents; Cash, 25 cents; Dr. Walsh, $1; Jewish ladies, remnants of feast; Frank Jobst, box grapes and three sacks cabbage; A. C. Fry Co., sack turnips; Harris Bros., crate cauliflower; White Sewing Machine Co., shoes; Myers Canning Co., three cases salmon; Eureka Bakery, fifty loaves of bread a day.

It would be well to have it understood that the food and shelter depot has no connection whatever financially with the Salvation Army corps. None of our funds are derived from or are given to the funds of the corps, and all communications in regard to charitable work should be sent to my address.

Respectfully, F. H. FOWLER.