Community

 

https://northhelpline.org/

 

About a year ago I switched to volunteering at the food bank in the above photo which is just a mile from my home. It’s a pleasant walk (except during an atmospheric river) and it gives me a closer view of my neighbors and community.

Through coworkers at the food bank, I learned of a local community group and was able to join a Zoom presentation on the construction of a new community center. Six stories of the new community center will be for low income housing. The new housing is about a half mile away from the food bank where many low income customers come to pick up food weekly. 

https://www.lovestruckinseattle.com/

I've been discovering other places in my neighborhood, all within 2.5 miles (walking distance in good weather and when I’m up to a big hill challenge). A new romance bookstore, Lovestruck in Seattle, opened a few months ago and they host multiple book clubs monthly. The first book clubs sold out within hours and my hesitation cost me the opportunity to give it a try—next month I’ll jump right on it!

The 8 limbs of yoga

I tried a Hatha yoga studio two miles away and loved it. Though I found the gentle class much more to my liking than the challenging yoga flow class.

 

This month's blanket drop off

In another community Zoom presentation I learned of more opportunities for senior volunteers. The group "Knit It Alls" definitely appealed to me since I already knit so many cat blankets, I'm embarrassed every time I drop off a big armload of blankets. Now I can knit some hats for donations.

Finally, my husband and I tried a bakery 2.5 miles down the street from us and we now make it our Saturday morning breakfast stop. The bakery, Grateful Bread, uses organic local flour and makes wonderful bagels, muffins, soups and sandwiches. Even better, a neighbor just two houses down from us owns and operates the bakery!