More than 60 volunteers gathered last week to serve hundreds of people experiencing homelessness – and each seemed to be moved by the experience. “Yesterday redefined the word homelessness for me, and that is coming from someone who thought I understood it well.” said Carina from F5.

The Family Resource Exchange is a great reminder that people are just people. People juggling multiple jobs, people trying to keep their kids safe and people trying to get back on their feet. A couple of the people we met:

• Rayan has been homeless for two months. He worked in construction for a couple of years. Recently lost his job due to major injury outside of work that caused temporary disability. At the Family Resource Exchange he met with housing provider to help him find a temporary home until he recovers from his injury.

• Diana is a single mother with two kids. Facing the stress we all do for back-to-school, she was excited to learn that there were plenty of supplies to help her children be prepared for September. The kids were thrilled with new backpacks, shoes, and lunch snacks.

With the help of all the volunteers and 40 service providers, including Wellspring and Mary’s Place, more than 325 people experiencing homelessness were connected to services including housing, food, jobs and backpacks

Thanks to Starbucks, F5, Alaska Airlines, and Kaiser Permanente for making the event possible. Want to volunteer to help people struggling? Check out these powerful volunteer opportunities where they need your help!