Bridging Community Needs continues matching needs with resources

BREWSTER – Bridging Community Needs, a grassroots forum for local religious and community leaders, met for the second time at American Legion Columbia Post 97 on May 2 to continue what it started last January. At that debut gathering last Jan. 30, more than two dozen came together to address food banks and related groups in the Bridgeport, Brewster, and Pateros areas. The primary aim is to create a community list directing individuals, school counselors, and veterans requesting help to the right resources. Discovering areas where existing services overlap can prevent those needing help from falling through the cracks.

Bridging Community Needs was organized by the Legion’s Public Outreach Coordinator and Financial Officer, Edward Gossett, a 22-year retired Navy submarine missile specialist. Gossett now works with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) site in Brewster, one in a network of 10 National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) sites spread across nearly 5,500 miles and controlled remotely from the Array Operations Center in Socorro, NM.

Gossett said he volunteered for many years, including with Catholic Community Services, fixing veterans’ homes in Bremerton,

“I aspire to create a veterans group focused on outdoor adventures and assisting with home projects,” Gossett said.

 He also volunteered with a group called Colorado Community Food Share.

“Food Share offers a reduced price on a box of food if you helped in fields or warehouses,” Gossett said.

Post Commander Greg Wagg opened the meeting with a brief overview of the Legion Hall as a hub for members who join for community service, camaraderie, and helping other vets. Good examples of that are the Legion Riders motorcycle group and the Honor Guard, which attends many local veteran memorial services, parades, and related functions. The hall’s bar and restaurant also provide part-time employment for several individuals. It features a community dinner from 4-6 p.m. every Tuesday. The Legion is always looking for volunteers to prepare home-cooked meals, with the Legion covering food costs.

Wagg said the Legion struggles with its outreach to younger vets “including those needing those needing support with upgrading bad conduct discharges or navigating VA benefits.”

Bev Weddie, Relief Society President for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, updated the group about a family from Ecuador who recently arrived from Seattle and needs legal assistance regarding the challenges and long wait times involved with residency status. It takes at least two years to secure a court appearance and only that after a local legal group accepts them. None are currently accepting new clients.

Staci Pippitt of Okanogan County Transportation and Nutrition (OCTN) and the Brewster-Bridgeport-Pateros Senior Center discussed those groups and the need for more volunteers.

Board members of Columbia Post 97 shared where they help. Bob Lewis is hauling cardboard from the Brewster Food Bank to the recycling center at Pateros. He was asked to lend a hand once several months ago. Since then, he has been doing the job weekly and would welcome some help.

American Legion Sons Commander Brandon Caswell spoke about his group's ongoing work for local veterans who can no longer perform yard work and other tasks.

Economic Alliance Development Specialist Mason Duke reminded the meeting that the EA can help profits and religious groups create business plans, apply for grants, and explore strategies to raise and save money.

Pateros council member and Pateros Fire volunteer Bruce Henne spoke about the department's fundraising efforts. Henne’s Christian men’s study group was setting up a church food bank when they learned about the Brewster Food Bank from the first Bridging Communities meeting and are now helping support it.

In anticipation of the next meeting in August, Gossett and Brewster Chamber of Commerce Director Anna Marie Dalbey are creating a community calendar of local events to improve visibility across organizations.

“Outstanding community needs include a community garden, a volunteer group to make air filters during fire season, and more legal assistance for immigration issues,” Gossett said. 

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media