More than 100 social agencies and other vendors served people at Spokane’s annual Homeless Connect event Thursday in the Convention Center.
“There’s a food bank. There’s a clothing bank. They can get a free meal while they’re here. They’re doing hepatitis screening right now. EPI Pharmaceutical is here with their bus,” said Maurice Smith, a spokesman for the Spokane Homeless Coalition.
The Spokane Resource Center had a presence there. Anthony Singleton answered questions from those who wanted to know how they could access services at the center.
“There was one couple we just saw where the individual was defeated inside,” Singleton said. “I just gave him a hug and said the issue with you now is self confidence. He has no support. His wife is a nurse and she doesn’t have her credentials here. Out of all the states this is the one where her certification isn’t recognized. And guess what, we can help her pay for that. So that changes her situation as a family.”
All Creatures Animal Clinic from Spokane Valley volunteered to give free exams to the pets of people who are homeless. The clinic’s Brittney Fox says it’s the fifth year the clinic has offered its services.
“The majority of what we do here is offer vaccinations for the animals,” Fox said. “They need to get their pets vaccinated to get into housing, so the owners of these animals have to have current rabies to get into housing.”
Organizers of the event estimate at least 700 people came to get services.
It was the first time the convention center was used for the Homeless Connect. The event has outgrown smaller venues.