Search and Rescue Van

The Search and Rescue Van goes out at night, distributing food, blankets, clothing and the hand of friendship to individuals sleeping on the streets of Seattle, inviting them to safe shelter at the Mission.

This last year the volunteers on the Search and Rescue Van served over 4,000 cups of hot chocolate and thousands of blankets. This service to Seattle’s homeless community makes the difference between life and death for some sleeping on the streets. To view a slide show of a night on the Search and Rescue Van, click here.

The van goes out when there are enough volunteers to help, like Chris Joselyn.

“My idea was to help Seattle’s homeless with some blankets. God humbled me by how much bigger he thinks. So far, 30 people from our church have made a trip in UGM’s Search and Rescue Van with me that’s a fourth of the congregation! A group of about five of us goes out every other Friday, leaving home at 6:30pm and getting home around 2:00am. But you wake up thinking about the people we minister to and that causes you to forget about yourself. It’s changed us.”

If you would like to volunteer or help provide items that go out with the van, please contact the Volunteer Office at 206.723.0767.