Our Place Community Outreach

Since 1987, Our Place has grown from a group of concerned citizens distributing food and clothing out of a basement into a multi-faceted outreach recognized for our truly caring and effective approach to poverty and homelessness. All who come here live in poverty. They are some of Spokane's poorest and most vulnerable citizens. The West Central area is one of the poorest in Washington State. Last year we assisted 14,270 people, including 1,321 homeless, with food,transportation, clothing, hygiene items, laundry and utility assistance. Only 871 (just over 4%) had part or full-time employment, and these jobs were low paying; typically less than $15,000 per year. The number one source of income for people is public assistance, followed by social security. Over 80 volunteers donate their time and energy to Our Place each month.

Our Place Community Outreach is a low-barrier food bank, hygiene bank, clothing bank, housewares bank, and laundromat that serves all of Spokane County, plus limited transportation assistance. We do not ask for photo ID or other documentation from folks who come for services. We also have Avista assistance for West Central residents only. We have recently extended our hours and donation-receiving capacity in order to meet the needs of households recently displaced by the Medical Lake and Cheney wildfires.