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Homeless stage 'sleep-out' outside Gates Foundation building

by KING 5 News

KING5.com

Posted on October 11, 2011 at 7:38 AM

Updated Tuesday, Oct 11 at 11:01 AM

SEATTLE -- About 100 homeless people and anti-poverty activists staged a "sleep-out" Monday night outside the new Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation building in Seattle to protest a funding shortage that has forced the closure of 15 shelters.

Dozens of homeless people lost their shelter this week after the SHARE/WHEEL organization ran out of funds to keep its network of emergency shelters open. The shelters are housed in area churches, but a lack of funds means the group can't buy bus tickets for homeless people to get to and from the churches. And SHARE/WHEEL and its church partners lack the money to staff the shelters.

The group said the Gates Foundation is not doing enough to solve homelessness in Seattle. SHARE supporters said they chose to protest outside the Gates Foundation because they are tired of seeing global projects funded out of the headquarters while homeless in Seattle suffer in poverty.

And SHARE supporters said it's not just the Gates Foundation that they are targeting. Other area big businesses and foundations are also being asked to provide funds.

Protestors said they plan to protest from 7 p.m.-7 a.m. outside the Gates Foundation building every night until they get enough money to begin operating again.

The Gates Foundation has endorsed a 10-year plan to end homelessness in King County, but the SHARE/Wheel group said the plan doesn't make it a priority to build shelters.

"Me and my wife both sleep in there and we can't be there at the same time, so I let her sleep and I stayed up all night, fighting the fight with everybody," said Marcus Hammitt.

"The Gates Foundation, they're not the only people that we target. Boeing's out there, Microsoft is out there," said Justin Embre.

David Bley, a spokesman for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said "homelessness is an important issue the ... Foundation cares deeply about. In fact, we have committed more than $100 million in the tri-county region alone to address this problem."

The SHARE/WHEEL supporters said they have nothing to do with the Occupy Seattle protest. They said they would like to sit down with some people at the foundation. No word yet if the foundation plans to do that.

The city and county have a few extra spaces for homeless persons, and SHARE said some of its clients are taking advantage of those spots, or seeking empty beds at the Union Gospel Mission, Bread of Life and Nightwatch.

KING 5's Jake Whittenberg contributed to this report.

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Comments: Displaying 1 - 15 of 24

praying4you said on October 13, 2011 at 5:33 AM

I don't agree at all with what is happening here. It has been my understanding that most shelters are run/supported by local govt and/or private charities. Why are they targeting the Gates Foundation? Because they have money,,,because they don't like what Gates is funding??? Since when have they been given ,or anyone else for that matter, the right to determine how or where someone puts THEIR money?? Once again, we are shifting to a communist mentality. "Make the rich pay for the poor!!" If the Gates Foundation WANTS to fund something like this that is completely up to them. Sounds to me like the problem is not that the shelters have no more funding but rather the # of homeless people in the city is too large. THAT is the real problem which can only be solved by providing affordable housing and jobs. This issue is not for the Gates Foundation but for the local government, they need to step in and get these people out of the shelters and back in the work place.

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sharewheel said on October 12, 2011 at 3:46 PM

You are not telling truths MakeMineLatte......and you know it!!! Probably a staff whom BTW is partially paid by the state which includes excellent state benefits!! Here is the truth reposted: If Share\wheel actually would do as they say they are designed and they would "reveal all" and this would include the books, you would all see that not one of you are correct! I am a former SHARE member. The "christians" ARE doing their part! They provide the churces at NO COST to the participant's. The ONLY cost SHARE has is bus tickets, which are at a nominal discount or donated! Call a couple of the churches pastors that house these shelters, and do your own research, this includes the Media who is advertising without merit. Okay listen to me LOUD AND CLEAR!SHARE recieved over 55 THOUSAND DOLLARS IN THE LAST 30 days!!!!Where did it go? Thier books are not transparent! They are doing this to my friends for NO APPARENT EXCEPT PERSONAL REASONING! This is horrible

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MakeMineLatte said on October 12, 2011 at 11:57 AM

Obviously all of you "Good Citizens" have never been homeless. Until you are on the inside looking out you should keep your negative opinions to yourself. Some of you are greedy and heartless people who wouldn't help their own family if they needed a hand. I see all of you complaining about how Share/Wheel runs things but I don't see any of you beating the door down to join them and see firsthand how things are really done. I was a Tent City 3 resident. I know for a fact that they spent money also for trash pick up, a shower unit, porta-potties and food. Much of the money that goes to Share/Wheel goes out into their projects. Without these things at the Tent Cities your neighborhoods would be trashed. They also spend some money to help the camp called Nicklesville. The Gates Foundation concentrates it's donations on computers for schools and libraries.

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mikeyj112460 said on October 12, 2011 at 11:16 AM

SHARE/WHEEL, you people need to get a clue.......The Gates Foundation & the Gates family do not deserve this kind of treatment from you people or any one else. They have given millions upon millions of their money to group's in need, it is their money not your's. Mr. & Mrs Gates, & the people that run their Foundation are "very intelligent & savvy" do you honestly believe that they are going to be bullied into giving you what "you" want? If they caved into your group due to your protest's...... everyone would do just what you are doing "give me what I want, or I'll raise hell until I get what I want." I have known some homeless people, I have talked to a few that held up signs saying "will work for food, anything will help." It kind of peeee's me off when I have offered them odd job's for pay & they turn it down......."but I'll take your money anyway." @conseula I agree with you, they should be in Olympia or D.C. demanding help.

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avianrescue said on October 11, 2011 at 8:30 PM

Lay off the Gates! These wonderful people have gone beyond and above in charity!

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sharewheel said on October 11, 2011 at 7:39 PM

Ok SHARE just got over 60 thousand dollars this month AND tons donated bus tickets. If they do buy bus tickets they are discounted tremendously FACT! Staff the shelters THE PARTICIPANTS DO ALLL THE WORK! Fact! SHARE PAYS FOR A MAT they sleep on! Fact! Once again ask the churches. I am homeless, Bill and Melinda Gates do SO MUCH FOR THE HOMELESS. Call YWCA Angelines and Jubilee just to get a small taste of what they have done for them, just this year and this is just a fraction! Fact! These books are TRANSPARENT TOO! Fact! Do you blame the Gates????????

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conseula said on October 11, 2011 at 4:49 PM

Why don't these ingreats pack up their sleeping bags and tents and head out to the White House where the problems of today are nutured!! Bill and Melinda Gates are beyond generous with their Foundation and do not deserve criticism in any way.. You can give and give to some and it is never enough and those resting in front of the Foundation Building, might think about looking for work.. As far as the homeless being punished? they have punished themselves by not getting off their butts and working..Drug use and alcohol use being their choice which is why they become homeless..

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totalcare3741002 said on October 11, 2011 at 3:53 PM

I feel like I landed in Stupidville.

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dakotanative said on October 11, 2011 at 12:25 PM

Not only have the Bill and Melinda given billions, they have convinced others in their circle to give billions. Why is it that places where the temperature drops to -30 degrees don't have a homeless problem? Do the homeless die, or do the people on the community work together to help each other instead of suckling off of the rich that have worked to get where they are?

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jonjuan said on October 11, 2011 at 12:13 PM

Now that's funny. Trying shake down the richest liberal in the world.

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HomelessAvocate said on October 11, 2011 at 12:09 PM

This is the same old thing with Share/Wheel anytime they don't get the money they think they need they punish the homeless that they say they are helping by closing down shelters and putting them back on the streets. There is almost no cost to having a shelter in a church basement, and people who are homeless get places all the time without bus tickets. Share/Wheel would rather fight than work in partnerships with programs or peoples. I wonder why the press has not seen this and looked deeper into this. Share/Wheel are just making victims of people who are homeless by doing these things.

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cegiraffe said on October 11, 2011 at 10:43 AM

I agree with those who have stated that no one has a right to demand that the Gates Foundation provide money for any cause. Bill and Melinda Gates have been beyond generous with their money which they could be spending only on themselves if they wanted. If any of us asks for help during tough times, we need to be grateful for the help received and "pay it forward" when we can. Demanding more is unbelievable.

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dakotanative said on October 11, 2011 at 10:31 AM

Oh, you are right, crank. There is definately problems there too, but nothing like here.

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Sony_PSN903 said on October 11, 2011 at 10:05 AM

"Bill and Melinda are giving billions to stopping a myriad of things, but they aren't giving ENOUGH to me!" Jesus, do these people even hear themselves talk?

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thecrankster said on October 11, 2011 at 9:52 AM

dakotanative- Yep no waste and corruption in Africa nope none at all. In fact an utopia.

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pharmguy said on October 11, 2011 at 9:43 AM

Does anyone else remember the news stories about offereing the homeless with "will work for food" signs on Seattle corners actual small jobs like mowing a lawn for $20 with a lawn mower provided and none of them even showed up? If I am the Gates Foundation I don't waste my time or money either, tired of people expecitng a free ride in this country when most probably do very little to attempt to better their situation.

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dakotanative said on October 11, 2011 at 9:31 AM

Give 100 million to Africa and 100 million to King County. Africa will dig wells for fresh water, teach people work skills, give people tools needed to make their own living and maybe even build them homes so they are safe. King County will build shelters and pay administrators well. No one will have lifted a finger to help themselves. Next year, the African community will send back a report on how well they are doing. King County will send a request for more money. That is why so much goes overseas. Give a man a fish, he will eat for a day. Teach him to fish, he will eat forever. Gates could have given every wall street protestor 40 grand to find work and 99% of them would be back in a year after a 365 day drinking binge with no skills and their hands out for more money. Why should he help those that have no ambition to help themselves?

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Tnadal said on October 11, 2011 at 8:32 AM

unfortunately, while giving someone a place to sleep and a shower may be all some people need, many people who are homeless have no intention of Fixing their problems. pumping money into shelters doesn't work and isn't a solution to anything but the heartache some people feel while being manipulated by street folk.

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deepsee said on October 11, 2011 at 8:27 AM

Where did that 100 million go? If you took that 100 million, and divided it up equally between ALL the homeless people in this state.......There would be no homeless people...

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c8lsonics said on October 11, 2011 at 8:15 AM

"You are not giving us enough money, so we are gonna squat on your yard!"

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thecrankster said on October 11, 2011 at 8:06 AM

Where did that $100 Million go? I bet it went to some fat cats "nonprofit" group so he can buy a really cool house and nice vacations.

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rite2post said on October 11, 2011 at 8:01 AM

Where did that $100 Million go? That is a lot of money. And shame on those homeless for targeting the Gates. Don't bite the hands that feed you. A donation is a volunteer action and should not be a demand.

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shoreline said on October 11, 2011 at 7:58 AM

I've got ZERO respect or sympathy for this group! The Gates Foundation has already donated 100 million to fight homelessness and untold billions for other worldwide charity. Maybe every charity should demonstrate outside the Gates Foundation because they want more free money? There are A LOT of problems in the world and yours isn't any more important that the others (education, disease, clean drinking water). Do something for yourselves and kick the alcohol and drug habits, re-connect with family and church groups, sleep out on the Capital building or City Hall. But don't take your "protest" to an organization who voluntarily gives money to needy causes and then say it's not enough, we want more! You people suck.

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thecrankster said on October 11, 2011 at 7:56 AM

I agree with the homeless on this issue. I just don't understand how the Gates foundation continually sends big chunks of money to places like Africa while there seems to be plenty of need right here in the USA.

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