The annual event, held Friday at Ashland Presbyterian Church, provides food, donated clothing and gifts to people in need

By Jim Flint for Ashland.news

A holiday meal Friday afternoon in Ashland brought hope and cheer to those in need.

Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice held its annual Christmas dinner Dec. 20 at Ashland Presbyterian Church, bringing together nearly 200 individuals in need, many of them unhoused. The event offered a traditional holiday meal alongside tables filled with donated clothing, supplies and gifts.

The atmosphere was one of gratitude, celebration and community. Conviviality and conversation filled the space as people shared a meal and connected with one another.

Entirely community-funded, the event relies on the efforts of volunteers who cook, organize donations and help ensure everyone leaves with something they need — and a full stomach.

Jason and Vanessa Houk, who live near Ashland, were two of the volunteers who made the day possible. She is co-president of the Jobs with Justice board and he is treasurer.

“JWJ was the brainchild of Wes Brain,” Jason Houk said. “I’ve been working with them since its founding in 2008. Vanessa got involved along the way.”

JWJ’s mission is to educate and advocate in support of improving standards of living, protecting job security and helping those in need.

Year-round effort

“All year round we distribute clothing and other goods at community meals in Lithia Park and at shelters,” Houk said.

The organization sponsors two special dinners and gift-giving events annually, for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

This is the second year the Christmas event has been held at Ashland Presbyterian Church.

“In the past, we’ve had it at several different locations — at Pioneer Hall, other churches, the Bellview Grange,” Houk said.

About 15 volunteers helped set up, serve the meal, clean up, distribute goods and gifts, and clean up.

The menu featured traditional holiday fare, with baked ham, roast turkey, dressing, potatoes and other sides.

“We had an amazing amount of home-cooked food, the typical family favorites, Houk said. “It was all so good. We call our food volunteers the ‘Crockpot Brigade.’”

Those in attendance expressed their appreciation.

Real silverware

“For many of them, it was a chance to be indoors, use real silverware and enjoy cloth napkins,” Houk said. “There were lots of abundance and people left happy.”

Vanessa Houk said many of the attendees shared their stories, with each other and with volunteers.

“One woman I met had been homeless for quite a while,” she said. “She just recently has secured housing and went home with things she needed and some gifts, too. It’s love in action.”

JWJ serves the unhoused, but also assists people in the process of setting up a home, helping them find items they need, such as a couch, a bed, a table and the like.

Most of the smaller items are collected year-round from a donation box at the Ashland Pony Espresso.

Jason Houk said many of the most-needed items for the unhoused are things a person might take camping: temperature-appropriate clothing, blankets, foodstuff, coats and other everyday essentials. JWJ does not serve a great number of children, so donated kids’ items are usually directed elsewhere.

JWJ currently has about 50 volunteers who contribute their time. “We can always use more,” he said.

He directs those interested in volunteering, donating or wishing to learn more about JWJ to go to the website sojwj.org.

Donations buy not only warmth and security for those in need but also hope. It’s a community effort that is highlighted during the holidays but continues all year long.

Freelance writer Jim Flint is a retired newspaper publisher and editor. Email him at [email protected].