Nick Leider is betting on the generosity of his neighbors this weekend. As Executive Director of Tacoma-based social service organization Nativity House, Leider is responsible for ensuring that hundreds of Tacoma’s homeless residents receive food, clothing and other basics. This Saturday, Leider’s organization hopes to net about $80,000 at the Nativity House Annual Gala Auction. That money will go to help pay for services that are growing in demand in Tacoma. 



Nativity House was established Christmas Eve 1979, and is the only daytime drop-in shelter for homeless people living in Tacoma. During the past three decades, the organization has grown from a small store-front operation with a tight budget and a small group of loyal supporters to one of the largest homeless-services agencies in the city. Nativity House moved to its new home at the corner of 23rd Street and South Jefferson Avenue in 2003, allowing organizers to expand services and the number of people served.



Nativity House does a lot for people living on the streets. The organization serves two meals a day. It provides clean, dry clothing, and toiletries. Volunteers and a small paid staff help guests secure Washington I.D. cards, bus tickets to jobs and health appointments. They help people find non-narcotic prescription drug support, rent support, and referrals to mental health treatment, drug and alcohol abuse treatment, detox centers and overnight shelters and feeding programs. They provide a physical address for people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to receive assistance checks or be able to stay in touch with their families.



This year’s auction is a big one, says Leider. Nativity House has seen a sharp increase in need, with visits from guests increasing consistently since August of 2008. In January, the number of guests served increase by 63 percent — that’s 8,846 meals, versus 5,418 in January 2007. That increase might have something to do with Washington’s unemployment rate flying straight through the m’fn roof. This month, the state Employment Security Department estimated that more than 300,000 people in Washington were out of work — a record rate of 7.8 percent. The greater Tacoma-area is even worse at 9.1 percent.



“Our staff sees two or three new faces every day,” Leider says.

Meanwhile, Leider has received word that money spent at charity auctions is dwindling — down as much as 40 percent at some auctions, according to one local auctioneer. Nativity House depends on revenue from its annual auction, which is expected to provide about a fifth of the organization’s operating budget for the year.



Fund-raisers such as the Annual Gala Auction help pay for adequate staffing and programs. Last year, Nativity House suffered when its annual donation drive coincided with announcements that the economy was indeed completely jacked. Predictably, it didn’t do as well as everyone had hoped.



“The initial response was very light,” says Leider.



That shortcoming, combined with growing need, makes this year’s auction all the more important. With their annual donations drive side-railed by Economic Blast ’08-’09, or whatever we’re calling it, Nativity House has opted not to fill a couple of vacated staff positions. They have closed down the art room, and suspended printing Street Pulse, a small newspaper, produced by guests, that explores life on the street. Leider considers his organization fortunate; however, as service groups such as Faith Homes, Irma Gary House close their doors, and others, such as food banks, scramble to keep up. 



“A lot of where we’re going to be will be determined on Saturday,” says Leider. “If we do well, it will be great. We’ll be able to restore some of what we’ve cut. If we don’t do well, we’ll have to keep the belt really, really tight.”

To donate time and money to the Nativity House, call 253.272.5266.