Marc Stroud Archives

A note from our President

Posted on February 24, 2023February 24, 2023

By Rev. Marc Stroud

SPiN Cafe has been active in Oak Harbor since 2012. Our Mission Statement sums up goals that guide us in serving homeless and other struggling people on Whidbey Island.

“To meet the basic needs of food, shelter and offer a sense of self-worth
to the vulnerable people in our community.”

The hard work of volunteers, staff and financial supporters help us meet our mission and have an impact on lives in our area. The majority of our efforts are in assuring our guests get shelter and food at SPiN Cafe.

Meeting our guests’ physical needs is only the first step for those living on the edge in our community. Our mission pushes us to help them meet higher goals of humanity. Self-worth and belonging mean that we need to provide them with tools to help them fit back into the community.

I will use myself as an example. My story is like many in Oak Harbor. Our professions brought us to the Island, but the people we met here brought us into community. I came as a stranger, but I am part of Oak Harbor because of the friends and neighbors I have gained all over Whidbey Island. The work that brought me here helped me meet my family’s needs of food and shelter, while relationships support and confirm me as a friend and neighbor to others. This helps me to self-actualize my life through the people I come in contact with.

SPiN dinners return

Posted on February 26, 2022February 26, 2022

Persistence pays off, once again. It took a couple of years, but it was dogged persistence,it was relentless, and it was confident, knowing there will be good days ahead.

SPiN Executive Director Michele Chapman has announced that, on March 15, SPiN and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church will once again welcome guests for dinner.

St. Stephen's welcomes SPiN guests — Welcome home, friends. We’ve missed you.

Evening meals will be served from 4:30 – 5:30 PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in the St. Stephen’s parish hall, 555 SE Regatta Drive in Oak Harbor.

Volunteers will be needed. Volunteer information is available by clicking here.

8 years serving SPiN’s Mission

Posted on August 23, 2021August 26, 2021

From our Board President, Rev. Marc Stroud

SPiN Cafe has offered shelter and nourishment to Oak Harbor residents for the past eight years. Most of that time we were in a little storefront on Bayshore Drive, next to the DMV offices. During the early years of the Café, we responded to the needs of our Oak Harbor homeless, jobless, and low income guests. Through the Café, these individuals were able to find the necessary facilities, laundry services, showers, cooked meals and job search information.

Word from the Board President

Posted on April 26, 2021April 26, 2021

The weather this April has been fickle. Last week we had high winds interluded by rain and even hail storms. Just when you feel like hanging up your old rain gear, the radio station in Seattle is declaring another rain front moving into south Seattle. The sun comes out on Whidbey Island and dries up all the rain.