Happy May Everyone!
Whew! Is spring really here?!?! As the earth unlocks and turns green, wildflowers push their way through rocky earth, and the rivers rage, I am reminded of what a beautiful and resilient place we live in. It has been a long and hard winter for my Montana born family so I can only imagine the joy this spring beauty can bring to folks from less wintery climates. It has been incredible to recently celebrate kiddos playing soccer (thanks Strikers for your generously donated spots on teams!), births and birthdays, the start of the Farmers’ Market, and families from Africa and the Middle East getting out with friends to hike around on these hills that are awakening (Andi, Jim, Darrin, and many other volunteers- You are AMAZING and we LOVE you!). Missoula couldn’t do the amazing job it is doing without the incredible network of people involved at all levels.
I want to especially highlight the wonderful and important work that Missoula County Public Schools is doing with refugee youth and families. There is an important vote happening right now for both a Middle School and High School levy. We support voting YES for this levy and invite you to check out our reasons why. It is so very essential. In this post, you will also see how SLM has done our small part, with some other very generous partners, to put our (limited!) money where our mouth is to support refugee kids and their families.
Grateful doesn’t even begin to express how I feel for this little city- its land and its people. My heart has burst wide open.
In love and gratitude,
Mary Poole
Missoula Gives!
Yup! We are doing it too!!! This is such a cool day of giving and we are so inspired by many of the non-profits participating! We would love to see you at the Kick-off Party at Plonk on Thursday night and/or at Gecko Designs during First Friday. Please consider giving to Soft Landing Missoula during this brief and exciting community event!
First Farmers’ Market this weekend!
You guys! It is happening! Both the Missoula Farmers’ Market (up by the XXXX’s) and the Clark Fork Market (under the bridge) are starting this Saturday. Last year was so fun to give opportunity to budding culinary entrepreneurs and share a bit of food and culture with Missoula. SLM will again have a booth at the Missoula Farmer’s Market (XXXX’s) with a rotating selection of food, treats (read: Wasan’s Baklava!!!) and special coffee. New this year, we will be offering a look at a traditional Eritrean Coffee Ceremony every week from 10-12. Stop by and see this beautiful ceremony and share a (tiny!) cup of strong coffee that has been hand roasted and brewed on site!
AND we are even MORE excited to announce that the amazing Ammar Omar has worked incredibly hard over the last year and earned his professional caterer’s license. He will have his own booth- Arabian Cuisine- at the Clark Fork Market where he will once again sell the best Falafel in Missoula as well as Shawarma sandwiches made with Montana grass-fed beef!
Please join us on Saturday- AND visit Ammar too! Fingers crossed for sunshine! We are also still looking for regular Saturday volunteers to help at both of the booths. Please email Molly for more info!
Don’t forget to save the date- June 16th- for the Second Annual World Refugee Day Cup Soccer Tournament!
Registration opens soon for soccer players but even if you don’t play soccer, there is going to be an incredibly fun celebration following the tourney with free food, music and dancing!
We are still looking for corporate and individual sponsors- please email me if you are interested in supporting Soft Landing Missoula’s programming through this inspiring event!
SLM Presents: Out of Syria- Lecture to play on MCAT
If you missed this important and informative lecture presented by Brendan Work with insight and guidance given by Syrian refugee families here in Missoula, MCAT has generously made it available to all! Check it out!