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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Jam for Bread in coffeehouse mode

Annual event benefits Crosswalk

The downtown Westminster Congregational United Church of Christ has been supporting local nonprofit organizations with its annual Jam for Bread event for more than 10 years.

This year the beneficiary is Crosswalk, the teen shelter operated by Volunteers of America.

“We are a downtown church and we see the street kids and the homeless people, they knock on our doors,” said Barb Borgens, chair of the Jam for Bread committee.

Borgens said the church refers the homeless to social outreach organizations all the time, so helping out Crosswalk was an easy decision.

This year’s Jam for Bread is a little different, Borgens said, because it’s held in the church’s social hall instead of the sanctuary.

“We wanted more of a coffeehouse feeling to the event,” Borgens said.

Carlos Alden is the music director of the event, and Borgens said his connections in Spokane’s music world helped the church bring in great performers.

“Heather Villa who was with Six Foot Swing will be there, and so will Free Whiskey – the band, not the drink,” Borgens said.

The raffle features a variety of gift baskets donated by businesses and church supporters.