Shannon’s List exists because of my friend Shannon Russell, who passed away in January of 2026. I knew Shannon for less than a year, but she had as much of an impact on me as anyone I have ever known.
Shannon lived a hard life. She went through abuse, homelessness, chronic illness, and more physical and emotional pain than most people could imagine. Rheumatoid arthritis made it difficult for her to move around, and she used a walker. She hurt every day. But if you met her, that is not what you would remember first.
You would remember her spirit.
She was positive. She was funny. She had a laugh that stuck with you. And no matter what she was facing, she kept going.
Shannon did not have everything figured out. She was not especially organized. She would scribble things down on scraps of paper or whatever she had nearby. But somehow, she always found a way to get what she needed. She knew where to go for a hot meal. She knew which food shelves to visit. She knew how to make it to her appointments. She knew how to survive.
I was often the one driving her. I would take her to the Listening House, to food shelves, to medical appointments. I saw firsthand how much effort it took just for her to do the basic things most of us take for granted. And through all of it, she rarely complained. She just kept moving forward.
This site is not a literal version of Shannon’s notes. It is something more intentional than that.
Shannon’s List is a tribute to her resourcefulness. It was created for people like Shannon, and for anyone who needs help but does not know where to start.
There are so many resources out there, but finding them can be overwhelming, especially when you are already struggling. My hope is that this site can make that process a little easier. That it can help someone find food, or shelter, or support, when they need it most.
Shannon showed me what real resilience looks like. Creating this site is one way I can honor her, and hopefully help others along the way.