Tag Archives: food banks

Share locally: food banks, farmers, and families need your help

Caspar Babypants (Chris Ballew) will perform at the Wellspring Family Services open house on Saturday.
‘Tis the season for sharing good cheer! Here are some ideas to get into the spirit of giving.

Get a great deal on a Christmas tree at El Centro de la Raza and support the many programs they offer our community.

Don’t miss the Wellspring Family Services open house on Saturday, December 4, at 1900 Rainier Avenue South. The event features a free performance by Caspar Babypants (aka Chris Ballew of the Presidents of The United States of America) and other musicians. The open house is free and for all ages, but please bring a new unwrapped toy to support the holiday drive.  You can donate your child’s outgrown clothes and gear (car seats, high chairs, etc.) now and all year-round. Why not start a new tradition and ask your child to make room in the toy box for new things?

Clean your pantry and/or pick up extra items for a Beacon Hill food bank. South Beacon Hill neighbors can donate to Beacon Avenue Food Bank, located at 6230 Beacon Avenue South.  North Beacon folks can donate to El Centro’s food bank. Mid-Beacon neighbors can flip a coin—or donate to both!

The Alleycat Acres urban farming collective relies on donations and volunteers to keep their community-run farming efforts going.

The silent auction is sold out, but you should still make a donation to Open Arms Perinatal Services, a nonprofit agency helping pregnant women.

Do you know a nonprofit we missed?

Rainier Valley Food Bank burglarized, Thanksgiving food stolen

Photo by Mack Male.
Photo by Mack Male.
$1500-$2000 in food was stolen from the Rainier Valley Food Bank between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning when burglars broke into the food bank’s storage locker and stole potatoes, onions, canned food, peanut butter, and other food collected by local volunteers in food drives last weekend. The food was scheduled to be given out this weekend as the Thanksgiving distribution. If you would like to help, you can bring your donations to the Rainier Valley Food Bank, 4205 Rainier Avenue South, Tuesday through Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., or donate online at rvfb.org.

Thanks to the Seattle Times for the report.

Beacon Bits: Dancing, cycling, volunteering

9730_249249265463_201662010463_8456550_3375460_nAmerica’s Best Dance Crew started with nine dance groups at the beginning of the competition. On Sunday night, local heroes Massive Monkees made it to the top three. See them “Tearin’ Up My Heart” here. This week was extra-special for at least one of the group — Samnith Ly, otherwise known as Lil’ Lazy, married Lianna Kalyanei on 9/9/09 at 9:09 pm. Congratulations to the newlyweds!

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Neighbors Willie Weir and Kat Marriner are on a bicycle adventure… to Portland. Willie writes in his blog Yellow Tent Adventures, “what if rather than having a city as a starting point, the city WAS the adventure?… We have visited Portland before. But how will our experience differ while pedaling around the city on a couple of fully-loaded touring bikes?” Willie and Kat won’t be sleeping in a hotel, but instead, they are bringing their camping supplies and planning to camp in the city — somewhere. How are they getting the bikes to Portland? By train, of course.

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Anthony B. Robinson writes about the experience of volunteering at a Beacon Hill food bankCrosscut

Sukiyaki Dinner March 7 at Blaine Memorial

Sukiyaki. Photo by Mari.
Sukiyaki. Photo by Mari.
Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church is having their annual benefit Sukiyaki Dinner on Saturday, March 7, and all are welcome! Dining hours are 4:00 – 7:00 pm, and tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children. Takeout is also available earlier in the day; details are on the event flyer. Rumor has it there will also be a bake sale, so there will be no shortage of tasty edibles, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Beacon Avenue Food Bank and the El Centro De La Raza Food Bank. Blaine Memorial is located at 3001 24th Avenue South.

Edited to add: Blaine Memorial UMC mentions in the comments: “During the month of March, we will also be holding a food drive to benefit the Rainier Valley Food Bank.”

Edited again to correct the name of the Beacon Avenue Food Bank.