We’re quickly going to sound like a broken record, as we use this space this week to illuminate the need in our communities, and again lay out what you can do to help.
But hey, there are worse ways to spend column inches.
As you plan your holiday and end-of-the-year giving, you have the opportunity to donate both money and time to organizations doing good work right here in Queen Anne, Magnolia, Interbay, and Uptown. Here are just a few of the ways you can get involved.
Bellwether Housing operates the 50-unit Parker Apartments, near Seattle Pacific University, for those with low-incomes, as part of its network of affordable housing properties across the city. Donations can be made at www.bellwetherhousing.org.
DESC operates Interbay Place, which provides 97 units of affordable housing, coupled with support services for men and women who were homeless, and living with mental illness, substance-use disorders, or other disabling conditions. They take donations through www.desc.org.
Each week, the Queen Anne Food Bank supports about 100 families while its meal program dishes out, on average, 250 sandwiches and 15 gallons of hot soup to 125 individuals per day.
$50 provides 100 meals to neighbors in need, while a $135 donation feeds a family of three for one month. There is also plenty of options for volunteering, with the most pressing need for meal program door volunteers Monday through Thursday morning to serve lunches and soup, and for backup grocery rescue drivers to pick up donated food from the nonprofit’s grocery partners. For more information, or to donate, visit www.qafb.org.
The Queen Anne Helpline has been serving the community for more than 30 years, providing everything from rent and move-in assistance, to help with utility payments and case management. And that’s just for residents of three zip codes. All Seattle residents in need are able to take advantage of the men and women’s clothing and linen bank, among other services.
Financial donations can be made at www.queenannehelpline.org, but also accept in-kind donations for their food pantry (peanut butter, canned tuna, granola bars, juice boxes, etc.), hygiene bar (toothpaste and toothbrushes, razors, soap), and clothing bank (blankets, sheets, towels, larger size clothing, new packs of socks/underwear, warm coats, and shoes).
You also have the opportunity to support their efforts by purchasing your Christmas tree at their lot in the Safeway parking lot on upper Queen Anne.
Finally, mention must be given to SHARE/WHEEL, which operates Tent City 5 in Interbay, which recently completed its first year in the neighborhood. They list their top needs as tents, tarps, and blankets, along with batteries, and hot food. For more information, go to www.sharewheel.org/tent-city-5.
Unfortunately, this is just a small sampling of the organizations that do good work and could use our assistance. But you get the idea.
And while we hope you heed the call for help this holiday, we also implore you to use that holiday cheer to propel you into 2017.
The need doesn’t end when the season does, and now is as good a time as ever to schedule a recurring donation to the nonprofit of your choice.
Happy holidays.