Debra Sinick

Posts Tagged ‘Hopelink’

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Eastside Month of Concern for the Hungry Needs Your Help!

In Kirkland WA on September 22, 2011 at 8:34 am

There are people in Kirkland who need your help.  Eastside Month of Concern for the Hungry is fast approaching and people are needed to collect donations at Kirkland area supermarkets.  There are a lot of people who are in need of food at this particular time.

Hardly anyone has signed up for October 8th food drive.  You only need to volunteer for 2 1/2  hours to collect the food.  That’s all you have to do.  Couldn’t you spare a few hours to help those who are in need?

Can’t make it to volunteer on October 8th?  Go to the your favorite supermarket to shop and donate on either September 24th or October 8th.  You can also donate throughout the month at a variety of sites all over the eastside.  Remember the drive is a month long so there is a lot of time for you to give.

Food donations on Seattle's eastside

Collecting Food for Eastside Month of Concern for the Hungry

Below is the text from Kari Page, Kirkland neighborhood coordinator regarding the food drive.

Local Mayors proclaim September 24-October 22 as “Eastside Month of Concern for the Hungry”

The Mayors of several East King County cities will soon proclaim September 24 through October 22 as “Eastside Month of Concern for the Hungry” as part of the annual “Day of Concern for the Hungry” campaign sponsored by the Emergency Feeding Program of Seattle & King County.  The proclamations officially launch the annual “Share What You Can” campaign to benefit those served by local food banks and feeding programs.  The emphasis is to fill food bank shelves with non-perishable food items as the school season begins.  Donation centers include, various community centers, City Halls, and fire stations.  In addition, on Saturdays throughout the month, volunteers will be collecting food at select grocery stores throughout East King County.

Last year more than 60,000 pounds of food and over $10,000 in cash donations were collected as part of this effort.   These donations help local food banks meet the increasing demand for food assistance at a time when many organizations are experiencing significant funding cuts.  In fact, Hopelink reported that in 2010 the demand was up by 12 percent and has risen by 47 percent over the past three years.

In participating communities, neighborhood associations, community leaders, faith organizations, businesses, hospitals, and schools are encouraged to rally by hosting food drives and fundraising events and volunteering at hosted stores.

For more information or to volunteer, please sign up at Kirkland’s volunteer link.

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A Wet and Wild Hopelink Fundraiser on the Wenatchee River

In Kirkland WA, Uncategorized on May 7, 2011 at 12:36 pm

Do you love river rafting?  On Saturday, May 21st, head to the sun and eastern Washington to to take a trip down the Wenatchee River.  All the proceeds from the event will go to Hopelink here on the eastside.  Not only will you have fun, you’ll be doing a good thing for people on the eastside!

The cost for the event is $65.00 and must be prepaid a week in advance.  You can register at riversinc@netzero.net.  Riversinc will provide gear, a guide, a wetsuit, and a big lunch.  Ages 10 and up can participate.

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Go To The Supermarket in Kirkland on Saturday & Donate Food!

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA on October 8, 2010 at 12:58 pm

Tomorrow, October 9th is the second big Saturday push for the Eastside Month of Concern for the Hungry. Your food or money donations are needed by many different food banks on the Eastside.  The food will be distributed to Hopelink, Mercer Island Food Bank, Issaquah Food Bank, Renewal Food Bank, Emergency Feeding Program, the ARAS Foundation.

Please don’t forget many of our local citizens.  People who live down the street or have kids in your child’s class could be some of the people who need your help. Volunteers will be collecting tomorrow at many supermarkets all over the eastside.

Not going to the supermarket tomorrow?  Here’s a list of the places all over the eastside where you can donate food or money from now until October 23rd.

In Kirkland you can donate at:

Hopelink – Kirkland
11011 120th Ave NE

Kirkland City Hall
123 5th Ave

Kirkland Fire Station 21
9816 Forbes Creek Dr

Kirkland Fire Station 22
6602 108th Ave NE

Kirkland Fire Station 25
12033 76th Pl NE

Kirkland Fire Station 26
9930 124th Ave NE

Kirkland Fire Station 24
8411 NE 141st St

Kirkland Fire Station 27
11210 NE 132nd St

North Kirkland Community Center
12421 103rd Ave NE

Peter Kirk Community Center
352 Kirkland Ave
Join us on Facebook, support the food drive and keep up with the latest news on the event.

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Kirkland Washington’s Metropolitan Market Put On a Great Bash for Hopelink

In Kirkland WA on May 14, 2010 at 6:00 pm

Kirkland’s new Metropolitan Market made a great entry into the Kirkland, WA community last night.  The grocery store (coming on June 3rd) opened its doors to its unfinished store and sponsored a party to raise money for Hopelink.  Approximately 400 people attended at a cost of $75.00 each, raising, I hope, about $30,000!    The event was a great tribute to the community spirit of our newest supermarket and to the generosity of Seattle eastsiders.

Hopelink Fundraiser at Kirkland's Metropolitan Market

Kirkland WA's Metropolitan Market Fundraiser for Hopelink

The food was fabulous as many local purveyors were offering tastings of their food.  There were vendors all over the store serving some wonderful bites,  Think apricots with cheese and pecans, artisanal cheeses and gourmet crackers, meatballs with savory sauces, wonderful mushrooms, oysters, cioppino, gelato, mouth watering mini-cupcakes

Metropolitan Market Cupcakes

Wonderful Cupcakes at the Metropolitan Market

and enough chocolate to feed the entire eastside.  Fran’s Chocolates, with those salted caramels President Obama loves, Theo’s Chocolates, Tom Douglas‘s crew and his fish/meat rubs, Salumi from Pioneer Square and a host of other great Northwest food and wine purveyors were there.

I was particularly impressed by the graciousness of the  staff.  We were welcomed at the door and thanked with a gift bag when leaving the event.  The plus for all who attended was the great food and the opportunity to see what will be coming for Kirkland with Metropolitan Market.

Best of all, Hopelink received money to fund programs.

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Kirkland, You Did Such A Good Job Donating Food, We’re At It Again!

In Kirkland WA on September 25, 2009 at 10:25 am

Kirkland did such a great job donating food for last fall’s Kirkland food drive for Hopelink that we are at it again.  Only this time, the challenge is bigger and better.  Last year the neighborhoods in Kirkland donated over 20,000 lbs. of food to Hopelink. This year in addition to Kirkland, Bellevue, Sammamish, Issaquah, Mercer Island and Redmond are taking on the challenge.  This year’s challenge is to raise 200,000 lbs. of food for Hopelink, the Mercer Island Food Bank, ARAS of Sammamish, the Issaquah Food Bank, the World Impact Network Renewal Food Bank, and the Emergency Feeding Program of Seattle & King County.

Some sobering eastside statistics regarding the need for donations:

  • Requests for food at local food banks are up almost 50% as compared to 18 months ago.
  • Among the client households served 44% said they had to choose between paying for food and paying for rent or mortgage.
  • 38% have at least one household member under the age of 18 years.
  • While the need is surging, donations have been trending downward.

September 26-October 24, 2009 has been declared “Eastside’s Month of Concern for the Hungry.” The kick off date for the food drive is this Saturday, September 26th, with many grocery stores participating in a “Day of Concern for the Hungry.” Everyone is asked to help those in need by donating non-perishable items to the food drive.

Here’s a copy of the list of recommended food items:

  • Peanut Butter (18 oz plastic jars)
  • Canned corn, peas, green beans, diced tomatoes
  • Canned peaches, pineapple, fruit cocktail
  • Canned pineapple and tomato juice (48 oz.)
  • Canned beef stew (24 oz.)
  • Canned pork & beans
  • Canned lunch meat (SPAM)
  • Canned tuna
  • Canned soup
  • Canned chili
  • 1 qt envelopes powdered milk
  • Vegetable oil (24 oz.)
  • Snack pudding
  • Macaroni & cheese
  • Jars of baby food (1st and 2nd foods only)
  • Dried pasta

Please donate in Kirkland. The fire stations, Evergreen Hospital, and City Hall are all collection points.

Neighborhood drop off point:

City Hall (they are expecting donations from the Highlands)

123 Fifth Avenue

The need is great.  Think about picking one or two items up every time you go to the grocery store this month.  It’ll be an easy way to collect a bag full of food items.

One, possibly two, neighborhood food drives will be planned for this coming month.  If you’re interested in helping with the food drive and volunteering a little time, please email at debra@debrasinick.com.

Stay tuned, I’ll be providing some more information about the neighborhood activities for the food drive.  For more information about the food drive in general, check out the eastside forum site.

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Seattle/Eastside’s Hopelink Launches Its “End Summer Hunger” Campaign in April

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA on March 30, 2009 at 11:58 am


When school is out for the summer, many of the 11,000 children in north and east King County who receive free or reduced cost meals during the school year may go hungry.

REDMOND, Wash. – Hopelink, the largest social services agency serving east and north King County, will launch its annual “End Summer Hunger” fund and food drive in April. Presenting sponsor Expedia invites community groups, schools, businesses and our neighbors throughout the area to join in now through August and do their part to ease hunger and homelessness among our communities’ children and families.

Families made 23 percent more visits to Hopelink’s food banks between September and December 2008 than the same period in 2007. Considering the rapidly growing number of families in financial distress due to the economy and seeking help from Hopelink, this campaign is more important than ever in ensuring Hopelink’s ability to feed hungry children. The proceeds from End Summer Hunger will stock Hopelink’s six food banks for the high-demand summer months when subsidized meal programs at schools are not available and parents need more food to fill their children’s stomachs. The proceeds also support Hopelink’s homelessness prevention programs for families. In 2008, the End Summer Hunger campaign raised more than $119,000 in monetary and food donations.

Nearly 14 percent – almost 11,000 – of the children in school districts in Hopelink’s service areas in north and east King County receive free or reduced cost breakfasts and lunches during the school year. As the economy continues to stagnate, school districts expect that number to grow. Even with the help of these at-school meal programs, parents of those children struggle to meet their families’ nutrition and other basic needs. When the subsidized meal programs are not available, parents experience an even greater strain on their already stressed household budgets, and rely much more heavily on food banks to provide nutritious food for their children. Families with two working parents or a single parent who works must also find ways to pay for summer daycare for younger children, further straining the family budget. This strain sometimes even leads to an inability to pay rent or the mortgage, putting the family at risk for homelessness. Hopelink expects the situation to be even more acute as the economic decline continues.

“With the support of our community’s schoolchildren and others involved in End Summer Hunger, Hopelink works very hard to find direct, effective ways to fight poverty in our area,” said Marilyn Mason-Plunkett, President and CEO of Hopelink. “End Summer Hunger is an important tool for feeding the 11,000 children in north and east King County who otherwise may well go hungry during the summer. Furthermore, End Summer Hunger relieves the extra financial burden of providing those summertime meals for the parents of these children, which in turn contributes to their families’ financial stability.”

The grassroots End Summer Hunger campaign begins April 1 and ends August 31, and seeks support from schools, individuals, businesses, and organizations. This program is particularly important because donations to Hopelink historically drop during the summer, leaving the agency’s food banks with lower than normal supplies. Schools that support the program encourage children in classrooms to collect coins, while businesses, organizations and civic or community clubs hold food drives, fund drives, or both, according to what works best for them.

Expedia is the presenting sponsor for End Summer Hunger 2009. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, contact Eric Thom at ethom@hope-link.org or 425.558.5910.

For information on how to get involved in End Summer Hunger, go to www.hope-link.org or Hopelink’s website for young philanthropists, http://youthlink.hope-link.org/.

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News From The Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods March Meeting

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA on March 17, 2009 at 7:22 am

Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods is the organization which meets 6 times a year to share information from the city and from the different neighborhoods.  Cindy Bienz and  I are the Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods representatives for the Highlands. We attended  the latest meeting last week and found out some interesting things coming up in Kirkland.

Here’s a run down of what we learned at the Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods meeting:

Kirkland downtown parking has changed. Kirkland city lots will be free during the day.  Kirkland Views had a post which outlined all the parking changes to the city lots.

Did you know there are 3000 businesses in Kirkland? Kirkland First was the next topic.  Kirkland First?  The new buy local program newly named this week is a program that will roll out later this spring to support Kirkland businesses. Ellen Miller-Wolfe, who is the Economic Development Manager for Kirkland, introduced the program.   The program is designed to decrease our carbon footprint by shopping locally.  This will be a very important program for our city.  It’s slated to be a website for any and all Kirkland businesses. Don Short, from Bridle Trails Hardware, represented Kirkland merchants and spoke about his store’s commitment to Kirkland.

Tax revenues are down in Kirkland. January’s revenues were down 19% and February’s were down 22%.  Supporting Kirkland merchants will help us all to keep the city vibrant and healthy.

Latest Hopelink News: Shona Koester from Hopelink filled us in.

  • 33% more people are using Hopelink services.
  • 51,000 pounds of food were distributed in February. 23,000 pounds of food were distributed last February.
  • 50 new walk-ins used Hopelink last month.
  • financial assistance is up 55%, $6000 of financial assistance was given out in January.
  • Food drives are always welcome.  Food supplies are often low as summer comes, so think about helping Hopelink out during that time.  Volunteers anyone?

Library renovations are ahead of schedule.

Feet First: Kari Page, Neighborhood Services Coordinator, is designing a map for Kirkland highlighting;

  • walking trails
  • farms
  • historical sites
  • heritage trees
  • parks
  • park and ride spots
  • public art
  • schools
  • rest rooms
  • coffee shops
  • grocery stores

It sounds like an exciting and fun way to map Kirkland.  It will be a map of Kirkland up close and personal!

Fourth of July parade. Fourth of July!  Believe it or not, it’s not that far away.  The theme of the parade will be red, white, and blue, and green all over.  The Green Kirkland Partnership will be the grand marshalls for the event.

Rose Hill is having an area-wide garage sale on April 25th. If you are interested in having a garage sale that day, your sale can be put on the list.  Contact me and I’ll direct to the right people.  I also have free garage sale signs if you’d like to borrow them/

May 6th- first Wednesday market

May 10th-Kirkland 1/2 marathon

May 29th-first Friday market at Juanita Beach Park

(I think I got it all, if anyone knows of anything else I should add, please let me know)

Correction: Rob Butcher from Kirkland Views emailed me to tell me the garage sale above is going to be happening in NoKirk, not Rose Hill.  Thanks Rob for the correction.

Below is the information on whom to contact for the garage sale:

“Last year we had a flyer printed up with all the participants’ addresses and a map, and they paid a few dollars each to be included on it.  If people in other neighborhoods want to do their own garage sale that wknd and possibly have their address printed on it, or just have other questions, pls contact our wonderful volunteer coordinator Virginia Woods @ birdsongblu@comcast.net”

The first person from the Highlands to contact me about borrowing my garage sale A-boards, gets them!


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It’s Volunteer Time at Seattle/Eastside’s Hopelink

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, services on February 27, 2009 at 2:13 pm

Did you hear President Obama speak the other night? I was  impressed with the direction he plans to move the country.  I like his emphasis on education, health, and energy, all areas which are critical to our country’s  future growth.    His mantra is community involvement and activism.  I couldn’t agree more.  We hope and expect government to help improve the quality of our lives, but we as individuals must do our share to help.  It’s up to us as citizens to contribute collectively to our well-being.  On that note, here’s the information from the most recent Hopelink press release asking for volunteers the needs of the Kirkland/Eastside community.

Bellevue, Wash. – Hopelink, a 38-year-old nonprofit agency helping families, senior citizens and people with disabilities in east and north King County, needs more volunteers at its centers in Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, Shoreline, Bothell and Carnation.

Hopelink relies upon volunteers for such jobs as sorting food in its food banks, helping adults learn to read or do basic math or study for the GED exams, delivering food to homebound clients, or answering phones and helping with administrative tasks. Last year, more than 1,950 volunteers donated nearly 60,000 hours to help Hopelink fulfill its mission of assisting people in need to make lasting change in their lives.

With the large-scale National Letter Carrier’s Food Drive coming up on Saturday, May 9, Hopelink will particularly need volunteers to help pack, receive, and sort food donations at area post offices and Hopelink food banks. Individuals, families and groups are invited to help with the large volume of food that the drive is expected to generate.

Hopelink continues to need new volunteers over age 16 and welcomes anyone interested to an orientation meeting to learn more about Hopelink and its many volunteer opportunities:

· Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at Hopelink’s Adult Education Department office, 15015 Main Street, Suite 206 in Kelsey Creek Plaza (across from the main Hopelink center) in Bellevue. An afternoon orientation will start promptly at 1:00 p.m. and end at 2:30 p.m. An evening orientation will start promptly at 7:00 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m.

· Thursday, March 5, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at Hopelink’s Bothell center, 18220 96th Ave. NE in Bothell.

· Wednesday, March 11, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at Hopelink’s Carnation center, 31957 Commercial Street in Carnation.

For more information, go to www.hope-link.org/takeaction/volunteer. For information on how young people between middle school and high school age can help Hopelink, please visit http://youthlink.hope-link.org/ .

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Since 1971, Hopelink has helped homeless and low income families, children, seniors and people with disabilities make lasting change in their lives. Hopelink promotes self-sufficiency by helping people meet their needs for food, shelter,

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The Cub Scouts’ Kirkland Highlands Food Drive Was a Success

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA on November 23, 2008 at 12:01 pm

kirkland cub scouts troop 550Did you help the Cub Scouts raise food for Hopelink’s food drive?  I stopped by about 12:30 and there was a car brimming with packages of food.  A half dozen scouts and their parents were energetically flagging down neighbors and collecting food.  Thanks to Cub Scout troop 550 all for your efforts!

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Volunteers Needed to Help Hopelink Give Hope to Kirkland People in Need

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA on November 21, 2008 at 2:18 pm

From my inbox, a message from :

Denise Stephens, Public Relations Specialist

Office: 425.869.2440; Cell: 206.605.6843

Email: denises@hope-link.org

Volunteers Needed to Help Hopelink Give Hope to Kirkland People in Need

Prospective volunteers comfortable communicating in English

are invited to attend orientation December 3, 2008.

Kirkland, Wash. – Hopelink relies upon volunteers to assist in fulfilling its mission of helping people in need to make lasting changes in their lives. Hopelink needs volunteer tutors with its many Adult Education programs as well as volunteers to help in its food banks and, around the holidays, in its gift rooms. The need is always more acute around the holidays, and considering the condition of our nation’s economy, Hopelink expects even more requests for assistance with food and holiday gifts this year. The gift rooms are stocked with new donated clothing, toys and other items that parents and grandparents can select as holiday gifts for the children (infant through high school age) in their lives.

Hopelink’s Kirkland center at 13013 NE 65th Street needs volunteers to help with these gift room and food bank tasks:

· Receive and sort gift room donations between Dec. 8 and Dec. 23

· Re-stock shelves in the gift room (hours vary)

· Provide “personal shopper” assistance to clients selecting holiday gifts for their children or grandchildren (hours vary)

· Act as an interpreter for clients selecting holiday gifts (English/Russian and English/Spanish volunteer interpreters are particularly needed)

· Receive and sort food bank donations (hours vary)

· Drive to deliver food to home-bound clients

Additionally, Hopelink’s Adult Education department needs volunteers to:

· help adults learn basic reading, writing or math skills or earn a General Education Development (GED) diploma

· assist non-native English speakers to improve their English skills

· teach healthy living on a budget, money management and computer skills including job searching online and resume-writing

· oversee the children of parents who are enrolled in various Hopelink classes

Training for all volunteer positions is provided. Volunteers must be comfortable communicating in English; proficiency in a second language (Spanish, Russian, Mandarin, Arabic) is particularly helpful.

Learn more about volunteering at one of two Hopelink volunteer orientation meetings on Wednesday, December 3, 2008. Orientations are presented in English. They will be held at Hopelink’s Adult Education Department office, 15015 Main Street, Suite 206 in Kelsey Creek Plaza (across from the main Hopelink center) in Bellevue, starting promptly at 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., and repeated starting promptly at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Hopelink’s volunteer coordinator, Sheila Sloan-Evans, at 425.869.6066 or volunteer@hope-link.org.

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Since 1971, Hopelink has helped homeless and low income families, children, seniors and people with disabilities make lasting change in their lives. Hopelink promotes self-sufficiency by helping people meet their needs for food, shelter, homelessness prevention, family development, transportation and adult literacy. Through Hopelink’s Adult Education classes and services, the agency provides a crucial element in self-sufficiency, helping adults improve their family’s safety, stability and security. For more information on Hopelink and its services, call 425.869.6000 or visit www.hope-link.org.

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