We’re fortunate to live in a community where there are many resources for families struggling to make ends meet. While Bellevue LifeSpring isn’t the only organization serving Bellevue’s 3,600+ children living in poverty, we are unique in several ways. In this season of spring luncheons, learn how you help Bellevue LifeSpring stand out from the crowd.
1. 100+ Years in Bellevue!
Bellevue LifeSpring was founded in 1911 by a group of women in Hunts Point. As the first nonprofit in Bellevue, Bellevue LifeSpring has been providing stabilizing resources to those in need for over a century. In the early years, members provided seeds, farming equipment and even goats for milk so struggling families could support themselves. Today, Bellevue LifeSpring provides food, clothing, education and emergency assistance to help families get back on their feet.
2. Live local, give local.
Since the beginning, Bellevue LifeSpring has been built on neighbors helping neighbors. Your support allows us to focus on students living in poverty right here in the Bellevue School District. We’re a Bellevue organization, supported by the Bellevue community, providing opportunities and resources for Bellevue children and their families. The Step Up to the Plate Benefit Luncheon is just one of the many opportunities for you to learn more about how you can invest in your community.
3. No government funding, EVER.
For us, local also means that we’re supported by individuals, foundations and community partners like you that believe in our mission and our vision for Bellevue’s kids. By not accepting government funding, we are able to serve families whose financial situations may have improved just enough to make them ineligible for other forms of government assistance. Often, these “gray area” families are just one crisis away from slipping back into poverty. Thanks to support from private donors like you, we’re able to offer support when other organizations cannot.
4. Grassroots support.
The backbone of Bellevue LifeSpring is our circle members, individuals who have devoted countless hours and energy to making Bellevue LifeSpring who it is today. They volunteer, donate and act as ambassadors in the community. Bellevue LifeSpring has over 200 members, including more than 40 life members, each of whom has given more than 25 years of service to their community. Last year, circle members hosted 50 tables at our Step Up to the Plate Benefit Luncheon, introducing nearly 500 individuals to Bellevue LifeSpring’s work in the community.
5. Addressing unmet needs.
Your support of Bellevue LifeSpring allows us to serve unique needs in Bellevue schools not met by other local organizations. The Breaktime-Mealtime™ program provides vital nutrition for students living in poverty during school breaks, when they don’t receive free and reduced-price meals through school. Bellevue LifeSpring also gives high school students scholarships to recover credit through online and summer school classes. Currently, Bellevue LifeSpring is the only organization serving these needs in the Bellevue School District.
6. Putting the “fun” in fundraiser!
What other luncheon will invite you to sip wine and go thrifting? Before the main program at Step Up to the Plate, you can socialize with friends and enjoy a glass of wine while browsing our pop-up thrift shop. You can support Bellevue kids year-round by shopping and donating at our retail thrift store, Thrift Culture, located on the third floor of Bellevue Square.
Bellevue LifeSpring is unique because of your support. We are proud to be part of a network of community partners that work together to serve the needs of Bellevue children and their families. Learn more about the unique role that we play in the community at our annual Step Up to the Plate Benefit Luncheon Thursday, March 22nd at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. Register today!
