Elise’s Story

Elise moved to Bellevue with her family when she was in middle school. She spoke no English. She was smart and hard-working and by the time she reached high school she had graduated out of her ESL classes. As a senior at Sammamish High School, Elise learned about the Overlake Service League college scholarship program. … Read Now

School Snacks for Success

Healthy school snacks support student success in the classroom and beyond.

Healthy school snacks are one of the most frequent requests we receive from the Bellevue School District. Some days, Stevenson Elementary School’s Family Connections Center is overwhelmed with requests for snacks and the cupboards are bare. In one month, they received 26 requests for snacks from 19 teachers. Kids who don’t eat breakfast have a … Read Now

More Than Gifts – Holiday Adopt-A-Family 2016

The energy in the lobby of First United Methodist Church is palpable – even at 7 a.m. on the Tuesday before Christmas. Volunteers armed with carts wait expectantly for sponsors to arrive so they can help unload their cars and deliver gifts to one of 283 folding chairs marked with a name and a number. … Read Now

Five Ways to Get Your Kids Involved in Giving Back

Kids who volunteer benefit in many ways. In addition to having fun, volunteering enhances development, promotes a healthy lifestyle choices, teaches social responsibility, creates a lifelong ethic of service and improves the community. We are thrilled to have the continued support of several generations working side-by-side to support friends and neighbors in need. Here are five … Read Now

Soccer Team Basic Needs Drive

Girls U11 Soccer Team basic needs drive

Huge thanks to the Girls U11 Soccer Team for their basic needs drive that helped replenish our pantry shelves with 37 bottles of shampoo and 206 pairs of socks. Both of these items are basic needs that can’t be purchased with food stamps. Thanks, girls – you rock! Learn how to host your own basic … Read Now