Kent City Council designates 1^st Annual Kent Turkey Challenge
Hopes of feeding 1,500 families

Kent City Council will proclaim Oct. 24 through Nov. 17 as the 1st Annual Kent Turkey Challenge.

 The donation drive challenges Kent businesses to compete against each other to collect the most turkeys and canned goods to donate to the Kent Food Bank.

“This year we learned the Kent Food Bank would not be receiving the funding they relied on to give our families a memorable Thanksgiving meal,” explained Torklift Central Vice President Jack Kay. “They feed up to 1,500 families for the Thanksgiving holiday.”

 To help the food bank meet the need, we are challenging all businesses in Kent to collect canned goods and turkeys, he explained. On Oct. 24, we are delivering donation boxes to businesses who would like to participate.

Each business will also get paper turkeys. An employee or customer of that business can purchase a paper turkey for $10. That money will be used to buy one turkey for the food bank. The paper turkey will have the donator’s name written on it and it can be posted in the business.

Each Friday Torklift Central employees will contact participating businesses to find out how many paper turkeys they have sold. All participating businesses will be featured on www.torkliftcentral.com/turkey and the progress of the number of paper turkeys sold will also be tracked there. The Web page will go live on Oct. 17.

“We are also accepting corporate sponsorship of the program,” Kay said. “Those sponsors will be featured on our Web site too. At the end of the challenge, we will deliver the turkeys and canned goods to the food bank and announce the winner. Help us gather 1,500 turkeys for the food bank. If we come together as a community, we can ensure a happy Thanksgiving for our local families.”

For more information or to participate, call Candice Boutilier at 253-299-0076.

Suggested donations include:

• Canned meats and fish (e.g., tuna)
• Canned soup
• Juice
• Pasta
• Vegetables
• Cereal and rice

You can also give online at Food Lifeline or mail a donation to Food Lifeline, ATTN:  Stamp, 1702 NE 150th St., Shoreline, WA  98155. 95% of each donation goes toward feeding hungry people. Every $1 feeds a family of 4.

Food or Rent? Could You Choose?  42% of the people Food Lifeline serves had to make this difficult choice.

National Partners:

USPS Priority Mail
Campbell’s
ValPak
United Way
AFL-CIO Feeding America

Allied Waste Services of Kent is sponsoring a holiday toy drive from November 30 through December 23. Here are the details, provided by Kent Meridian SeaTac Disposal.

Allied Waste Services of Kent has partnered up with the Kent Fire Department for the “Toys for Joy” toy drive.

Where to donate: Allied Waste, 22010 76^th Ave. S., Kent or Any Kent Fire Station

What to donate: New Unwrapped Toys for children, ages birth to 12

When to donate: November 30^th through December 23^rd

Once the toys collected are wrapped, a caravan consisting of Kent Fire Department personnel and Santa will deliver the toys to the Kent Food Bank for distribution to families in need.

Thank you for supporting our community!

Customer Service
Allied Waste Services of Kent
22010 76th Ave S
Kent, WA 98032
Phone: 206.682.9735

Kent, Washington, November 30, 2009

After the welcoming ceremony and festive holiday music, Santa and Mrs. Claus held court at Kent Station’s Hip Santa House to hear holiday wishes and to determine who will pass Santa’s patented “naughty or nice” test. The happy holiday couple is available from November 28 through December (see website for specific hours). All ages are welcome, even if you’ve been naughtier than nice. Santa will also make a special appearance in the holiday parade during Winterfest 2009:  A Holly Jolly Day in Kent, scheduled for Saturday, December 5.

In addition, Kent Station shoppers, guests and well-behaved pets can have their pictures taken with Santa. With photo packages priced between $10 and $40, prints and digital photos are affordable and make great gifts. For an additional discount, visitors may donate a nonperishable food item or a new, unwrapped toy for the Kent Food Bank. Proceeds from the photo packages will also be donated to the Kent Food Bank.

“We encourage shoppers and families to come out to enjoy a little holiday spirit, Kent Station-style,” general manager John Hinds said. “Our Santa house is an affordable way to spend time with friends and family while benefiting our community.”

Last year, Kent Station and its shoppers donated over 500 pounds of food, 300 toys and $1,500 to Kent Food Bank families. Santa welcomes visits to his “hip house,” and Kent Station welcomes toy and food donations for the Kent Food Bank. This year’s event is proudly sponsored by BECU, MultiCare Kent Clinic and Fox Electric Co.

For more information including Santa’s hours and photo packages, prices and pick-up information, visit the Kent Station website at www.kentstation.com.

Located on 18 acres in the heart of downtown Kent, Kent Station is an urban village developed by Seattle-based Tarragon Development Company. The 470,000 sq. ft., mixed-use development features locally-owned and national retail stores, professional office space, and dining and entertainment, including a 14-screen AMC Theatres Cineplex and a branch campus of Green River Community College. Shop local this Christmas, shop Kent Station.

• Baby food
• Baby formula
• Diapers (sizes 1-2 and training sizes)
• Baby bottles
• Baby wipes

Cash or checks are also graciously accepted at the branch and should be made out to the Kent Food Bank.

The Kent branch of HomeStreet Bank is located in downtown Kent at 505 W. Harrison St., Kent, WA 98032, just down the street from the Kent Food Bank.

For more information on the baby food drive, call the Kent Food Bank at 253-520-3550 or HomeStreet Bank at 253-373-9979.

[Thanks to HomeStreet Bank for providing this information to iLoveKent.net]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Merina Hanson, Kent Housing and Human Service
253-856-5077
mhanson@ci.kent.wa.us

Human Services Commission Launches  “iCan” Awareness Campaign

KENT, Wash. – May 1, 2009 - iCan…get help, provide help, and inspire others.  These actions are just a few of the possibilities Kent’s Human Services Commission hopes residents will take to heart with the launch of its “iCan” Campaign.

“Given these difficult financial times, many people are finding themselves in circumstances they’ve never imagined.  One day they’re working and the next, they’ve been laid off, with no idea of the resources available to them or where to turn for help,” says Dini Duclos, Commissioner and CEO of Kent’s Multi-Service Center, the primary provider of emergency services for Kent residents.

“Many people aren’t aware there is help for those struggling with utility bills, mortgage payments or other necessities.  We need to increase awareness of these resources,” Duclos said.

Duclos says the Commission is also hearing from more and more people who want to offer help of some kind.  “They’re seeing their friends and neighbors struggling and want to do something, but aren’t sure the best way to do that.”

Leveraging residents’ heightened interest in helping others, the Commission is increasing its efforts to raise awareness about the services available in Kent and ways in which people can lend a hand.

According to Duclos, there are numerous ways people can help without donating money.  “Just buying an additional canned item each time you go to the grocery store can make a big impact at the Food Bank, or donating those “free with purchase” sample cosmetics or toiletries from hotel stays to a women’s employment organization is very appreciated. We intend to highlight these small things that can make a huge difference,” Duclos said.

“iCan” will feature a different topic each month utilizing a variety of communication venues including its new Website www.Kent-iCan.com.  Inspirational stories of individuals helping others will also be highlighted.

Parties interested in joining the campaign effort are encouraged to contact Kent Housing and Human Services at 253-856-5077.

Kent’s Human Services Commission is the focal point for addressing human service needs in Kent. The Commission not only serves as the formal mechanism for review of human service issues and funding applications, but also takes an active part in promoting community awareness and education on human service issues.

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According to the organization’s website, about 20% of the salon’s profits will be donated to local charities including the Kent Food Bank, World Vision, WWEE, Katherine’s House and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Any remaining profits will be set aside for community outreach and future expansion.

So the next time you want to splurge on a new look, consider Humanity and do something nice for others as well.

Humanity
109 2nd Ave. South
Kent, WA  98032
(253) 981-4182

9 am – Noon: Holly Jolly Breakfast at Maggie’s on Meeker (they have delicious food!)
10 am – 6 pm: Holiday Shopping & Dining
11 am: Holly Jolly One Mile Walk with Mayor Suzette Cooke & Kent4Health
11 am – 9 pm: Morford Family Holiday Carousel
12 – 3 pm: Meet the Kent Fire Dept.
1 – 5 pm: Holly Jolly Horse Drawn Carriage free with Kent Food Bank donation
2 pm: Kids ‘n Kritters Pet Walk
4 pm: Holiday Reading at the Kent Public Library
4:30 – 6:30 pm: Kent Lion’s Parade, Santa’s Arrival, Bike Giveaway, Annual Tree Lighting

Share your Holly Jolly spirit this holiday season with a food or monetary donation to the Kent Food Bank.