Food Bank fundraiser aims at erasing hunger | Helpline House | April 15

Helpline House’s 86 HUNGER! event is the perfect way to spring into action while helping support neighbors in need, by raising funds for our Food Bank. The event is scheduled from 7-10 p.m. Saturday, April 30 at IslandWood. Tickets are $86 per person and RSVPs are needed by April 20.

Join us for fun, music and dancing, savories and sweets, and a keynote speech by Bainbridge Island chef Greg Atkinson (at Canlis restaurant in Seattle and IslandWood).

Like many social service organizations, Helpline House has been hard hit with funding cuts by federal, state and city governments. We are using a logo developed by the Greater Chicago Food Bank, which is letting us use it gratis. 86 Hunger! is an old restaurant term, meaning an item is no longer on the menu.

We want to nix hunger off the table in our community, and we ask you to join us in our effort. Local business sponsorships are underwriting the event so all ticket proceeds and donations go directly to our Food Bank.

The best way to help our Food Bank is with monetary donations, as bulk purchases can then be negotiated at a substantially better price per item. Please see www.helplinehouse.org to view and print the invite and RSVP, or call 842-7621 to reserve your place at this fun event.

Volunteer Week

This is National Volunteer Week and Helpline House honors three very special volunteers who will be the recipients of the Presidential Award for Volunteerism.

The Council on Service and Civic Participation was established in 2003 to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers make in our communities and to encourage more people to serve. This award program was created to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.

Honorees will receive a congratulatory letter from President Obama, a personalized certificate of achievement, and a Volunteer Service Award lapel pin.

Bainbridge volunteer Jane Harrington will be honored with the President’s Call to Service Award for lifetime achievement in volunteerism at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 26 at Helpline House. Students Collin and Colby Lea will be honored with student achievement in volunteerism at 4 p.m. April 29.

These three volunteers have contributed significant hours to Helpline House and we are all inspired by their ethics and sense of heart and community, and their respectfulness in helping their neighbors. We welcome you to come by and honor them with us.

Our Food Bank functions so well because of the wealth of volunteers who serve.

Volunteer Manager Marilyn Gremse states that nearly 50 volunteers contribute 200 or more hours in Food Bank affiliated functions.

Robin Denis is a member of the Helpline House Board of Directors.

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In their own words

Why islanders sought Helpline House assistance:

• Veterans assistance

• About to lose job due to ongoing illness

• Information on mental health resources

• Need to supplement income to care for disabled child

• Lost my savings; can’t meet monthly living expenses

• No job, need to move, relationship ending, anxiety