Third Annual Dine Out and Rethink the Holiday

During this economic storm of uncertainty, more and more Skagit County residents are, for the first time in their lives, finding themselves in need of a “hand up.” Working together, we can stabilize families, reduce hunger and homelessness, create lives of hope, and strengthen the bonds of community.

The need is staggering. Last year we served over 33,000 people in this community, an astounding 20% increase from the year before. Sadly, homelessness and hunger are also alarmingly commonplace in Skagit County:

· This year’s homeless count found that Skagit County again has the HIGHEST homeless population per capita in the State of Washington.

· One-fourth of our low-income citizens’ report going hungry from lack of food, and 20% of Skagit County households, made up of our friends and neighbors, rely on area food banks to feed their families.

But there’s a solution. This holiday season, we at Skagit County Community Action want to make it easy for you to partner with us as we assist parents and children who need food and a warm place to live – all year round. Please consider these three easy ways you can partner with us this holiday season:

“Rethink the Holidays” by sending in your gift that will help feed and care for our homeless and hungry friends and neighbors in Skagit county.

“Dine Out for the Homeless and Hungry” is an easy way to alleviate local hunger and homelessness, simply by going out to eat on December 8, 2009 at your favorite participating restaurant listed on the enclosed flyer. That’s all! These restaurants in turn donate a portion of their proceeds to us.

If eating out is not an option, we invite you to “dine in” instead – and consider using the money saved by eating at home to make a generous gift.

Either way you choose to donate, your gift will go towards alleviating homelessness and hunger in our community. We want to thank you in advance for your gift this holiday season. Together we can weather this storm, and make a lasting difference.