Reporter Staff
The city of Bellevue is stepping up efforts to help the needy as an ailing national economy begins to affect Eastsiders.
Local human service providers are reporting a dramatic increase in requests for food assistance, and residents have been lining up at the Crossroads Mini City Hall for utility-tax rebates.
Both situations indicate that community donations are in high demand.
The city is responding with two local drives as the Holiday Season approaches.
FOOD DRIVE
The Bellevue Parks and Community Services Department is hosting its annual food drive through Dec. 15, and will collect food at the following sites:
• City Hall, 450 110th Ave. NE
• Crossroads Mini City Hall, 15600 NE Eighth St.
• Bellevue Aquatic Center, 601 143rd Ave. NE
• Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main St.
• Bellevue Golf Course, 5450 140th Ave. NE
• Bellevue Youth Theatre, 16661 Northup Way
• Crossroads Community Center, 16000 NE 10th St.
• Highland Community Center, 14224 Bel-Red Rd.
• Kelsey Creek Farm Park, 410-130th Pl. SE
• North Bellevue Community Center, 4063 148th Ave. NE
• Northwest Arts Center, 9825 NE 24th St.
• Parks Resource Management, 16023 NE Eighth St.
• Robinswood Tennis Center, 2400 151st Pl. SE
• South Bellevue Community Center, 14509 SE Newport Way
Volunteers at the Crossroads Community Center will sort and distribute the donated food to assistance programs serving Bellevue residents.
Nearly 20 percent of children in the Bellevue School District qualify for free and reduced-cost meal assistance – an indicator of how many people could benefit from help.
Many of the people served by local food banks are among the working poor, with 62 percent reporting a steady source of income.
HOLIDAY PARTY DRIVE
More than 1,500 Bellevue families are expected at the Crossroads Community Center annual holiday party in December, where gifts and food will be available to those in need.
The city is preparing for the event with an early launch of its annual toy and food drive, collecting new, unwrapped toys, books, games, gift certificates and sports equipment for young people of all ages, as well as monetary donations that staff can use to purchase needed items.
Collections will continue through Dec. 13 at the Crossroads Community Center, located at 16000 Northeast 10th Street. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
Suggested donations include plush animals, developmental toys and gift cards for infants; balls, arts and crafts kits, toy automobiles and dolls for ages 3-12; and gift certificates to clothing, restaurants, malls and music stores are good for teens.
Food donations are also needed to help families through the holiday months.
Contact Crossroads Community Center community services supervisor Vicki Drake at (425) 452-4874 for additional information about donations and the holiday celebration.
