||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION |||
Over the past two weeks, we were able to mobilize resources to mitigate local impacts of the Government Shutdown, ensuring that Orcas residents who did not receive their SNAP benefits had the ability to purchase food for their families. Community members came together to support food access in a variety of ways. A local baseball team held a bake sale, people gave generously to the Community Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and directly to the Orcas Community Resource Center (OCRC) to support food access. Together, we filled the gap for every household that reached out to OCRC for assistance in the past two weeks. Thank you, Orcas, for stepping up and showing up to take care of your neighbors once again.
Our work is magnified when we work together, and there are more opportunities to do so ahead. Our collective giving campaign Holiday GiveOrcas is coming up December 2 -11. This year’s campaign will feature organizations focused on providing critical needs including food, housing, healthcare, and education, as well as animals and the environment, arts and culture, senior services and other resources that support the community we all love.
To kick off this year’s campaign, OICF is inviting the community to a Holiday Party at Odd Fellows Hall on Tuesday, December 2 from 4-6pm. All are welcome to mix, mingle, craft, and learn about the nonprofits taking part in Holiday GiveOrcas. Light refreshments, kids’ art activities, games, music, and lots of holiday cheer will be provided. Please mark your calendar and come celebrate the spirit of giving on Orcas!
In the meantime, we invite you to prepare for the Winter Solstice Luminary Parade by joining a luminary-making workshop on Sunday, November 23, at Odd Fellows Hall, led by Brook Meinhardt. The workshop is free and family friendly, with all supplies provided! The Winter Solstice Parade will begin at 5pm at the corner of Haven Road and Main Street on Sunday December 21st.
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