EVENTS HAPPENING IN YOUR AREA.
Partnership Spotlight: Habitat for humanity tri-county partners
“When the homeowner gets to see their home when it’s all completed, they look in the cupboard and the fridge, and they are amazed at how much food is inside,” said Ruth Ann Thompson, a member of the Family Services Team at Habitat for Humanity Tri-County Partners. She was referring to Habitat for Humanity’s partnership with Second Harvest, where Second Harvest stocks the shelves and refrigerator of a newly completed Habitat home with food.
“It’s quite stressful for the families, so any way we can make it an easier transition for them is very much worth our effort,” she said.
The Habitat for Humanity Tri-County Partners provides affordable housing for low-income families in Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla Counties. If a low-income family meets the qualifying requirements and selection criteria, they can partner with Habitat for Humanity to build a home. “A lot of people think the homes are basically free. That’s not how Habitat works,” explained Ruth Ann. “We look at the need, their willingness to partner and their ability to pay. We make sure their income meets the HUD requirements for low-income families. They are required to pay closing costs and to put in 500 hours of sweat equity.”
For families that qualify, going through the homeownership process for the first time can be challenging. The process usually takes 15 to 18 months, and Habitat recognized a need for outside support during the final stages. To ensure their families get off to a good start in their new home, Habitat partnered with Second Harvest to help alleviate stress for their new homeowners. Since 2010, Second Harvest has partnered with Habitat for Humanity for 92 homes, providing food for more than 400 children and 250 adults in Southeastern Washington.
“We really appreciate Second Harvest stepping up at the end when it’s stressful for them after the closing and they’re getting their apartment, or wherever they’re living, packed up and ready to move,” said Ruth Ann. “To know that when they walk into that home there is food available has been a big help to them.”
Feed. Nourish. Build. – Jun 9
Feed. Nourish. Build. It’s Second Harvest’s work and your impact.
Our team spent time recently more clearly defining how our hunger-relief mission shows up in local neighborhoods because of support from people like you. We developed a new framework for us to talk about the important work we do every day and how the different areas of our work overlap.
The result? Feed. Nourish. Build. Three pillars of our vital work. All are connected, and each is important and contributes to the whole.
Kids Summer Cooking Classes – Jun 2
So many life skills are learned in the kitchen — counting, following directions, teamwork, science, budgeting both time and money, problem-solving, creativity, and more! This is why Second Harvest is passionate about providing kids with the opportunity to build confidence in the kitchen. We’re excited to host two great kids cooking camps this summer in The Kitchen at Second Harvest.
Agency Spotlight: Volunteers of America – May 26
Volunteers of America’s partnership with Second Harvest is an essential part of the services offered at their locations: Hope House, Hope House Apartments and The Marilee Apartments. While the Volunteers of America provide support through social services and case management, Second Harvest focuses on providing food that is distributed daily as meals and groceries to their clients.
Feeding Eastern Washington and North Idaho
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