Could your kids (or children you know) use more food this summer? We want to let you know about  the free Summer Meals Program. 

The Summer Meals Program is one of the federal nutrition programs that provides free meals and snacks to children and teens during the summer months (June through August). Summer Meals, also known as Summer Sack Lunch, is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and was established in 1968 to respond to growing research that correlated a child’s nutrition with academic success and concerns about the lack of nutrition resources for children during the summer months. There are over 100 Summer meal sites in King County, located in schools, parks, recreation centers, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and camps. In addition to meals, many sites provide fun activities for kids. Sites may be open from June through August, depending on your community.

All kids and teens (18 years old and younger) are eligible for the program. No proof of income, address or citizenship is ever required.

To find the location and time of Summer Meals sites nearest you,

Call the Family Food Hotline 1-888-4-FOOD-WA (1-888-436-6392) Monday through Friday between 8 am and 5:30 pm or visit www.ParentHelp123.org to find your Summer Meals sites online.

Community Wellness Festival: Saturday 6/15

Hi. If you or someone you know are looking for free health services or something fun to do on Saturday, we want to let you know about the Community Wellness Festival at Rainier Community Center.

Come and be part of a life-saving and fun event, The Community Wellness Festival, this Saturday, June 15th at Rainier Community Center . Registration opens at 9:30, and from 10:30-12:00 volunteers will be delivering life-saving breast cancer information door to door. From 11:30-2:00 is the health fair with free health screenings and information, door prizes, food, entertainment, face painting, and more. It’s open to the entire community. Free diabetes and blood pressure screenings. Meet Casper the Colon, and guest speaker Dr. Lupe Salazar. Plus free refreshments and door prizes. Sponsored by Cierra Sisters, Seattle Parks and Recreation, and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Community Wellness Festival
Saturday, June 15
Health Fair 11:30-2:00
Rainier Community Center
4600 48th Ave. South
Seattle, WA 98178

For more information call 206-505-9194 or email cierra_sisters@hotmail.com

Take care!

Free Tenant Rights Workshop 6/10

Want to know more about your rights as a renter? Wondering how to get your deposit back or request a repair? Would you like to know how the new changes in the laws impact renters?

Solid Ground Tenant Counselors are hosting a FREE Rent Smart Workshop for the community on Monday, June 10, 4:30pm-6:30pm, in Federal Way at the Multi-Service Center Conference Room (1200 S. 336th, Federal Way). They will provide information about the landlord-tenant laws in Washington State and discuss the laws and ordinances that apply throughout the housing search process, move-in, during tenancy, move-out and eviction. Bring your questions!

Since there is no agency that enforces the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act in our state, it is largely up to tenants to understand the laws and know their rights in order to take appropriate action to effectively enforce them. They will talk about some tips and best practices for renters to help you assert your rights and have a successful tenancy – whether you are signing a rental agreement, requesting repairs or have questions about your privacy rights.

Especially with recent changes and additions to the laws, challenging situations can arise for tenants. For example, the laws around tenant screening changed in 2012 and 2013, requiring landlords to provide written notice of their screening criteria before they screen a tenant that has applied for housing (see our Tenant Tip from March 2012 for more information). If a tenant is unaware of this law or the changes, they could be unfairly denied housing without knowing why. There are remedies available to tenants if a landlord is not complying with the laws, but tenants have to know those remedies are available in order to use them. Knowing the laws and what steps to take, tenants can take action to correct the problem.

If you would to attend the workshop, please RSVP to the Solid Ground Tenant Services Workshop & Advocacy Line at 206.694.6748 or email tenantwa@solid-ground.org.

Rent Smart Workshop
Monday June 10th
4:30-6:30 pm
Multi-Service Center, Conference Room
1200 S. 336th St.
Federal Way, WA 98003.
Buses 182, 402 and 500 will take you there.

For more information, visit the website solid-ground.org/Tenant or call 206.694.6748.

South King County Stand Down & Veteran Families Resource Fair 6/8

If you or someone you know are a veteran, we want to let you know about the first annual South King County Stand Down & Veteran Families Resource Fair this Saturday, June 8th at Green River Community College (in Auburn).

This event supports Veterans from all backgrounds; including at-risk and homeless veterans, military & Veteran families by providing resources and services such as employment & vocational resources and referrals, housing services, legal service referrals, medical and dental assistance, lunch, and other social and human services. The goal is to reach those veterans who have stumbled and are in need of assistance to get back on their feet. Part of this effort will be to have female-veteran specific section that will focus on resources for women veterans. FREE services & referrals include:

VA benefit and claims assistance
Medical / Dental
Housing assistance
Employment & Vocational resources and referrals
Individual and Family Counseling resources
Childcare
Financial and rent assistance
Legal Service Referrals
Haircuts
Clothing
Hot meal and food to take with you
Plus more!

South King County Stand Down & Veteran Families Resource Fair
Saturday, June 8th
9:00am - 3:00pm
Green River Community College (in Auburn)
12401 SE 320th St
Auburn, WA 98092

Green River Community College is easily accessible by Metro Bus 181. Or by State Route 18.
For more info and a list of service providers visit www.SouthKingCountyStanddown.org  or call 206.802.5578.