Pathways for Women YWCA in Lynnwood is on a mission.
Last year, during the holiday season, they had to turn down 1,086 children because they couldn’t provide them with toys.
“We can’t let that happen again,” said Luanne Kunz, community resource coordinator for Pathways, which serves all of South Snohomish County.
So this year they’re hoping they will surpass their goal with the South County Holiday Toy Shop and the agency’s ongoing Adopt a Family program. It will take a little help from their ongoing friends such as the Lynnwood Cycle Barn, Bon Macy’s, the Family Support Center, the Ladies of Harley, to name a few – and from those looking for places to help in the community.
As it stands for Christmas and other December holidays right now there are 90 families signed up in need only 46 of them are sponsored, Kunz said.
This lack of sponsors is also the case for Thanksgiving, she said.
Adopt a Family includes extremely low income families served by Pathways, said its housing director Mary Anne Dillon.
Pathways for Women YWCA is a non-profit organization which serves about 110 families, mostly single mothers and their children which have been displaced because of a domestic violence situation in South Snohomish County. But Pathways also serves some “intact” mother/father families as well with counseling, transition assistance and housing, Dillon said.
And, those wanting to donate Thanksgiving and/or holiday meals to the general public in need in their areas should contact their local foodbank.
“It seems to be a pinch for everyone this year – that may be why we don’t have as many sponsors,” Dillon said, “but the families we serve, feel the pinch even more – so much so they’ll go without a Thanksgiving or holiday meal at all.”
According to Kunz, the cost of adopting a family from Pathways is about $100 per family.
“This amount usually covers the food and gifts,” Kunz said, “about $50 for food and about $35 per person for gifts.”
When adopting a family, individuals, businesses or groups could ask for a family profile which would list the food, dietary needs of members of the family and would include gift wish lists of the members as well. At times the profile will specify a need for a pet too.
That way sponsors can go shopping themselves for a specific family. However, Kunz added, picking a family and going shopping yourself isn’t mandatory with sponsoring, money can be donated to a family and Pathways would do the shopping for you and/or gather gift cards to a variety of area stores.
The one-day South County Holiday Toy Shop event is Dec. 17.
The toy store is available to qualified community members who can shop for new gifts for free for the youngsters in their lives.
Kunz said what the toy shop needs to be a success this year is brand new toys from birth to age 18.
There will also be a separate room for stocking stuffers, she said. Adding, the toy shop could also use donations of wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, name tags and tissue paper.
Some gift ideas for teenagers, Kunz said, are gift cards for gas, pizza, fast food, music CDs and/or movies.
Child care will also be available so parents can shop with no distractions and then have their items gift wrapped there as well. Santa Claus is also expected to visit.
Those interested in the toy store should sign up at either the Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace or Edmonds food bank. Edmonds has planned a separate toy store event in that city.
“Any overflow from the Edmonds toy store will be allowed to shop for free at the South County store, Kunz added.
Along with South Snohomish County food banks, Food Lifeline in Shoreline, which serves all area food banks, and North Helpline in Lake City which serves Lake Forest Park and Shoreline are also organized for the holidays.
Food Lifeline has a plan to increase small donations.
According to Leslie Kelly, spokesperson for Food Lifeline, a gift to Food Lifeline of $1 can be leveraged into six meals for hungry people.
Check out the “How to help” box located above this article for more information on the charities mentioned here.
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