City Of Mercer Island issued the following announcement on Nov. 12.
For many years, the City’s Youth and Family Services Department (YFS) has operated a Winter Holiday Gift program for families experiencing economic insecurity on the Island, by collecting gifts and funds so that no child would celebrate their family’s winter holiday without a gift or a special holiday meal. Due to the economic impacts of the current pandemic, the need is greater than ever, just as the demand on the City’s Food Pantry has also doubled.
This season the Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Foundation has graciously stepped in to help gather funding for the program – this task has suffered due to pandemic-related staffing cuts in the spring.
The Winter Holiday Gift program supports approximately 50 families on Mercer Island experiencing economic insecurity, including 90 children under the age of 18 within those families; YFS seeks an additional $13,000 to serve all families.
To donate online, please visit www.miyfs.org; personal checks made out to the MIYFS Foundation can be deposited (in an envelope) in the secure white lockbox in the City Hall parking lot or mailed to 2040 84th Ave SE, Mercer Island 98040. Unfortunately, YFS cannot accept pre-purchased gifts or food items this year, due to the pandemic. Any excess funds collected will be directed to the City’s Food Pantry, which expects higher demand to continue through summer 2021.
Your tax-deductible donations will ensure that every child and family on the Island can experience delight and a sense of normalcy in celebrating their holiday tradition during these unprecedented times. Thank you!
Original source can be found here.
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