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Annual School Supply Distribution Sees Huge Response

September 10, 2020


Mt. Si Lutheran Church (MSLC), in partnership with the Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank (SVFB), held their annual distribution of school supplies September 1 – 3rd. All families who needed supplies were welcome.
561 bags of supplies were handed out, double the amount given last year. MSLC and SVFB attribute the large response in part to registration not being required this year. “We removed a major barrier,” said SVFB Executive Director Nikki Lloyd. “We were able to reach so many more kids and families who needed supplies!”

This is not the first time there have been joint efforts between these two community organizations to help families in need. "Mt Si Lutheran has partnered with the SVFB in the annual distribution of school supplies for many years,” said MSLC Pastor Krista. “This year we were approached by the SVFB to take on the additional role of being the distribution site given a need to adjust how we operate this year. Janey Benson from Mt. Si Lutheran offered critical leadership to make this event such a success. Mt Si continues to value our long-standing partnership with the SVFB."
SVFB’s Executive Director, Nikki Lloyd, also values their relationship with MSLC. “I am just so appreciative of this partnership. From the school supply distribution to the community garden, Mt. Si Lutheran is an incredible group of neighbors helping neighbors,” Lloyd said. “We didn’t have the capacity to register and distribute the supplies this year and MSLC really stepped in and saved the day! We are so delighted and amazed by the epic success of this program. “


Supplies for preschool through grade 12 were given out, including the often cost-prohibitive batteries required for the school-issued styluses used by upper grades. Much of it was donated through the Love Snoqualmie Valley Give and Go event and community members. “We are grateful to those who contributed school supplies during the Love Snoqualmie Valley Give and Go event and to our members who generously support this event each year,” said Pastor Krista. The event wouldn’t have been possible without dedicated volunteers to help safely distribute the
supplies during COVID. SVFB board member and Mt. Si High School student Logan Garwood recruited several high school students through ASB to assist. “We are very grateful for any opportunity to help our community in these unprecedented times. We recognize we are needed now more than ever. Our students can’t wait to help more in the future! “Garwood said.