Eastridge Church, food and clothing bank work to get kids ready for school

Published 1:15 pm Friday, August 15, 2014

By Abigail Student

Special to the Reporter

Issaquah residents saw a powerful partnership at work as Eastridge Church collaborated with the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank to host its second annual backpack giveaway for its Tools4Schools program on Saturday.

The church boomed with exciting music and positive energy from the volunteer staff with families easily able navigate the many free activities and services available to them in addition to the backpack giveaway. Among these services were a health and wellness fair, dental screenings and haircuts.

Eastridge Church also hosted a free barbecue lunch and kids activities. For kids, there were inflatable toys, face painting and other traditional carnival games.

Families were asked to register for backpacks prior to attending. However, in an effort to ensure that Issaquah children have a “stress-free start to their school year,” the church was fully stocked with backpacks for unexpected attendees.

“We pack extra to ensure there’s more selection for those that come later,” said Rebecca Rayner, Issaquah Food Bank program coordinator.

But they’re not just talking about a few extra.

Rayner reported approximately 600 pre-registered attendees and 1,100 backpacks ready for giveaway.

More seemed to be the theme this year, as Community Engagement Director Lisette Murrell described the three new additions since the church hosted the event last year.

“The three new additions are the Library2Go, Seamar Vision Screening and the Department of Health and Social Services mobile van,” said Murrell.

Eastridge Church was honored to partner with the Issaquah Food Bank, according to Executive Pastor Larry Murrell.

“My favorite part of this event is seeing how organizations can come together to meet a need in the community.”

Abigail Student is a student at Washing State University. She lives in Sammamish.