FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Holiday Gifts Needed For Homeless Youth

Seattle, Washington – November 15, 2010 – Teen Feed, a nonprofit serving homeless youth in Seattle’s University District, is seeking donations of holiday gifts for its annual Holiday Party for homeless youth.  Teen Feed hosts the party along with other agencies of the University District Service Providers Alliance.  Last year, about 150 homeless and at-risk youth attended the event.

With youth unemployment at about 20 percent, more and more youth are living on the street.  Teen Feed runs a free dinner program for youth ages 13-25.  Approximately 40 to 70 youth show up each night, 365 nights a year.    

Youth look forward to the Holiday Party each year.  For many, this is the closest thing to a family holiday celebration they will have.  There is music, decorations, food, and a gift for each and every person who shows up.  This only happens, however, if committed individuals and groups donate gifts for the youth.

“There are two ways to donate gifts for the Holiday Party,” says Megan Gibbard, Executive Director of Teen Feed.  “First, people can simply give items that are requested and needed all the time.”  Examples are socks, sleeping bags, gloves, hats, scarves, backpacks, and hooded sweatshirts.  All gifts should be new and $40 or less.  Any gifts that go unclaimed at the Holiday Party will be distributed to local agencies to meet youth needs throughout the year. 

“If you would like to get more personally involved with gift giving, we have a Secret Santa program where you can adopt a youth’s individual holiday wish list,” says Gibbard.  If you are interested in this option, please contact the Secret Santa coordinator at secretsanta@teenfeed.org or call Colin Knight at 206.554.9480. 

If you are interested in donating any type of gift, Teen Feed asks that you drop it off by December 9th.  All gifts can be dropped off at University Congregational Church, 4515 16th Ave. NE, Seattle on either of
the following dates:

  • Tuesday, December 7, from 6 to 9 pm
  • Thursday, December 9, from 1 to 5 pm

If those hours are inconvenient, of if you would simply like to make a donation at any time during this holiday season, please email secretsanta@teenfeed.org and Teen Feed will make arrangements with you. 

Contact:
Megan Gibbard
megan@teenfeed.org
Teen Feed
4740-B University Way NE
Seattle, WA  98105
Phone:  206.522.4366
Fax:  206.522.3043

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