Message from Tabitha Jensen: Make the Season *Bright* for Youth in Need

FROM THE DESK OF:
Tabitha Jensen, Teen Feed Executive Director

Dear Friends,

The Teen Feed team has been maintaining a safety net for more homeless, street-involved and food insecure youth in Seattle and King County than ever before, welcoming over 800 unduplicated youth through our doors and serving over 20,000 meals to date this year. We are incredibly grateful for individuals like you, who help make meals, support, basic needs items, and a caring community available for youth in need 365 days a year.

I have a favor to ask of you… As you gather around many tables this season, celebrating family, togetherness, and bounty, I encourage you to think of the youth and young adults at Teen Feed working hard for their futures.  The Teen Feed table is where youth have their needs met, share their hopes and fears, talk through their problems, and celebrate their successes. At Teen Feed, youth are learning to how to make good choices and create a better life for themselves, one warm meal at a time.

I am inspired by a letter I recently received from the parent of a former Teen Feed guest. She writes: “Know you are very important and your work counts…because of you [my son] had an evening meal – you were his Mom when I couldn’t be.”

Thanks to you, Teen Feed is family to youth who have no one else to turn to. We invite you to make a direct and positive impact in the lives of young people this season!

• Basic Needs Black Friday – Include youth in your holiday gift list on-line or in stores on the biggest shopping day of the year! Click here for a list of basic needs and more info.
• Holiday Gift Cards for Youth – Make the season bright by fulfilling a youth’s $40 holiday gift request. The gift cards will be wrapped and handed out individually to each youth at the 2014 UDSPA Holiday Party for Youth. Click here to learn more.
•  Make a Gift to Teen Feed – We need your help to meet the needs of an increasing number of youth 365 days a year. Your 100% tax-deductible donation will make a difference in the lives of youth who need it the most. Click here to get started.
• Give the Gift of Teen Feed – Give the gift of hope this season by donating to Teen Feed on behalf of a loved one. We will send a special card to you or the recipients of your choice, recognizing the gift and its impact, to be accompanied by an inspirational youth story.  Donate online and reach Suzanne Sullivan at suzanne@teeenfeed.org or 206.949.1092 to arrange the details of your holiday card.

On behalf of the Teen Feed family, we wish you and yours a holiday season FULL of love, celebration, connectedness, and hope! If you have any questions about our programs or how you can make a more significant impact, I welcome you to reach me at tabitha@teenfeed.org or 206.522.4366.

Warmly,

Tabitha Jensen
Executive Director
Teen Feed

PS) Please share this message with anyone who may want to support youth in need this season. Thanks!