Blog

Several of Wallingford’s non-profit organizations are raising funds this fall to support their good work. In fact, there are three opportunities this weekend to have some fun and give to the communities that need our help!

Fourth Annual Balo Bash

Who: Balo USA

What: Dinner, silent auction, and live entertainment

When: Saturday, October 18, 7–10 pm

Where: OmCulture Wallingford, 2210 N Pacific Street

The Balo School was founded in 2005 and currently serves over 450 students living in the slums of Kolkata, India. The school provides an English language education from pre-school to 12th grade, as well as guidance to students as they launch into universities, high-level job training programs, and life. Balo USA began supporting the school in 2015 when Wallingford resident Anne Leaché recruited her friends and neighbors to support this life-changing organization. (Full disclosure: I am one of those friends who serves on the board.)

The Balo Bash, now in its fourth year, is a fun neighborhood event, featuring an Indian dinner, an open bar with delicious cocktails, a silent auction of mostly Wallingford-sponsored items, a World Market of handcrafted items for purchase, a wine raffle, a dessert dash, and live music from cover band Left Blank (of which I am also a member!). We’d love to see more of our Wallingford community at the Bash. Tickets are $75 and limited, so if you’d like to attend, please sign up now.

Donations are always gratefully accepted.

30th Annual Take a Bite Out of Hunger: “Red Card Hunger”

Who: University District Food Bank

What: Dinner, Silent and Live Auctions

When: Saturday, October 18, doors open at 5:30 pm

Where: St. Demetrios Hall, 2100 Boyer Avenue E

For over four decades, University District Food Bank has helped prevent hunger in Northeast Seattle neighborhoods. Each week, more than 2,200 different families receive the groceries they need to prepare nutritionally balanced, culturally relevant meals at home. Services include food pantries, home delivery, a backpack program for schoolchildren, a café, and a Community Connector program that links those in need to resources and services outside of the food bank.

“Red Card Hunger” includes a live in-person event with silent auction items and a live auction, as well as dinner by Cameron Catering and beverages. Tickets are $145, and you can register up to the day of the event. Another option is to register for the Virtual Fund-A-Need and Silent Auction, which opens at noon on Monday, October 13, and closes at 3 pm on Monday, October 20.

Gifts to the U District Food Bank are always welcome.

Sunday Supper

Who: FamilyWorks

What: Sunday Supper gourmet dinner and presentation

When: Sunday, October 19, 6 pm

Where: National Nordic Museum’s Osberg Great Hall, 2655 NW Market Street

FamilyWorks, our local Wallingford food bank, offers food access and family support programming in North Seattle, creating opportunities for families to thrive. Programs include food banks, playgroups, parenting classes and workshops, a diaper bank and community closet for kids’ essentials, and home grocery delivery.

The Sunday Supper is a gourmet, locally-sourced dinner, and heartfelt presentation celebrating FamilyWorks’ programs and participants. Although ticket sales for the event closed on September 26, you can still donate in lieu of attending to support the work of this great local organization.

Thank you for considering support for these local non-profit organizations, and for helping people in our local and global communities.