The Federal Way Community Service Club Network is launching a quarterly project to stock the shelves at South King County’s largest charity.
To kick off the project, clubs in the network will collect baby formula and diapers, then deliver the bounty to the Multi-Service Center on March 9.
“The people in my club have been absolutely amazed at how expensive baby diapers, baby food and baby items are,” said Wayne Triplett of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Federal Way. “That points out just how difficult it is for some people to have an adequate supply of those things because they’re already living on limited incomes.”
Triplett volunteers as a driver for the Multi-Service Center. On Wednesday, he’ll help load baby supplies brought in by clubs throughout Federal Way.
The network consists of local service organizations including Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary. Many clubs address specific issues such as scholarships, eyeglass donations, homelessness or domestic abuse.
The network was started three years ago by Dennis Jaraczeski of the Federal Way Noon Rotary. Initially, he sought support to build a big sign that announced the city’s service clubs. The network continues to foster camaraderie and communication among local clubs.
“Federal Way is only so big and everyone is trying to get into the same pockets (for donations). … We don’t want to duplicate something someone else is doing,” he said. “The project gives us the visibility we wanted to have. If we can support one another, that would be the ideal thing. We created a reason to come together.”
The idea for the quarterly collection drive is months in the making.
For the second quarter of 2011, the network will collect kid-friendly foods such as macaroni and cheese, microwave soups, juice boxes, granola bars, fruit and pudding cups and snacks. Delivery will take place June 8. The third project seeks more non-perishable food and garden produce, with delivery slated for Sept. 14. For the fourth project, volunteers will collect socks, coats, blankets, gloves and scarves for the Multi-Service Center, with delivery set for Dec. 14.
The Federal Way Community Service Club Network meets at 10 a.m. the second Wednesday of every month at City Hall. Participating organizations include AAUW (American Association of University Women); GFWC SOKICO (General Federation of Women’s Clubs South King County); Federal Way Lions (Noon and Sunrise); Federal Way Rotary (Noon and Sunrise); Federal Way Kiwanis (Noon and Sunrise); Federal Way Community Caregiving Network; Reach Out men’s homeless shelter; Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW); Pray Federal Way; Federal Way Community Garden Foundation; and Soroptimist of Federal Way.
To learn more, call Jaraczeski at (206) 878-3048.
