KITH Seeking Donations of School Supplies for Kids In Need

A drive to provide school supplies for the children it assists is being conducted by Kirkland’s home-grown, grass-roots housing agency, Kirkland Interfaith Transitions in Housing, or KITH.

Founded in 1989 by civic activists in Kirkland, KITH addresses the issue of homelessness by providing transitional and longer-term housing and other support to local families in need.

The non-profit group last year helped 42 local families with housing and case management services, such as employment and education counseling, said Christine Rose, KITH development director.

The school supply drive will help children who live in the nonprofit group’s 20 housing units -- including Petter Court in Kingsgate and Salisbury Court in Juanita -- as well as kids who attend its Community Supper every Tuesday evening (6-7 p.m., Holy Spirit Lutheran Church).

The kids need things like pens, pencils, crayons, binders, notebooks, sketch pads, calculators -- see the attached PDF file for sample lists from local schools.

Donations can be dropped off at:

• KITH offices, 125 State Street, Kirkland; 425-576-9531.
• real estate office, 13131 NE 85th Street, Kirkland; 425-260-6612.
• Davidson, Cziesler & Kilpatric P.S. office located at 520 Kirkland Way, Suite 500, Kirkland; 425-822-2228.
• Or contact Redith Ross, KITH Board member, (425-822-2228; redith@kirklandlaw.com) if you are not able to drop off supplies and KITH will make arrangements to pick them up.

Rose said KITH is also constantly in need of volunteers for various projects and efforts -- maintaining its housing, clerical work, event assistance, etc. For example, KITH is seeking volunteers and sponsors for its 9th Annual Dinner and Silent Auction at the on Oct. 9, one of its major fundraisers.

If you can help, visit KITH's web site here or call 425-576-9531.