Kimball Elementary School Thanksgiving Meals and Giving Tree 2025
By Terri Adolfo, photos by Kai Yamamoto, Jesse N. Love, and Kaylee Yokoyama
We are partnering with Kimball Elementary School this year to provide Thanksgiving meals and Christmas gifts for their underprivileged students and families. To increase our capacity to serve more families, the Thanksgiving meals will be mostly store-bought. Similar to last year, we will gather to make apple crisps and mashed potatoes.
The work party for the apple crisps was held on Sunday 11/9/2025 in the Lee Activity Center after fellowship. The work party for the mashed potatoes will be on Sunday 11/23/2025 in the Lee Activity Center after fellowship. Everyone is welcome so please come join us. We are accepting donations to help pay for the meals and ingredients.
EDIT: The delivery of our Thanksgiving Meals will be on Tuesday, November 25.
The Giving Tree decorated with gift tags will be in the Social Hall from 11/16/25 – 11/30/25. Please reach out to the Blaine office to arrange tag pickups during office hours if you are not able to pick up after service. Gift tags that are not taken by Sunday, 11/30/25, will be collected and distributed to volunteer shoppers. If you are not able to take tags but would like to participate or help, we are gratefully accepting donations. We have heard from Kimball that they are experiencing greater need from their student community this year.
Donations for the Thanksgiving Service and the Giving Tree can be made through Blaine’s website, text/SMS, cash/check, and Realm. For Thanksgiving meals, please select “BYG” and type in “Thanksgiving” in the memo field. For the Giving Tree, please select “Special Donations/Other” and write “Giving Tree” in the memo field. Please return wrapped gift with tag securely attached no later than Sunday, 12/07/25.
Contact Terri Adolfo at locket@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Thank you for your ongoing generosity and support to help bless those in need in our community!
Terri Adolfo is a member of Blaine Memorial UMC.
Wednesday Morning Coffee and Prayer
- When: 9:00AM
- Where: Zoom
The hour together consists of brief check-ins, devotionals, and prayers. We will continue reading from The Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide.This is a great way to start your morning, clear and center your mind, all while connecting with God and your prayer community. Feel free to bring a cup of coffee, tea, and a bite to eat.
Contact the Church Office for the Zoom Link.
Lee Activity Center 25th Anniversary
When: Sunday, November 16
Where: Blaine Memorial UMC, Lee Activity Center
You’re Invited! Celebrate Blaine Memorial UMC’s 25th anniversary of the Lee Activity Center (LAC) is on Sunday, November 16, 2025. We’ll have a worship service at 10:00AM with a cake reception after service in the LAC. Help us commemorate this milestone with your presence. Hope to see you there. Questions? Please email the Church Office at the church office (office@blaineonline.org) or call at 206-723-1536.
SAVE-THE-DATE! All Church Meeting (Charge Conference)
When: Sunday, December 7, 12pm
Where: Blaine Memorial UMC
This year’s All Church (Charge) Conference is scheduled for Sunday, December 7 at 12:00 PM. This gathering holds great significance for our faith community as we come together to celebrate our ministries in 2025. SeaTac District Superintendent, Rev. Ferdie Llenado, will preside over the meeting. Church Leaders, please turn in your annual reports by December 1, 2025 and please send them to Yuki Sofronas (office@blaineonline.org).
Community Announcements
Blaine Memorial UMC responds to food insecurity
When: November Sundays, Tuesdays-Fridays 10:00a-4:00pm (Excluding Veterans Day)
Where: Blaine Memorial UMC Office, Social Hall
From Rev. Karen:
During this past Sunday’s (11/2) sermon message, I addressed the need for food at our local food banks. Across our nation, and increasingly within our Seattle-area, families are facing a deepening struggle to meet their most basic needs. Last Saturday, the federal freeze of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits placed millions of households in a dire position, impacting low-income families, working households, and federal employees living paycheck to paycheck. This is the first time in our nation’s history where SNAP benefits have lapsed. In many cases, these individuals and families are now experiencing food shortages and are faced with making impossible choices between food, utilities, and housing.
This growing food insecurity crisis is not confined to one community or state; it is unfolding across the state of Washington, and across the country. Rising costs of living have already stretched budgets to their limit. Local food banks and nonprofit partners are reporting a significant increase in need, and there is an opportunity for us to help our neighbors who are in need.
Here’s a list of the most needed foods to help keep shelves stocked at Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) and the Rainier Valley Food Bank.
Please drop off your new, unopened containers/donations in the black trunk in the Narthex:
- Seasonings
- Cooking Oil
- Nuts
- Fish Sauce
- Soy Sauce
- Gluten-free Foods
- Dried fruit
- Cold/Hot Cereals
- Dry Beans & Lentils
- Grains
- Instant Grains
- Flour
- Sugar
- Popcorn
- Herbs/Spices
- Infant Formula
- Dry Goods (Rice & Pasta)
- Small Pasta Noodles
- Infant Formula
- Canned Chicken, SPAM & Tuna
- Instant Mashed Potatoes
- Canned Fruit
- Canned Meals (Soups & Chili)
- Cream of Wheat, Oatmeal & Grits
- Nutrient Replacement Drinks
- Stuffing
- Apple Sauce
- Nut Butter
- Dog & Cat Food
- Diapers
- Toothbrushes & Toothpaste
- Shaving Supplies
- Feminine Hygiene Products
If you’d like to give directly to the local organizations, please do so. They have the capacity to purchase food at discounted bulk rates. Please click on ACRS and/or Rainier Valley Food Bank.
We will take this collection during November. Thank you again for making a difference. Thank you for coming together to create free food opportunities amid delays in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to the ongoing government shutdown. May you continue to be a blessing in the community as we work to provide basic necessities for everyone.
The Beacon is now available!
Our Story Continues
- Senior Pastor Reflection: Harvesting, Giving Thanks, Being Generous
- Blaine Memorial UMC raises $12,700 for Walk for Rice!
- Associate Pastor’s Spiritual Reflection: You Are Called
- Spiritual Formation Center: What is Your Burning Bush?
November 2025
To view the December calendar, click or tap here.