Blaine Memorial UMC raises $12,700 for Walk for Rice!
By Justine Ing
A big THANK YOU to our Team Blaine walkers and the rest of the Blaine community for everyone’s amazing support with this year’s ACRS Walk for Rice! Team Blaine had a strong turnout on June 28th at Seward Park – with over 30 walkers this year, we were one of the largest teams walking on a beautiful Saturday morning to support the ACRS Food Bank.
At the closing ceremony, Team Blaine was recognized by ACRS as being in Second Place among all Walk for Rice fundraising teams- as of this writing, we’ve raised over $12,700! We far exceeded our fundraising goal –
WAY TO GO, BLAINE COMMUNITY!!
Our donations will help ACRS to provide culturally familiar food for low-income seniors and families for many months. ACRS will continue to accept donations during the summer, so it’s not too late to donate to Team Blaine and the Walk for Rice.
Thanks so much for your support of this important community resource!
Justine Ing served as Team Captain for this year’s Walk for Rice and is a member of Blaine Memorial UMC.
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
- Kimball Elementary Thanksgiving Meals, Giving Tree 2025
- Senior Pastor Reflection: Harvesting, Giving Thanks, Being Generous
- 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.