Sign up or donate! Walk for Rice 2026 is coming!
By Justine Ing
The 36th Annual ACRS Walk for Rice will be held at Seward Park in Seattle, May 16, 2026
Blaine Memorial UMC has a special connection to the ACRS Walk for Rice. In 1990, Sam Mitsui, together with Herb and Bertha Tsuchiya, wanted a way for everyone to help feed the community. Team Blaine continues to honor Sam’s contribution in helping start the Walk for Rice 36 years ago.
This year’s Walk for Rice will be held a month earlier than usual at Seward Park on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 9 a.m.
The ACRS Food Bank remains one of the busiest food banks in King County, distributing more than 1 million pounds of food annually to about 5,000 clients. More than half of its clients are children younger than 18 or seniors older than 65, and the vast majority of people served by the ACRS Food Bank are low-income. Proceeds from the Walk for Rice allow ACRS to buy many of the culturally familiar foods its clients rely on, such as rice, tofu and noodles, as well as Asian produce such as bok choy.
Last year, Team Blaine raised more than $12,000 — the highest total we’ve ever raised — putting us in second place. This year, ACRS hopes to raise $375,000, and Team Blaine’s fundraising goal is $8,000. You can also support us by walking with Team Blaine at Seward Park on May 16.
Visit www.walkforrice.org and view Team Blaine’s page!
Thank you in advance for supporting the ACRS Food Bank — every dollar counts!
Justine Ing serves as Captain for Team Blaine during this year’s Walk for Rice event!
Announcements
Dates to Remember
| Saturday, May 16, 9 a.m. • 35th Annual ACRS Walk for Rice, Seward Park | |||
| Tuesday, May 19 • 2026 Educational Scholarship Deadline | |||
| July 24–Aug. 1 • Mission Guatemala |
Scholarship recommendation letter reminder
It’s scholarship season! If you need a recommendation letter from Rev. Karen, please request it at least two weeks before the scholarship deadline.
Rev. Karen carries many responsibilities and often receives multiple requests for recommendation letters. Last-minute requests — especially those submitted the night before the deadline — can be very difficult to accommodate, as completing a letter depends on her current workload.
To ensure she has enough time to write thoughtful and effective recommendations, please plan ahead and submit your requests well in advance.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
The 2026 educational scholarships
Application Deadline: May 19, 2026
Since 1968, Blaine Memorial UMC has been honored to support students in their educational journeys. We encourage applicants of all ages — those entering new programs and those returning to continue their education.
Scholarships include:
- Vera Ing Scholarship
- Blaine Memorial UMC Scholarship
- Ted and Margaret Yasuda Scholarship
- Robert and Lucy Sato Scholarship
Applications are available by emailing BlaineUMCScholarships@gmail.com or contacting the church office. Two letters of recommendation are required.
We look forward to supporting those eager to grow, learn and serve. Thank you to Michelle Vaughan, scholarship chair, for her leadership.
Hospitality request — chips and savory treats needed
Calling all snack lovers! We’re running low on chips and savory treats for Fellowship Time — there’s only one box left.
If you’re able, we would be grateful for donations of individually wrapped snack-size bags of chips (potato chips, Doritos, Cheetos or other savory favorites).
Please drop off your donations in the narthex, church office or social hall at your convenience — either on Sunday morning or during church office hours (Tuesday–Friday, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM).
Thank you for your continued generosity in providing both sweet and savory treats for Fellowship Time. Your hospitality helps make our time together even more welcoming and joyful.
Check out the latest issue of the Beacon!
Our monthly collection of ministry stories can be found in the Beacon. Happenings, Faith & Ministries, Visions, and Connections can be enjoyed through our PDF versions of the newsletter. If you would like to subscribe to a printed version, contact the Church Office for more information.