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Caring for Kids is an all volunteer organization helping kids in need in Lakewood, Mc Chord, Fort Lewis, Steilacoom and University Place. We are a 501c3 through the Exchange Club of Tacoma Foundation.
Caring for Kids Projects
The 2007 Holiday Fair helped 2,305 kids and their families with food and gift baskets for the holidays.
The 2008 Ready to Learn Fair, which is held in August, provided 1,833 kids with new and good used clothing, new school supplies, immunizations, vision and hearing screening, dental screenings, free haircuts, $6 bike helmets, hygiene and dental products, books to read and a free lunch. Free sports physicals were provided to secondary students.
The CFK Clothing Bank was established to provide free clothing to kids in need and their families. The clothes are distributed through the schools, after school programs and community agencies. In 2007-2008 school year we helped 813 kids with clothing, hygiene products, backpacks and shoes. Volunteers process the clothing bank order forms at the Little Red School House and the packaged orders are delivered. Warm, decent clothing and shoes that fit are so important to a child's health and self-esteem. At the end of 2007-2008 school year there were 335 homeless students just in Clover Park.
CFK provides free school supplies. In the 2007-2008 school year we provided 1,071 kids with school supplies. Deodorant, toothpaste, flosses and toothbrushes are also accessible through the school supply bank. The Life Skills Class at Lakes High School manages the CFK School Supply Bank as part of their work-training program.
In 2007-2008 school year we distributed 2,239 dental care kits to our kids in need. Each kit includes a toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss with a loving reminder to brush and floss in the morning and at bed time.
In celebration of the NEA sponsored Read Across America on March 2nd, a 1,000 new books were distributed to Headstart and ECEAP (at-risk preschoolers) and some of the needier kindergarten students. In the 2007-2008 school year we purchased and distributed a total of 4,814 books. Our purpose is to encourage parents and students to read at home and to put a new book in the hands of a kid in need. We purchase the books for a quarter through the national organization First Books.
Barbara Smith Clover Park Homeless Liaison coordinator” I work daily with over 300 homeless students that our district has identified. If not for the generosity of CFK, these children would have no where to turn for clothing and school supplies.”
CFK Food Bank supplies immediate emergency food to families through the schools and community partners.
Emergency Food Packets are supplied to schools and after school programs. These packets contain a canned meal (chili, ravioli, chicken and noodles, etc.), a can of fruit and a cup of soup. This program meets the immediate needs of hungry kids.
Working with Communities in Schools and Comcast we assembled 750 Growing Up Is Fun Bags for preschool parents. Each bag provides instructional materials and supplies to help parents prepare their kids for school.
Caring for Kids has a small cottage business making and selling Caring for Kids Angels.
CFK “Kids Helping Kids” Work Team is composed of special needs students from the Alfaretta House, Clover Park H.S. and Lakes H.S. The Alfaretta House runs the Kids Helping Kids Balloon Bouquets business, assembles ABC necklaces for the Growing Up Is Fun Bags, assembles toothbrush kits, collects ink cartridges and cell phones, prepares books for distribution, fills bags for the weekend backpack program and sands cutting boards for a fundraiser. Lakes runs the school supply bank and works at organizing the warehouse. Clover Park packs baby clothes for distribution in the community through WIC, Central Latino, MDC and Caring for Kids. In three months 314 bags were distributed (6 outfits per bag).
Along with Lakewood First Lions Club we are also distributing furniture. The project is called Furniture for Families.
List of Needs
Money to purchase socks, shoes, school supplies, pants, underwear, and hygiene products for the Clothing Bank.
Holiday Fair donations of new clothing, gifts and money
New or good used children’s and young adult clothing.
New or good used toys, stuffed animals and games
New School supplies
New or good used books
Non-perishable food (especially meals in a can (chili. ravioli, etc), fruit, peanut butter, tuna, etc.) for our emergency food packets and the food closet.
Hygiene products such as shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant and dental floss (unused hotel amenities too)
Household goods blankets, silverware, plates, etc
Glasses and hearing aides (for the Lion’s)
Auction items for our February auction - a major fundraiser
For more information please contact: Diane Formoso
237 Eldorado Ave.
Fircrest, WA 98466
253-279-9777 / Fax: 253-565-4768
Email: carekids@comcast.net Website: carekids.org