I just learned today that the TCFB has had a 38% increase in their client caseload and a 40% DROP in donations. I would encourage anyone who can to give money or food to the foodbank. They are a very important resource and right now we as a community cannot allow them to fail in their critical mission.

I know there is a drop bin at Bayview Thriftway, I do not know of any other donation sites in Oly. (Honestly I haven't looked, I walk right by Bayview everyday so give there or at the Food Bank proper)

I would imagine the things most needed are protiens, and quality healthy foods. Vegetarian/vegan options are probably often overlooked as well.

Maybe if everyone were to buy just one extra can or box of something that would serve as the center point of a healthy meal each time they went shopping... or cut back on one latte, or whatnot. I'm doing what I can.

The B&R advocacy center is currently facing a severe shortage of operating and maintenance funds, preventing us from providing services to those in need. Any donations will allow us to continue to give dynamic financial assistance to low- and no-income people experiencing crises.

Donations of any amount are welcome and can be mailed to or dropped off at the Bread & Roses Advocacy Center at 1009 4th Ave E., Olympia, 98506. We are open Monday-Friday 9am-1130am & 1pm-430pm.

Any questions can be directed to 754-4588 or 481-2559.

The Women's Guesthouse is transitional housing for women in Olympia designed to empower women while developing sustainable permanent housing plans. The Women's Guesthouse is a duplex- one side provides housing for women and children, and the other provides housing for single women.

We are trying to provide a comfortable space for the women on their journeys to self-sufficiency. The women have made a list of several items that would help them out a great deal.

*Kitchen supplies: can opener, cookie sheet, pizza tray, pizza cutter, cheese slicer, food storage containers, spatula, serving spoons, whisk, potato masher, ladle, mason jars, canisters for flour/sugar/etc, silverware

*Towels: dish towels, hand towels, wash cloths

*House supplies: night lights, flashlight, desk lamp, storage bins, shoe boxes, shower mats, shower curtain liner, door mats, curtains, batteries, house plants

*Tools/supplies: Hammer, screwdrivers, and basic tools, ceiling hooks, nails, screws, wall anchors

*Furniture: 4 dressers, bathroom shelf, bookcase, computer desk, office chair, tv stand, 5 laundry baskets

Small items such as these can make a huge difference in the atmosphere of a house. Please help us turn the Bread and Roses Women's Guesthouse from a house into a home where women can prosper and grow. Contact the Bread and Roses Advocacy Center at (360) 754-4588 during business hours, 9-4:30 M-F, visit us at 1009 4th Ave E Olympia, WA, or contact Sarah after hours at (630)336-8000.

At Bread and Roses, we are building a street library so that houseless folks can have regular access to books as well as a place to sit and read them. This will be in conjunction with our developing literacy and GED programs. There is a book drop off point in Cafe Vita.

I saw this by Rob Richards in the Book exchange thread and I want to help publicize it. A street library is an excellent idea.

Plus as the weather warms it is time for spring cleaning. We can clear out books in good shape that we don't need anymore, help out the library, and free up more room for ourselves. We all win.

Bread and Roses

The National Weather Service is predicting some much lower temps for us soon - low Sunday night of 21, Monday night 19, and that isn't taking wind chill into account.

If you can help Bread and Roses out with winter needs, give them a call at 360.754.4588.

Although we are not a clothing bank, we do run a Winter Clothing Drive every year. Keep us in mind for your good-condition jackets, sweaters, hoodies, sweatshirts, heavy pants, boots, scarves, gloves and knit hats. We accept blanket donations year-round as well as donations of tents, tarps, and other camping related materials.

The Thurston County 4-H Dog Club The Muttz-K-Teers and many other local 4-H clubs will be collecting this Saturday, water Bottles for Adna Elementary School. All of the schools in Adna use Boistfort Valley Water and due to the flood it is now not drinkable. Adna said it would be nice to have a stash of bottled water to last for the end of the year, But that would take around 60,000 Bottles! So This Saturday at the WSU Thurston County 4-H Extension Office (back parking lot of Fred Meyers) we will be collecting as many bottled waters as we can. But we will need your help!!! Help out our neighbors—tell everyone you know to bring donated bottled water this Saturday, January 19!

Address: 720 Sleater-Kinney Road SE, Suite Y Lacey, WA (The Back Parking Lot of Fred Myers)

Feel Free to Contact Chris Swearingen for more info at,

360-456-6309

If you are out and about, and can add a case of water to your shopping list, it's is much needed.

Big Lots has cases of water for only $4.