Hopelink

Hopelink is a social services nonprofit agency that serves north and east King County, Washington with food banks, energy assistance, housing, a family development program, transportation and adult education.^[1] Founded in 1971, it is one of the largest nonprofits in the state of Washington, employing more than 250 people with an annual budget of about $55,000,000.^[2] With a mission of helping people achieve stability and prepare to exit poverty, Hopelink serves about 64,000 people every year.^[3]

Hopelink has five emergency service centers in Bellevue, Kirkland/Northshore, Redmond, Shoreline and Carnation in Washington state. In addition to food banks, housing, energy assistance and other ongoing services, Hopelink's annual End Summer Hunger campaign helps ensure that kids on summer break have enough to eat when school is not in session; Kids Need School Supplies helps students return to class prepared to learn; and Lend a Hoping Hand provides for holiday gift rooms for low-income families. Every spring, local businesses compete in Hopelink Can Madness; a bracketed food drive aimed at replenishing food bank shelves once holiday donations begin to taper off.

In 2011, Hopelink was voted by readers of the Puget Sound Business Journal as one of the 10 most recognized and trusted nonprofit brands in Washington, outpacing numerous national nonprofits. That same year, Hopelink was voted by viewers of Evening Magazine as their favorite charity in Western Washington. In 2012, 2013 and 2016, the agency was chosen by readers of 425 Magazine as their favorite charity.

For 21 years, Hopelink has presented an annual Reaching Out Benefit Luncheon, one of the biggest fundraising events in the state. Past guest speakers have included Tom Colicchio, John Legend, Lisa Ling, Edward James Olmos, Christopher Gardner, Mark Kennedy Shriver and Donald Driver. The 2015 Luncheon -- attended by more than 1,800 guests -- was held on Monday, October 19 at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue and featured a keynote address by the Food Network's Alton Brown.^[4] The 2016 luncheon will be held on Monday, October 24, and will feature TV personality and chef Mario Batali.

Hopelink also hosts an annual Turkey Trot 5K family fun run & walk on the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving. The event runs along the shores of Lake Washington from Marina Park in Kirkland to Carillon Point and back.

Hopelink's administrative offices are in Redmond, WA.^[5]

The CEO of Hopelink is Lauren Thomas.

Hopelink's Associate Director of Communications is Darrell Bulmer.

References

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