The 17th Annual WALK FOR RICE in support of Asian Counseling and Referral Service's Food Bank will take place in Seward Park on Saturday, June 16, with festivities starting at 8:30 am.  The 2.5 Fun Run / Walk helps feed 5,000 Asian-Pacific Islander households in and around King County.  There will be SUPER PAWS contest for dog owners, where pooches who dress up as super heroes will be judged and prizes awarded.  ACRS' Food Bank is the third largest in King County, providing ethnically-appropriate foods such as tofu, rice, and fish to needy families.  Last year the WALK FOR RICE raised over $130,000. 

ACRS is a multi-service UNITED WAY organization located in Seattle's International District at 8th and Dearborn Streets.  Agency staff speak over 32 different Asian languages, providing mental health, elderly, vocational, youth violence, and other vital human service programs to persons in need. 

Fairwood Community UMC member Rod Haynes is a former staff member at ACRS.  He has served as a committee member for the WALK for a number of years. 

Fairwood's YOUTH Group have graciously volunteered to help collect trash at Seward Park after the event concludes late in the morning on June 16.  Other local UMC Youth Groups involved in the WALK include Blaine UMC, Ronald UMC, and (possibly) Beacon UMC.  We thank all the youth for their support.

Members can either form walking teams or just show up and walk individually. For more information about the WALK FOR RICE, including how to register for the event, see http://walkforrice.org or look for information at the church on Sundays until the day of the event.  Rod Haynes can be reached at home at 425-228-6813.