Bridge to Basics: Meeting People's Basic Needs

Increasing benefits outreach.
Meeting people's basic needs. Poverty is real in King County Yet there's lots of help available
through public benefits. Cultural stigma against
asking for help There are many reasons
these benefits are underused. Join us.
Be part of a great cause, and help struggling families get back on their feet.
Learn a new skill, join a team, and connect with your community in a great way.

To register for a Bridge to Basics shift that works for you, go to
www.uwkc.org/taxvolunteer In the first half of 2010, the total number of person visits to King County food banks increased by 91,132 or 8.9%. The unemployment rate in King County overall (8.5 percent) remains high compared to pre- recession levels. 1 in 5 King County kids is at ricks for hunger.
This increases risk for:

Chronic illness
Behavioral problems,
Decreased educational achievement.


This means they're less likely to go to college. It's also estimated that child poverty ends up costing Washington State $8.7 billion annually.

(Washington Kids Count 2008-2009). This is especially dangerous for our kids' futures. A family of 3 earning $20,800/year could have been eligible for the following support: Over $250 per month for food purchases Up to a 40% reduction in utility bills Over $600 in child care payments
and free preschool $1500-$3000 in Earned Income Tax Credits and thousands of dollars through FAFSA enabling people to attend college. Look at how public benefits can stretch the income of a family making just $10 an hour--
$17,784 a year. Public benefits are government assistance programs designed to
Decrease poverty
Decrease hardship of unemployment, illness or disability for those in crisis.
Bring money into the local economy

$5 in Basic Food benefits brings $9.20
in local economic activity.

Each year, public benefits significantly reduce the
impact of poverty on low-income families in the US. Why Public Benefits? By joining the Bridge to Basics team, you can talk to families in need about these resources, and help them apply for life-changing benefits. Lack of awareness that
help is available Complicated applications, no help in navigating the system. Most of these barriers can be overcome with new information, and a conversation with someone who can help them apply. We provide a full training
You're supported during your
shift
Many students have earned
service learning and
internship credits Option 1:
Be a benefits screener at one of a United Way Free Tax Site,
January 15- April 15. Option 2:
Help us with one- time events.

- Help give referral follow-up calls
- Join seasonal events at food banks
- Spread awareness
for summer meals for
kids. Free meals for children through the National School Lunch Program and Summer Food Service Program. There are several ways you can join our Bridge to Basics team and get involved. Commit to a weekly shift at a
time and place that works for you.

Come to a full training in early
January. www.uwkc.org/taxvolunteer email BasicNeeds@uwkc When the economy crashed in 2007, thousands of families took a huge hit to their income and their ability to meet their basic needs.

5 years later, incomes have not increased substantially.
(Communities Count Survey, 2012) Foreclosure rates have quadrupled since 2006. 1 in 5 kids in King County is at risk of going hungry.

This undermines their health, behavior, and ability succeed in school. Almost 50% of jobs in King County don't pay a living wage, meaning that even people with jobs aren't able to meet their basic needs, like food, childcare and healthcare. Yet with so much help available from public benefits, too few families are accessing them.