Community partnerships are an important part of a thriving city. Lake Stevens is lucky to have multiple organizations full of caring people supporting our residents. Join us as we show appreciation for all the hard work our partnering organizations completed in 2023. 

Please see below the complete list of accomplishments from our Lake Stevens Senior Center, Lake Stevens Historical Society, Lake Stevens Community Food Bank and Lake Stevens Community Resource Center.  

Lake Stevens Senior Center 

•  In 2023, membership reached over 250 residents.

•  The senior center served over 4,000 lunches in 2023.

•  Provided a free lunch and movie monthly to 30 residents.

•  Provided transportation to Seattle for games, museums, and events.

•  Hosted fundraisers like the pancake breakfast and spaghetti dinner.

•  Served Christmas dinner and a wrapped gift to 50-70 seniors at no cost to them.

Lake Stevens Historical Society

•  Two new exhibits will be featured in the new museum: Mitchell Pharmacy and the White School one room classroom. 

     o Mitchell Pharmacy will take you back to a 50’s diner theme with tables and chairs for visitors to relax and drink their coffee. During social events, ice cream and pastries will be served.

     o The White School one room classroom is designed to replicate a 1900s classroom with desks, a chalk board, and handheld slate boards. Teachers will be able to take students and experience what school was like 100 years ago while engaging in prepared lessons.

•  In July, the Historical Society honored WWII Veterans by showcasing the history of Homefront News. A newsletter written by Charles Cockburn who sent the newsletter to men and women serving during WWII.

•  During Aquafest, the Historical Society featured an Aquafest history exhibit offering photos with the Chicken, a raffle fundraiser, and a 50’s theme ice cream fundraiser.

•  The Grimm House was open for Aquafest, all Farmers Markets, HarvestFest, and WinterFest. During the events, several “hands on” exhibits were available to engage young visitors. 

    o During HarvestFest, the Historical Society hosted 498 guests and saw around 200 visitors during WinterFest while featuring vintage Christmas trees, garlands, and toys.

•  The Lake Stevens Historical Society received a Snohomish County Historical Preservation grant to digitize the remaining Lake Stevens newspapers, closing out the project.

•  Adding the final touches to the Grimm House, like the painted picket fence and trellises as well as the brick patio. In spring 2024, the final plantings will be added just before celebrating the 20th anniversary of the dedication of the historic Grimm House in May.

Lake Stevens Community Food Bank

•  Finished the construction and moved into their new building housing all their operations in one place.

•  Providing a space in their new building for the Lake Stevens Community Resource Center.

•  Offering a new “grocery model” food distribution for the community members seeking help. People get to come in, grab a shopping cart, and walk through to pick out the food they want, similar to a regular store. 

•  Including the new distributing food model, increased visibility on 20th St SE, and the rising cost of goods has increased the amount families served from an average of 350 families each week to over 750 families each week. All needs have been met thanks to community donations. 

•  Add additional non-profit organizations to fill the gaps between the services offer now between the food bank and resource center in 2024.

•  Starting in 2024, the food bank will offer cooking demonstration classes. Citizens can learn how to cook unfamiliar foods given by the food bank and help preserve produce given through canning or pickling.

Lake Stevens Community Resource Center

•  Served 600 families and 1,600 individuals this year.

•  Doubled staff from three to six employees by hiring an Administrative Assistant, Housing Navigator, and Bilingual Specialist.

•  Moved into the new Lake Stevens Community Food Bank building providing more space and services offered.

•  “Growing the Future of Todays Families” is a significant resource for teen parents needing access to resources to provide a better life for their child and themselves. In 2023, more than 30 parents and 20 children have been helped through this program. 

•  Partnering with the Hungry Hearts Foundation the LSCRC provided 260 backpacks and school supplies to youth in the LSSD for this school year. This event is the largest back-to-school event in Lake Stevens. 

•  LSCRC has the largest toy drive in Lake Stevens, serving Lake Stevens residents only. This year the LSCRC partnered with the Lake Stevens Food Bank and will serve over 200 children for the holiday season.

•  In 2024, the LSCRC’s goal is to provide more inclusive events for families to connect with peers, socialize and build community relationships.

•  With the in-house Housing Navigator, the LSCRC will focus on families experiencing homelessness, while breaking down barriers and providing housing resources to assist families so they can become self-sustaining.