October 8, 2009
TAKE ACTION TO SAVE HUMAN SERVICE FUNDING IN KING COUNTY
KING COUNTY IS CONSIDERING ELIMINATING ALL COUNTY GENERAL FUNDS FOR HUMAN SERVICES IN 2010 IN ORDER TO BALANCE THEIR BUDGET.
Who will be affected?
These budget cuts would be detrimental to several vital services and the people who use them, including domestic violence shelters, senior centers, homeless shelters, legal advocates for victims of sexual assault, programs for youth at risk, as well as Food Lifeline and the hunger relief services we provide. In these tough economic times, these important services are needed now more than ever and cutting them would impact us all.
The effect on just one organization like Food Lifeline is staggering. In 2009, after cuts, Food Lifeline’s funding from King County was $133,000. With each dollar, Food Lifeline can provide 5 meals for people who need them. This means that if County funding is eliminated, it is a loss of 665, 000 meals for hungry people. This is a huge loss for our community.
What can you do?
Contact your King County Councilmember today!
Visit the King County Council webpage to locate your district and councilmember and link to their contact info. Then, email or call to let your councilmember know why County general funds are essential for human services.
Sample Message: “My name is ____ (name) and I live in ____ (neighborhood or city). During these difficult economic times when people are greatly in need of assistance, it is more important than ever that the County maintain current funding for community health and human services for 2010. Elimination of these services would drive up the costs of public health and safety, costing the residents of King County more in the long run. Therefore, please continue to fund these programs in 2010 while also looking for additional adequate, stable, and dedicated funding for human services in the long term.”
Your voice is essential to securing the King County funds our community desperately needs.
Take action now!
Questions:
Contact Maria Roselle via e-mail or by calling 206-545-6600, or visit the King County Alliance for Human Services website.