A visit to 'The Market', FCC broadband financial assistance and more

Dear Friends,

We are closing out another busy week in May. I would like to make you aware of some awesome people and share about their special gifts and a few other points of interest.

Last Friday, a couple members of the Graham-Kapowsin Community Council (GKCC), Chair Carol Wright and volunteer Kayla Holmes, and I visited a new food pantry location in Buckley called The Market. I learned of this new work of love through a presentation in a committee meeting. It’s an amazing food distribution program and I immediately thought of the GKCC and how hard Carol works for the community to make sure no one goes hungry. I knew she would want to learn about the food pantry which is an extension of the Bonney Lake Foodbank.

Stacey Crnich is the Executive Director of the Bonney Lake Foodbank and welcomed us to view The Market’s operations. I could write pages of accolades about her and her amazing volunteers. To learn more, or help them continue in their success, please visit the links below.

It would be so wonderful to have something like this to serve the citizens in the Graham-Kapowsin zip codes: The Market on Meridian.

OSHA guidance on vaccine reactions

Throughout the past year, we have been forced to deviate from our normal routines and activities. While I’m seeing light at the end of the tunnel, I came across an article discussing OSHA employer requirements that I haven’t seen in the mainstream media. Links and a short synopsis are below in case you are interested.

OSHA Tells Employers When to Record Adverse Vaccine Reactions
Employers that require workers to receive Covid-19 vaccinations may need to record adverse reactions in the workplace illness logs they are required to share with the federal government, OSHA said in new guidance.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued the guidance Tuesday in the form of answers to three frequently asked questions.

Emergency Broadband Benefit

The FCC has a temporary program called the Emergency Broadband Benefit to help families and households struggling to afford broadband internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides:

Up to $50/month discount for broadband service;
Up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying Tribal lands; and
A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider if they contribute more than $10 but less than $50 toward the purchase price.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. To see if your household is eligible visit this FCC website.

ARPA website to stay informed

If you are following the American Rescue Plan Act, here is where you can get updated on plans and the agenda for our next Committee of the Whole meeting on May 20.

To close, I want to share one more county opportunity for those needing assistance and for those with philanthropic hearts. The Pierce County Court Resource Center is a place to connect for services, such as drug & alcohol treatment providers, housing providers and medical treatment providers and more. It’s also the home of Just Threads, where job seekers can find clothing suitable for interviews. They also accept donations. Check them out on Facebook.

Grateful for you!