Last week the Eastside Neighborhood Association conducted its Annual Meeting to a great turnout  thanks to Nathan and Casey Allan of the Swantown Inn, who supplied not only the location, but a soup supper! The program that followed included two guest speakers: Chris Hyde, the Souper Sunday guy, and Berenice Hartt Plazas from the Thurston County Food Bank.  Both spoke on the topic of food insecurity.

Chris Hyde has been a great asset to the people of Olympia and has followers from all over the United States, some of which have begun their own free food give aways. He has just successfully become a nonprofit organization, Food Source Foundation, and is hoping to expand to provide more types of free food to more people.

Berenice Hartt Plazas spoke about the Thurston County Food Bank program in existence for over 50 years. It has 20 locations and 18 mobile programs. Besides Thurston County, their programs serve some surrounding counties.  She noted that in the last six years there has been a real increase in need for those who work but do not have enough money for food after paying all their bills. The number of seniors needing food has increased by 50%.

Programs provided by the Food Bank include:  Backpack food for Kids, Holiday meals, hygiene supplies, Birthday bags and Newborn bags. Funding comes from City, State, Federal and donor programs. They have 32 employees and all the rest are volunteers.

For more information on these programs go to:

foodsourcefoundation.com or tcfb.org

To learn more and or become involved with the Eastside Neighborhood Association contact:

pr*******@ea**************.org

Join other locals for an afternoon of food, drink, community and live entertainment! 

$40.00 General Admission Soiree Ticket includes, admission to the event, food and live entertrainment.

$75.00 Madison Lover Soiree Ticket includes entry into the event, food, two drink tickets, one GOLDEN raffle ticket and live entertainment.

Go to the Event Page

Bid on items from all of these wonderful Olympia businesses;

• Swantown Inn
• Radiance
• Great Wolf Lodge
• Bucks Spices
• Rainy Day Records
• Queen Bs Cupcakes
• Alderbrook Resort and Spa
• Jujus
• WA Performance Center
• Captain Little
• Legends Arcade
• Ilk Brewing
• 3 Magnets Brewing
• Bayview Cooking School
• Hands on Children’s Museum
• Capital City Marathon
• Left Bank
• Flipped Pot
• Cascadia Grill

Nathan Allan, ENA Board Member and Innkeeper at the Swantown Inn is championing lighting up Central Street for the holidays.

The church has loosely made an offer to help with the lights, with one of their members who built the original snowflake willing to help us replicate and improve on the original.

If you are at all interested in attending a workshop and helping to build at least a couple more, please reach out to Nathan via email at na****@sw*********.com, or he is also creating a Facebook Event for an informational session on November 16th at 10am at the Swantown Inn’s Grand Victorian Ballroom.

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of angling adventures at our Rod and Reel Event on June 8, 2024, from noon to 4 pm! Proudly co-sponsored by Rod n Reels, the Eastside Neighborhood Association, and the Olympia Lions Club, this event promises a reel good time for the whole family!

Cast your worries away and reel in the fun with:

Exciting Fishing Demos Expert Tips and Techniques Interactive Workshops Free Rods and Reels And much, much more!

Plus, treat your taste buds to delicious refreshments, including FREE hotdogs!

Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just dipping your toes into the world of fishing, this event is perfect for anglers of all ages and skill levels. Don’t miss your chance to hook onto the excitement and make a splash at the Rod and Reel Event of the year!

Mark your calendars and be sure to join us on June 8th at the Pavilion located in Lions Park  for an unforgettable afternoon!

See you there, tight lines!

Our goal is to include a wide variety of performances that will appeal to people of all ages. It is not a competition, just an afternoon of entertainment. The show will include performances such as poetry, singing, guitar, story-telling and piano.

We expect it to be a fun event, and hope you bring your friends!

If you have questions, or would like to be one of the performers at the event, contact Roger Horn at ro********@ya***.com.

This year’s picnic is at Lion’s Park, Aug 12, from 4-7 p.m.

The Annual Summer Picnic has been held at Lion’s Park by the ENA for as long as any current board members can remember (so at least 20+ years, if you can confirm earlier please let us know!). It is sometimes a small affair, and other years larger with organized activities (We apply for Neighborhood Block Grants but do not always receive them).  It always includes a main dish (burgers or hotdogs) provided by the ENA, with neighbors bringing side dishes and desserts. Various local businesses, such as Eastside Big Tom’s, Ralphs Thriftway and the Eastside Olympia Food Co-op usually donate items as well.

If you are interested in supporting the neighborhood in this event, here are things we need;

VOLUNTEERS: help is needed both ahead of the date and at the event. We’re especially looking for cooks! Ideally, we have two people at any one time prepping, cooking and serving.

FOOD!: Bring a dish or some chips or whatever you can contribute.

Contact us if you’re interested in any of these opportunities!

SECOND UP: Left Bank Pastry: 1941 4th Ave
We’ll walk together (some may prefer to drive or bike).

THIRD UP: Oly Malasadas: 100 4th Ave
TIP: The building used to be minty green; now it’s pink!

FINALLY: We’ll end up at the Swantown Inn: 1431 11th Ave
to cool down and share our faves.

Questions or more info? Call 515-537-6344

Your neighbours are hosting block parties all over our neighborhood.

• Potluck Dinner!
• Bring something for the grill!
• Plates, cups and utensils providied

The party hosts will provide some food and activities. Please bring your own potluck dish and/or beverage. People of all ages are welcome to attend. If you have a yard game to share, or a musical instrument you’d like to play, bring it! You may also want to bring a chair or two.

Locations:

• Lybarger – 10th to Union
• McCormick – 13th to 14th
• 5th Ave – Fairview to Edison
• South East corner of Lions Park