Smokey Point Farmers Market hands out school supplies

The Smokey Point Farmers Market and local organizations helped to organize a school supply giveaway for local families on Aug. 14.

The market at 18825 67th Ave. NE, in Arlington, provided free shoes, folders, paper and other supplies during the giveaway.

"We love to do community activities and bring everyone together," said Anna Houston, one of the organizers for the market.

"This year has been so unique and unpredictable that we are trying to bring a little bit of normalcy for the kiddos," she said.

Market organizer Jamie Williams came up with the idea to support parents at the market.

"Parents are going through a hard enough time right now trying to find arrangements around working and their childcare," she said. "Some of them might not be able to afford the school supplies because they've been out of work for so long."

With so many families out of work and struggling to get by, Williams said it would be good a time to put something together.

"So this provides just some extra help for the families," she said. "In times like this, not knowing what will come next, a little bit of help can go a long way."

Local organizations chipped in to support the giveaway.

"We had a lot of support and people willing to donate and donate their time," said Houston.

Arlington restaurant Pizza Factory donated food for the volunteers who had to arrive at the market early for set up.

"We have Northside Shoes, which is a local company in Marysville, that is donating shoes for kids anywhere from kindergarten to 12th grade," said Houston. "We also have the Bryant Community Church that has done a school supply drive and they're handing out supplies."

Other groups provided funds to support the giveaway.

"Roy Robinson donated $1,000 to go toward school supplies and let us bring this brand new Tahoe to deliver the supplies," said Houston.

Long lines of families came out during the day to get shoes and supplies during the giveaway at the market.

This is the second year for the Smokey Point Farmers Market, which provides a weekly Friday market with food and other vendors.

Even with COVID-19 restrictions, organizers said this year went well with higher numbers of sales and people than last year.

There are two more weeks for the market which runs from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

More information about the market is available on their Facebook page at facebook.com/SmokeyPointMarket.