To serve the community, Lake Sawyer Christian Church is holding Operation Share to provide comfort bags for foster children as well as food, clothing, and blankets for those in need. The collection will take place Feb. 1 in the Event Center at the church in Black Diamond. The public is invited to participate.

LSCC plans to initiate the biggest collection of needed items for the community that has ever happened in the church’s history. The church will collect non-perishable food, new gloves, new socks, new or gently used blankets, and new or gently used jackets for adults and children. Comfort bags for foster children will also be collected. Empty bags with instructions on filling (toiletries, underwear, pajamas) are available prior to the event. Children often come into foster care with nothing, and these bags help provide for their immediate needs.

Last year the church was able to collect more than 500 coats and 100 blankets, more than 1,000 pairs of gloves and socks, and 1.3 tons (2,686lbs) of food. Storage bins were overflowing with items as people generously kept donating.

“I was blown away by the community’s support and generosity to help those in need last year! I’m confident and excited we’ll be able to help out even more people this year,” said John Sullivan, Executive Director of Lake Sawyer Christian Church.

All items will be donated to local charitable organizations. Clothing and blankets will go to the Seattle Union Gospel Mission, Black Diamond Food Bank will receive the food, and the Department of Social and Health Services, Youth for Christ, and Olive Crest will receive the comfort bags for foster children.

Bring items to LSCC at 31605 Lake Sawyer Road SE in Black Diamond at 9a.m. (first service) or 10:45 a.m. (second service) on Sunday, Feb. 1.

For more information about this event, other community events, or about the church, visit www.lscc.org or call (360) 886-8045.