The congregation at Edmonds Lutheran Church has stepped forward to support Edmonds’ Chase Lake Community School after it recently lost state funding for its Safety Net program, designed to help the school’s families in need. The church announced Wednesday that it has committed to covering $4,000 of the $8,000 needed to save the Safety Net Program for the 2012-2013 academic year — and church members are hopeful that local businesses, organizations and individuals will assist by contributing the remaining amount.

A total of 59 percent of Chase Lake families are below the Washington state poverty line, which is defined as living on less than $22,000 per year for a family of four. The Safety Net Program provides and coordinates a range of services for these families, including emergency meals at school, clothing, school supplies, transportation for students who are experiencing homelessness, an on-site food bank at the school, extra help with school work, and before- and after-school child care.

“For any child in our neighborhood to go to school hungry, to go without socks, to worry about what or if they are going to eat over the weekend….that is just simply unacceptable”, said Dr. Julie Josund, pastor of Edmonds Lutheran Church. “We are asking friends, local businesses, and other faith communities to meet us half way and make any contribution so that this very critical program can be preserved.”

Added Karen Nilson, Chase Lake principal: “Our Safety Net Program is visible evidence of a community taking care of its youngest citizens; making it possible for them to learn and grow into their hopes and dreams.”

Located at 21603 84th Ave. W. near Five Corners, Chase Lake Community School is a non-profit organization and donations are tax-deductible. Chase Lake will provide all donors with a receipt and tax ID number. Money donated for the Safety Net Program will be put into a designated fund solely for that purpose. Checks can be made out to ESD #15, Chase Lake Community School Safety Net Program, and the funds will be administered by the school budget committee.

“We have a strong and generous community in Edmonds, and we are confident that this is a small obstacle that can easily be overcome if we all work together.” said Dr. Josund.