Spokane United We Stand

08/20/2026

Wildfire smoke has unfortunately become a part of summer in Spokane and North Idaho—but we can be prepared.

Before heading outside, take a moment to check the current Air Quality Index (AQI) and wildfire smoke conditions, especially if you have children, older adults, pets, or anyone sensitive to smoke in your household.

Smoke Ready Spokane offers practical resources and simple steps to help you and your family prepare for and stay safer during wildfire smoke season.

Let’s continue to care for one another during this challenging time. Stay informed, follow evacuation orders if they are issued, monitor local air quality, and keep your loved ones safe.

💙 Stay safe, Spokane & N. Idaho. We’re in this together.

08/19/2026

08/14/2026

Yesterday, The Family Guide & Spokane United We Stand had the pleasure of participating in Central Valley School District’s 6th Annual Back-to-School Resource Fair at Mica Peak High School!
We’re excited and grateful for opportunities like this to connect directly with students and families and help provide essential resources and services throughout our community.

And we had the BEST volunteers!

A huge thank-you to Spokane Valley Deputy Mayor Tim Hattenburg and his wife, Becky, for rolling up their sleeves and spending the day serving families alongside us. We caught Tim sneaking a few extra candies to the kiddos more than once... which might explain why they were walking away from our table with the biggest smiles! 🍬😂

Another big thank-you to Hillary Pham, who has been volunteering with Spokane United We Stand since 2023 and continues to proudly represent and support Spokane’s ANHPI community.

We are especially grateful for community leaders who don’t just show up for a photo—they donate the gift of their time to engage with families, listen, laugh, serve, and connect with the people they represent.

Thank you, Central Valley School District, for bringing organizations, students, and families together for another wonderful Back-to-School Resource Fair. Here’s to a great school year! ❤️📚

08/10/2026

08/07/2026

I am one proud Mama...the Vietnamese youth and young adults, the Buddhist & Catholic community stepped up to answer the call and help.

We got it done! We have the following FREE home cooked meals for families displaced by the wildfires, fire fighters, and first responders.

PASTA PRIMAVERA (Vegetarian)
PENNE W/ MEAT SAUCE
PASTA SALAD (Vegetarian)
FILIPINO CHICKEN PANCIT (Gluten Free)
FRIED RICE
VIETNAMESE SPRING ROLLS
ISLAND STYLE BBQ RICE BOWLS
ZUCCHINI BREAD

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible team of volunteers from the Spokane Buddhist Temple, The Vietnamese Buddhist Temple, Spokane Diocese Catholic Young Adults, The Relic Project, Jonathan Bingle, Deputy Vice Mayor Tim Hattenburg, Becky Hattenburg, Maggie DiMauro, Mari Haworth, Jaqui Pierce, Ally Cat, and everyone else who generously gave their time over the past two days.

Your kindness, hard work, and willingness to serve our community made this effort possible. I'll be recognizing each of you individually because every contribution mattered.

A very special shout-out to Freda Gandy, Executive Director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center, for generously allowing us to store our excess food and supplies. Your support has been invaluable, and we are deeply grateful for your partnership.
Together, we are making a difference—one family at a time. ❤️

See us today at the Spokane Buddhist Temple from 1 to 4 pm.

08/06/2026

WILDFIRE RELIEF MEAL AND PRODUCE DISTRIBUTION TO BE HELD THIS FRIDAY!

SPOKANE, Wash. — The Spokane Buddhist Temple, The Family Guide, Spokane United We Stand, Mission Meadows Community Garden, Millwood Impact, Western Farms of Idaho, Charlie's Produce, Eggers Southhill, Vets on the Farm, Vietnamese Buddhist Temple, Coffman Engineers and Island Style BBQ, have come together to provide nutritious meals and fresh produce to those in need.

The distribution will include prepared meals, fresh produce, salads, and vegetarian options.

The event will be held Friday, August 7, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Spokane Buddhist Temple, 927 S. Perry St., Spokane, WA 99202. Please use the Perry Street entrance and enter through the north basement door.

Food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

This is one of several wildfire relief activities being planned by the community partners. Information about future events & projects will be announced as details become available.

Media contact:
Marguerite Di Mauro
[email protected]
509-768-9228

08/02/2026

Today, our family is grieving an unimaginable loss. My sister lost her home in the Old Trail Fire.

An entire neighborhood was decimated. Houses can be rebuilt, but the precious memories tied to those homes can never truly be replaced.

Our hearts are with every family affected by this tragedy, as well as the firefighters, first responders, and volunteers working tirelessly to protect lives and communities. We are deeply grateful for their courage and sacrifice.

Hold your loved ones a little closer tonight. Some families are facing this day with nothing but the clothes on their backs, yet we remain hopeful that together our community will help them rebuild.

Wildfire Relief Meal & Produce Distribution
The Family Guide, Spokane United We Stand, Mission Meadows Community Gardens and The Spokane Buddhist Temple - a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, are coming together to support families who have been displaced by the recent wildfires.

Thanks to the generous donation of fresh produce and herbs from Mission Meadows Community Gardens, volunteers will be preparing healthy, home-cooked meals along with fresh produce boxes, salads, and vegetarian meal options for families in need.

How You Can Help
💚 Donate: Financial contributions will help cover the cost of additional ingredients, and supplies. Donations are tax-deductible.
https://tinyurl.com/m28p3dke

📧 [email protected]
📞 (509) 928-9664

💚 Volunteers Wanted: We are looking for volunteers to help package and distribute meals and fresh produce.

Friday, August 7
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Spokane Buddhist Temple
927 S. Perry St.
Spokane, WA 99202

Every meal shared is a reminder that no family has to face this difficult time alone.

Together, we can provide nourishment, comfort, and hope to our neighbors who have lost so much.

Please share this post to help us reach families in need, volunteers, and potential donors. Together, we are stronger.