Oct 12, 2016 | Vol. 11 | No. 41
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 Healthier Food Options Coming Soon to City's Food Pantry
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Click to learn more about Lets Move! Mercer Island
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Following suggestions from community members, the City's Food Pantry, operated by the Youth and Family Services Department (MIYFS), will begin offering healthier food options and additional nutritional information in partnership with the Parks and Recreation Department's (MIPR) Let's Move! Initiative.
These new options include complex carbohydrates, leaner proteins, and fresh fruits and vegetables gleaned from the Mercer Island Farmers Market. Borrowing from Let's Move protocols, additional information about physical activity will also be available. MIYFS will seek to educate the community in efforts to solicit healthier pantry donations.
MIYFS Director Cynthia Goodwin points out "the link between physical and emotional health is clear. I'm very supportive of the partnership between MIYFS and MIPR to support the overall health of all Islanders, including those whose options might otherwise be limited to cheaper, but less healthy, food options when struggling to put food on the table."
Two years ago, the City joined the nationwide Let's Move! campaign, a comprehensive initiative, launched by First Lady Michelle Obama, dedicated to solving the problem of obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. Learn more about Let's Move on Mercer Island at: www.mercergov.org/LetsMove
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Statewide Earthquake Preparedness Day: Oct 20
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Click to learn more about being prepared for earthquakes
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At 10:20am on Thursday, October 20, thousands of Washington residents will practice how to "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" in the state's largest earthquake drill ever: The Great Washington ShakeOut.
Major earthquakes can happen anywhere you work, live, or travel in Washington, and we all need to be prepared. The annual ShakeOut drill is our chance to practice how to protect ourselves when an earthquake strikes, with a goal of preventing a major earthquake from becoming a catastrophe for you, your family, and your community. You may only have seconds to protect yourself in an earthquake, so frequent practice results in more successful outcomes.
The City encourages individuals, families, businesses, schools, colleges, and other organizations to practice their emergency plans and prepare. Learn more about the statewide program here. To learn more about emergency preparedness on Mercer Island, visit our City website.
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Medicine Take-Back Day: Oct 22
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Click to learn more about what is accepted
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The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the City of Mercer Island Police Department are once again coordinating a nationwide drug "take-back" day on Saturday, October 22, 2016 from 10:00am to 2:00pm at Mercer Island City Hall (9611 SE 36th Street).
Take drop-offs to the west side of the building, in the lower loading dock area. This one-day event provides residents with a no-cost, anonymous collection of unwanted and expired prescriptions (including narcotics) as well as over-the-counter medicines. Learn what is accepted here. Clean out your medicine cabinet! No marijuana or needles please.
Protect our kids, families and environment by properly disposing of your unwanted and expired medicines. Medicines in the home are a leading cause of accidental poisoning, and flushed or trashed medicines can end up polluting waterways and accumulating in fish because they can't be handled by sewage treatment plants.
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