Thursday, October 1, 2026
CHELAN — For nearly an hour during the Feb. 10 Chelan City Council meeting, nonprofit leaders stepped to the podium one by one, each given five minutes to outline their work and make a case for continued city support, and each followed by questions and comments from the council.
The presentations marked the start of the city’s 2026 community benefit grant review process. Rather than folding the requests into broader budget deliberations, council set aside dedicated time to hear directly from each organization.
The result was an evening that underscored both the scope of need in the Lake Chelan Valley and the network of volunteers and professionals working quietly to meet it.
Stefani Morgan, representing Thrive Chelan Valley, outlined the organization’s three primary programs serving youth in Chelan and Manson: Thrive Cares, teen centers, and mentoring.
Thrive Cares provides tangible items such as clothing, food, athletic gear and other necessities for students. Teen centers offer meals, hygiene supplies and a safe place to gather. The mentoring program, historically focused on one-to-one relationships for middle and high school students, is expanding to serve youth as young as third grade and extending into college and early adulthood.
Morgan reported that in 2025, Thrive provided weekend meal bags to 187 students each week and fulfilled 446 Thrive Cares requests. The organization also registered more than 150 teen center participants.
Thrive is requesting $35,000 for 2026 to support program materials, meal bags, school supplies and expanded services.
“We are proud that we never had to say no to a student in the valley whose request met our criteria,” Morgan said. “Support from the city allows us to continue saying yes.”
Luke Wall, executive director of Only 7 Seconds, described the organization’s mission to reduce youth loneliness and strengthen connection through curriculum, school clubs and community engagement.
With city support last year, Only 7 Seconds launched clubs at Chelan High School and the Boys & Girls Club, translated its curriculum into Spanish and hosted workshops for parents and youth workers. Wall told council that students who participated in the curriculum saw an 80 percent reduction in reported feelings of loneliness over the past year and a half.
The organization is requesting continued funding to support programming in Chelan as it expands regionally.
Council members thanked Wall for his work and noted the importance of mental health and belonging for students in the valley.
Brooke Sanders and Sarah Hudkins spoke about the growth of Special Olympics programming in the valley since its launch in 2023.
The program now serves 10 consistent athletes in bowling and basketball, with opportunities to advance to regional and state competitions. Participation is open to athletes ages eight and older who have intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Sanders and Hudkins emphasized that the program relies heavily on volunteers and local fundraising efforts. City grant funds help cover facility rentals, uniforms and travel costs for competitions.
“It’s more than just athletics,” Hudkins said. “It creates connection for families.”
Special Olympics Chelan is requesting $5,000 for 2026.
Outgoing board president Jim Batdorf thanked the city for its longstanding support before introducing incoming co-presidents Sue Nadon and Shannon Leahy.
Nadon reported that in the past year the Lake Chelan Food Bank served 8,700 families and 22,500 individuals, delivered nearly 1,000 home food boxes and distributed 200 tons of food. The organization operates entirely with volunteers, logging nearly 6,000 hours of donated service from 85 volunteers.
The food bank spent an average of $34,000 per month on supplemental food purchases beyond what is donated by local partners.
Representatives noted that recent changes to federal SNAP requirements could increase demand for food assistance in the coming year.
Chelan Valley Hope Executive Director Tamra Hively and Board President Stacy Willoughby detailed the organization’s emergency assistance programs, rental support, outdoor pantry access and facilities that provide showers and laundry services.
During the most recent federal point-in-time homeless count, 17 individuals met federal criteria for homelessness within Chelan city limits, they said.
Hively explained that individuals using temporary overnight shelter structures must leave each morning and follow strict rules to maintain access. The organization also opens an indoor warming station when temperatures drop below 20 degrees.
City grant funds support rental assistance, insurance payments, car repairs and other emergency needs for residents with Chelan addresses.
After the final presentation, Mayor Erin McCardle reflected on the breadth of work represented in the room.
“One of our core values as a community is that we flourish with a sense of safety and support,” McCardle said, referencing the Lake Chelan community’s adopted core values. “With strong schools, excellent medical facilities, dedicated first responders, welcoming community centers, parks and a network of nonprofit organizations, Lake Chelan is a supportive and connected community.”
Council will deliberate on funding allocations in the coming weeks as part of the city’s 2026 budget process.
Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media
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