Healthy Eating

Free Masks Available

Protect yourself, your loved ones, and the community during COVID-19 by wearing a mask. United General District 304 has FREE masks available to the community. To request masks, please complete this form. Masks will be mailed once a week.

Accepting applications through Dec. 18th for the 2021 program. Click to visit our FVRx website and apply!

Skagit FVRx is a FREE, year-long healthy eating program that supports folks with vouchers to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Participants and their families receive $30 per month for each person in their household (up to $150 per month), along with supporting nutrition education and connections to local resources for healthy eating and active living.

Visit our FVRx website for more information, to see if you qualify, and to apply for a spot in the program for 2021!

Still have questions? Contact Adele.Eslinger@UnitedGeneral.org. Hablamos español.

Basic Food (also known as SNAP)

Getting enough healthy food on the table each day is a struggle when times are tough. Basic Food gives income-eligible individuals and families an EBT Card (Electronic Benefit Transfer) to buy the groceries they need. Not sure if you qualify? The only way to know for sure is to apply.

Our friendly staff can help you complete an application over the phone. Call 360-854-7159 to make an appointment, or book an appointment online to apply for Basic Food. 

Have you heard of Skagit Gleaners? They rescue food from farms, grocery stores, restaurants, and wholesalers then redistribute that fresh food to their members. To give people a taste of all Skagit Gleaners has to offer, we are able to provide a one-time free pass (one shopping trip) good for up to 60 pounds of food. Complete this online form, or call 360-854-7159 to have a pass mailed to you (one pass per household while supplies last).

WIC (Women, Infants & Children)

WIC is for pregnant women, new and breastfeeding moms, and children under 5 years old. WIC provides:

  • Money (an EBT card) to purchase healthy food and formula
  • Breastfeeding support
  • Nutrition education
  • Health screenings and referrals

To adhere to social distancing recommendations, office visits are being held over the phone or over videoconference, and grocery money is being added to EBT cards remotely.

We are currently providing FREE DIAPERS, sizes newborn to 6, to our WIC clients at the Sedro-Woolley WIC location: Mondays from 9 am -12 pm and Thursdays from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

For information, or to apply for WIC, call us at (360) 854-0435, or visit our WIC webpage.

Find information on local food banks at: Skagit County Food Banks 

Recipes and Cooking Videos

Here are budget-conscious recipes you can prepare at home. These recipes are delicious and healthy, and allow your grocery dollars to go further!

Encourage your school-age children to help with the cooking (with appropriate supervision, of course).

Since 2014, Concrete Farm to School has built resilient students and families by providing access to healthy local foods, nutrition and culinary education, and hands-on gardening activities. We don’t expect that every student will become a farmer or a cook, but Farm to School helps young people, and their community, reach their potential. To learn more, donate, or volunteer, contact Rachel Muia at:
Rachel.Muia@UnitedGeneral.org.

Sedro-Woolley Farm to School

Introducing Sedro-Woolley Farm to School! This is a new and growing program to bring garden education, healthy foods, and resources to the public schools in Sedro-Woolley. Like us on Facebook and keep an eye out for resources and updates we will put out for you all this winter and spring! To learn more, contact Adele Eslinger at: Adele.Eslinger@UnitedGeneral.org

Our Harvest of the Month program highlights a local fruit or vegetable in your students’ classrooms and on the school salad bar each month (when school is in session). Taste tests are paired with fun farmer interview videos, familiarizing students with new foods and how they grow. During school closures due to COVID-19, our Harvest of the Month program has been turned into family recipe kits! See past recipes and cooking videos above.

We are currently providing FREE DIAPERS, sizes newborn to 6, to our WIC clients at the Sedro-Woolley WIC location: Mondays from 9 am -12 pm and Thursdays from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Please call ahead to confirm we have the diaper size(s) you need in stock: 360-854-7159

Vroom – Brain-Building Tips

A child’s first five years are when they develop the foundation for all future learning. Turn everyday moments into brain-building moments. Vroom provides free science-based tips and tools that help parents and caregivers give children a great start in life today — and an even better future.

Get tips like these, customized for your child’s age (0-5 years).

Three easy ways to access free Vroom tips!

Copyright 2019 Vroom, a program of the Bezos Family Foundation. Message and data rates may apply. See vroom.org/terms for terms and privacy policy. Text STOP to cancel.

PAX Tools

Choosing a non-verbal signal for positive and negative feedback helps a child correct their behavior! Using a silent cue with neutral body language offers guidance without creating a disruption or calling attention to (or reinforcing) undesired behaviors. Explain the signal and, after the lesson or activity ends, discuss any behaviors to allow opportunity for reflection and learning. Be sure to end with a compliment!

Watch this short PAX Tools video about how giving feedback with low emotional response brings about more of the behaviors we want to see and promotes peace, health, and happiness at home and in the classroom.

Find more Tips and other ideas for helping kids thrive, on Facebook at facebook.com/paxtools.

Help Me Grow Skagit

Help me Grow Skagit aims to offer families seamless access to community services and supports so they can easily connect to what they need, when they need it. With all the resources available, it can be difficult to know where to start! We invite you to call or text a local specialist at the new Family Resource Center to help guide you.

Call or text 360-630-8352
Email: HelpMeGrowSkagit@gmail.com Visit: HelpMeGrowSkagit.com

Additional Links

Helping Kids Overcome School Anxiety

FREE Webinar: January 13th from 1:00-2:30 pm

Being a kid in today’s world is tough. Being a parent… even tougher. Parents and caregivers can attend the FREE, live webinar “Back to School: Helping Kids Overcome School Anxiety and Build Resiliency” on January 13th from 1:00-2:30 pm. Taught by Sharon Saline, Psy.D., veteran psychologist and author, the webinar will discuss how to help our kids with worry and anxiety, and effective tools for tolerating uncertainty and calming down.

 

This training is provided at no cost to parents with funding from the Washington State Health Care Authority

Strengthening Families Program

for caregivers and youth aged 10-14

Are you the caregiver of a 10-14-year-old? Join us for a free, virtual Strengthening Families Program in 2021! Over seven weeks, families learn communication skills, stress management tools, and ways to connect. Available in English and Spanish.

For more information contact Erynn at: Erynn.Sendrick@UnitedGeneral.org

Choose from the following 4 program dates

DATES DAYS TIME LANGUAGE
Jan 25 – Mar 15 Mondays & Tuesdays 6:30-7:30 pm English
Feb 17 – Mar 31 Wednesdays & Thursdays 6:30-7:30 pm English
marzo 15 – mayo 3 lunes & miercoles 5:00-6:00 pm Español
Mar 21 – May 25 Mondays & Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 pm English

Community Suicide Prevention Trainings
Various class dates & times available

Suicide is everybody’s business. Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) teaches any adult (16+) how to support someone in crisis and get them to the help they need. Held over Zoom, this 60-minute free training talks about suicide myths and facts, warning signs for suicide, and how you can apply hope to save a life.

Click here to see the schedule and register for a training.

Save Lives with CPR

United General District 304 is now able to offer Adult & Infant CPR, AED, and First Aid classes to individuals, groups, and organizations in our community. Trainings are led by our own American Red Cross certified trainer, Stephanie Morgareidge, in a variety of formats and learning styles.
Email Stephanie.Morgareidge@UnitedGeneral.org or call 360-854-7179 (please leave a message) for more information.

Staying Active with your Family During COVID-19

It can be challenging to stay physically active right now but doing any activity you can, even just around the house or neighborhood, can improve your health. Walking, stretching, and getting outside can help reduce stress, improve sleep, and keep you and your family mentally strong. Below are some activities to keep you and your family moving this winter.

Outside

  • Walk around the neighborhood after a family meal
  • Go out to a local park or trail. Rain, shine, or snow,
    spending time outside in nature gives any activity
    a boost
  • Try a senses walk (see instructions on the right)

Inside

  • Put on your favorite music and have a family dance party
  • Try an online workout or yoga video from YouTube
  • Play an active video game with your kids

United Fitness Center is temporarily closed

Due to statewide COVID-19 precautions, United Fitness Center is temporarily closed.  We will re-open with safety precautions in place when conditions and state mandates allow. 

In the meantime, visit the Fitness Center website for stretches, exercise routines, and yoga practices you can do at home!

 

Trek for Treasure is a one-of-a-kind summer adventure for your family. With six hikes spread throughout the summer, and two intensity levels, this hiking adventure is designed for both beginning and experienced hikers. Whether you are new to hiking, a casual hiker, or an adventure enthusiast, Trek for Treasure is for everyone. Form a team of two or more and work together to complete hikes, collect clues, and solve puzzles to compete in the final treasure hunt! Click to visit the Trek for Treasure website!

Yoga for Every Body is a program for students with varying levels of experience and fitness. Everyone is welcome, and no previous yoga training is necessary! Our instructors are experienced and trained in the Iyengar method, known for its safety and adaptability. In-person classes are currently on hold but are typically offered 5 days a week with beginner through advanced classes. Classes are planned to begin again on March 23rd.  Click here to learn more

Skagit Trail Builders is a volunteer-led group that creates and maintains trails in our area. Their all-season work continues this year at Northern State Recreation Area as they build safe and accessible trails that can be enjoyed for years to come.

Learn more about what they are up to by following them on Facebook or checking out their website at: SkagitTrailbuilders.org

Engaged Youth and Communities section

Skagit has a new online resource for local opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery options. Visit SkagitRising.org today.

Protect Your Family

Help prevent accidental poisoning and intentional misuse of  medications by safely storing and disposing of prescription drugs. Year-round disposal sites are available throughout the county. Find locations to safely dispose of them near you by visiting: TakeBackYourMeds.org

Your Choices Matter

With families staying home and staying healthy, making sure our surroundings are safe is more important than ever. Storing current medications in a locking container and keeping track of the number of pills on hand helps prevent poisonings and misuse. And when medicines are no longer needed, you can now safely dispose of them through the US Mail with a medication return envelope.

For your convenience, click here to request a free locking bag or envelope that can be mailed to your home.

Made possible by funding from the Washington State Health Care Authority

Medication lock bag and return envelop

Youth In Action

Varsity in Volunteerism

Varsity in Volunteerism (ViV) encourages and recognizes high school students who give back to their communities through service. In the 2019-2020 school year, students from 5 local high schools served nearly 7,500 total volunteer hours despite the difficulties of COVID-19! Providing students with meaningful opportunities, skills to take on new challenges, and recognition for their efforts is important now more than ever. And although it looks a little different this year, ViV is still going strong.

Interested in how your student can join ViV? 
Know of volunteer opportunities for youth?
Contact: Hailey.Wright@unitedgeneral.org

WISH Club (We Inspire Safe Habits), is a youth-led, adult guided high school club that focuses on the positives in our community and finds ways that we can grow those positives to make our community even better! WISH Club is primarily based out of Sedro-Woolley High School, but is open to any high schooler who lives in Sedro-Woolley.

Contact Hailey Wright for more information about getting involved: Hailey.Wright@unitedgeneral.org

Concrete Prevention Posse

The Concrete Prevention Posse is a prevention club for middle and high school students. The CPP is a youth driven club where students pick the priorities of the prevention projects each year. In the past, students have led successful prevention projects around vaping, mental health, and suicide. The CPP began in 2014 and to date has had over 30 active members, raised over $2,000 dollars, brought in two guest speakers, held five Jam Nights, organized two student resource fairs, and attended over 15 youth leadership conferences. Our club is open to any student looking for an opportunity to improve their community.

Want to get involved? Learn how by emailing Erynn.Sendrick@unitedgeneral.org or Mitch Metcalf at mmetcalf@concrete.k12.wa.us

Community Coalitions

Sedro-Woolley RISE

Sedro-Woolley RISE (Rallying to Inspire Safe Environments) is a community coalition with a mission of reducing youth substance use and building a healthy Sedro-Woolley where all youth thrive. We sponsor trainings, work on local policies, provide resources to schools, develop campaigns, and more!

There are plenty of ways to get involved!

  • Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@SedrowoolleyRISE) for resources and opportunities to connect
  • Join a Coalition meeting. We meet the second Tuesday of each month from 3:00-5:00 over Zoom. Our December 8th meeting will have an orientation for new members.
  • Email Danika at Danika.Troupe@unitedgeneral.org for questions or links to meeting.

Concrete Resource Coalition

The Concrete Resource Coalition is made up of community members working together to support youth in preventing the use of alcohol, marijuana, tobacco/vaping, and other drugs. We research why teens use and seek to prevent use by building support systems for families, teens, and community members to increase coping, communication, and resiliency. We can’t do this work alone. We need all voices at the table. Please join us! We meet every 3rd Thursday of the month on Zoom at 2pm.

Please contact Coalition Coordinator Stephanie Morgareidge to receive links to meetings, learn more, and/or get involved! Stephanie.morgareidge@unitedgeneral.org or leave a message at 360-854-7179.

Stewarding Assets & Opportunities section

Free Face Masks

Protect yourself, your loved ones, and the community during COVID-19 by wearing a mask. United General District 304 has FREE masks available to the community. To request masks, please complete this form. Masks will be mailed once a week.