Twice a week, hundreds of people in need from Burien and the surrounding region are served by Transform Burien, a not-for-profit organization operating out of the former Burien Community Center, the Annex.

Transform Burien originally developed in 2003 as an effort between christian pastors to unify the churches in Burien and the surrounding area. This effort first took shape as a weekly prayer meeting, but in 2005, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the group, then operating under the name We Care Northwest, worked with the City of Burien and a number of community leaders to gather goods to ship to the Katrina victims. The City opened the then vacant former Gottschalks department store, now the home of Burien City Hall and the Burien Library, as a drop off point for donations. These efforts resulted in the largest distribution center benefiting victims of hurricane Katrina in the Northwest. In all, the Burien distribution center sent five semi-trucks full of relief materials to victims in gulf states.

Following the disaster relief efforts, church leaders turned their attention back home in Burien and eventually established a separate non-profit organization called Transform Burien.

From the Annex, Transform Burien serves two hot meals each week, one on Sundays between 3pm and 5pm, and again on Wednesdays between 12pm and 2pm. Hot meals aren’t the only thing Transform Burien offers to those in need in Burien. Every Sunday the group opens a food and clothing bank where new and gently used clothing and non-perishable food is available for free. The clothing bank opens again each Wednesday.

Twice a month during their Wednesday hours, Transform Burien coordinates with King County Mobile Medical Unit to provide medical care to visitors who may need it. Additionally, one Wednesday each month, dental care is also available.

Transform Burien operates entirely on donations and volunteer time. On November 7th, the B-Town Beat Music and Art Walk will be asking attendees of their free monthly event to donate gently used clothing, sleeping bags and blankets, as well as non-perishable food to support Transform Burien’s efforts to support those in need in the Highline area. Participating businesses will be accepting physical donations. The event takes place between 4th Ave. SW and 10th Ave. SW on SW 152nd Street between 6pm and 9pm.

To learn more about Transform Burien or to make donations, contact Pastor Pat Foutz of Westside Christian Fellowship, by calling 206.427.5345 or by visiting the Transform Burien website at “www.transformburien.org” The Annex is located at 14501 4th Ave. SW in Burien.