By Matt Wendland

The B-Town Beat will use their November 7 free Music and Art Walk in downtown Burien to gather nonperishable food and clothing for local not-for-profit organization, Transform Burien.

The B-Town Beat is an independent not-for-profit group of volunteers that formed in early 2013. Their mission is to utilize arts and culture in Burien as the catalyst to increase community and economic development. The group’s primary event is a free monthly Music and Art Walk that takes place on the first Thursday of each month from 6pm to 9pm in downtown Burien.

Last month at the October 3rd B-Town Beat Music and Art Walk, attendees welcomed seven new businesses opening in downtown Burien. Around 500 people attended and multiple eateries performing soft openings that night reached their occupancy limits while one business even completely sold out of food.

Phillip Feredinos, owner of The Greek House, a newly-opened authentic Greek eatery located at 113 SW 153rd Street, reported that many people who sat down for dinner at the event have returned many times. “We already have regulars. It feels like some people come back nearly every day,” Phillip said less than a month after the soft opening during the B-Town Beat event.

Transform Burien is a local not-for-profit organization that was founded in the early 2000’s as a cooperative effort to unify christian churches in Burien. Operating out of The Annex, the former Burien Community Center on the corner of S.W. 146th Street and 4th Ave. S.W., Transform Burien opens a soup kitchen, clothing bank, and food bank that serves hundreds of people in need in the Highline area every week. The group also partners with King County Mobile Medical Unit to provide free medical care twice a month and free dental care once a month and hosts a back to school back pack giveaway, a Christmas toy drive, and other special events throughout the year.

Transform Burien operates entirely off donations and volunteer's time to fulfill their mission of serving those in need in the Highline area.

Attendees of the November 7th B-Town Beat Music and Art Walk are encouraged to bring non-perishable food, blankets, tarps, sleeping bags, and gently used coats and winter clothing to donate to Transform Burien as they prepare for the holidays and winter months. All donations can be dropped off at participating Music and Art Walk businesses. In addition, B-Town Beat volunteer coordinators will accept donations, answer questions and hand out walking maps in front of HomeTask building at 611 S.W. 152nd Street.

This month over 25 local business and venues between 4th Ave. S.W. And 10th Ave. S.W. will participate in the Walk by hosting visual art, dance, photography, music, crafts, and other various forms of art. The Highline Historical Society will also participate in the event with their Hope in Hard Times exhibit at 216 S.W. 153rd Street.

To learn more about the B-Town Beat Music and Art Walk, Transform Burien, or download a walking map for the event, visit www.b-townbeat.com.