At our annual Breakfast on June 2, United Way of King County President and CEO Jon Fine opened the event with a report on the progress United Way is making to relieve hunger, end homelessness and to support children and families.

Some highlights of his speech:

• In the area of hunger relief, Jon discussed our new cannery project, which will enable surplus fruits and vegetables to be canned. It’s the first project of its kind in the Puget Sound region. When the cannery is fully operation, it will have the potential to produce 10,000 cans of food a week for local food banks. That’s more than half a million cans a year!
• Jon shared the story of Bo Knox, who became homeless because of health problems, and is now living in permanent, supportive housing.
• He highlighted efforts to support families with special needs children born with mental and physical disabilities by telling a story about a young boy named Noah who was diagnosed with autism.
• Jon talked about how he and his daughter participate in United Way’s Volunteer Reader Program and their experiences reading to preschoolers.