On Jan. 15, United Way launched its biggest Free Tax Campaign ever.  Nearly 700 people joined the team as volunteer tax preparers, interpreters, intake volunteers and Bridge to Basics specialists. Together they’ve served hard-working, low income families by helping them access their greatest possible tax refunds and essential public benefits.

After just three weeks, here’s our first round of numbers:

• 75 families are on their way to receiving Basic Food (food stamp benefits)
• 2,400 tax returns have been filed.
• $4 million in refunds are coming back hard-working households in our community!

The Free Tax Campaign is in its eleventh year of serving King County residents. Behind these great preliminary numbers are the individual stories of an impressive team of volunteers and the families they’ve helped. As a member of this team, you’re trained to help a diverse group of clients file their tax returns or connect them with life-changing benefits like basic food, free and low-cost health care options, and even FAFSA for higher education. The best part of being on the team is putting new skills to use and helping to improve peoples’ lives. Here’s just one story, submitted by a Bridge to Basics volunteer at a tax site:

“A lot of people at the tax site I worked at were aware that benefits like food stamps and utility assistance existed, but they didn’t know they were eligible for them. In one situation, a woman who had recently immigrated from Russia with her three small children had no idea that these types of benefits and services even existed in our community. Finding out that she was eligible and helping her to complete an application [for basic food assistance] that would help her family brought tears to her eyes and really solidified my purpose with Bridge to Basics.”

Stories like these are part of what make the Tax Campaign so exciting. It’s not too late to join us!