In brief: SCRAPS offering free dog houses, accepting donations

SPOKANE COUNTY – Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services are offering free dog houses and asking the public to donate new or gently used dog houses for the cause.

Dogs and cats get cold in severe temperatures just like humans do. According to SCRAPS, a good rule to follow is if the temperature is 20 degrees or less, dogs should have limited time outside. Cats shouldn’t be outside at all when temperatures are that low.

When temperatures are above 20 degrees, it is important for animals outside to have a shelter.

To receive a free dog house or to donate, call SCRAPS at (509) 477-2532.

CVSD kicks off ‘Adopt a Student’ program

SPOKANE VALLEY – Food for Thought, a program that supplies food packs to more than 180 students in the Central Valley School District, is kicking off an “Adopt a Student” program to provide half of the food costs.

The program works with the Spokane Valley Partners Food Bank, which purchases food through several grants and donations. To continue to serve current students and to expand the program, SVP will need a more stable and long-term funding source.

Residents in the Central Valley district can adopt a food recipient for $125 per year. That figure represents a weekly donation of $3.50 a week for 36 weeks – one half of the cost to supply food to a low-income student.

All funds received would be restricted to the Food for Thought program and administered by Spokane Valley Partners.

Donations can be made to Spokane Valley Partners, Food for Thought, P.O. Box 141360, Spokane Valley, WA 99214-1360.

For more information, email Pat Dockrey at pdockrey@gmail.com, or you can find Food for Thought online at svpart.org/foodforthought.

Girl Scout cookie sales begin Saturday

SPOKANE COUNTY – National Girl Scout cookie weekend begins Saturday. That’s when Girl Scouts in Eastern Washington and North Idaho begin pre-selling their famous cookies through March 20. Delivery takes place after March 20.

To connect with a Girl Scout in your neighborhood, call (800) 827-9478 or email cookies@gsewni.org

Union Gospel Mission holding career fair

EAST SPOKANE – The Union Gospel Mission’s fourth career fair is from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday at the UGM Chapel, 1224 E. Trent Ave.

More than 30 area businesses will be there with job offers and career advice for residents of UGM’s shelters.

Clients, who are part of UGM’s Life Recovery Program, already do a business practicum as part of job training.

Last year, 30 out of the 36 clients who did the business practicum obtained employment following their placement.

Camp Fire youth begin selling candy, nuts

SPOKANE COUNTY – Camp Fire Inland Northwest youth have begun their annual candy fundraiser selling candy and nuts through mid-March.

To find a candy sale near you, visit www.campfireinc.org or call (509) 747-6191.