The Mercer Island Youth and Family Services “Giving From the Heart Breakfast” on Wednesday morning was a big success with approximately 500 people in attendance.

The Maren-Swenson Fund, administered by the Seattle Foundation, generously donated $25,000 to MIYFS. There were many other sponsors, and attendees had the opportunity to give through pledge cards available at the tables.

Some of the highlights included the fact that last year 320 high school kids working with King County provided 14,500 hours of community service on the Island. Also, the MIYFS Thrift Store brought in $946,000 last year compared to $2,300 the first year it was open.

The message was clear. There are people, even on Mercer Island, who are in need. Forty-seven percent of the folks who used the family and emergency assistance program through MIYFS, which help families struggling to pay rent and meet basic needs, were first-time users last year.

More people are using the food bank and mental health services than ever before, too. Food bank use was up 40 percent last year. MIYFS president-elect Daniel Eagen asked for support in this time of state and local budget cuts.

Eagen said one of the biggest issues is depression. Mayor Jim Pearman called for “acts of spontaneous kindness” throughout the coming year.

If you would like to help, shop at these following businesses today and they will donate 25 percent to support MIYFS. They are: Six Walls, Studio 904, Sahara Pizza, Pete’s South Mercer Chevron, MudBay, Alpenland, Island Books, Auto Spa Car Wash, Tatters and Lilly’s.

For more information on MIYFS or to donate online, visit www.miyfs.org.