Talking about charitable giving — and okay, money in general — can be tricky. It’s awesome to support local orgs making a difference and see your dollars make an impact. It’s also rad to be on the ground with other volunteers giving your time to a cause you’re passionate about. But it also takes more and more resources just to live in Seattle, so a lot of us have to see to our own needs before we can turn to our neighbors. Still: As we know from watching our city struggle with some pretty hefty challenges (think our head tax debate, lack of affordable housing, record income inequality, etc.), money — and where it moves — can really matter.

» So we wanted to ask: What’s the last time you gave money charitably to support something local, and why? Big or small, it all adds up. Let us know here.

Need some inspiration? Here are some candid thoughts from your fellow readers about their most recent charitable gifts…

🗞 Natalie Singer-Velush: “For most of the 16 years I’ve lived in Seattle, I couldn’t really afford to make philanthropic donations in the traditional sense. My husband and I worked in local journalism and that, paired with starting a family, meant we had a really small amount of dollars some years — and absolutely no money other years — to donate. … We tried instead to approach contributing in other ways. … So we spend money at local movie theater over big chain, local grocers, mom-and-mom restaurants, local book stores and hardware stores, etc.”

🏘 Tyler Davis Jones: “As a local Seattle real estate agent, I’ve played a role in the rise of unaffordability and have financially benefited from this rising economy. … I feel it’s only right and just to contribute to those who can’t afford to live here and who have found themselves homeless. I’ve chosen to partner with the local tech-focused nonprofit, Samaritan, by donating 5% of my profits from every home sold. … If we as a community don’t individually respond to this crisis, we will lose what makes Seattle unique, progressive and accepting. But if we do choose to step into owning our part of this issue, we will be a North Star of community to the rest of the world.”

🛍 Alison Darcy: “I think many people in our generation don’t have excess funds for donations or don’t trust where the money is going. I do have a monthly donation set up for Planned Parenthood. A guy with an iPad in the street was the first successful person to waylay me coming out of a store. … I always say that money and time are the only things that make change. If you don’t give one you must give the other but giving what you are able is most important. Sometimes in life you don’t have the room and other times you are the hero.”

Know the last time you donated to an awesome cause? Tell us about it here. We may feature your story in an upcoming newsletter for our Evergrey Giving Guide. Thanks to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for making this project possible.

‘The rest of us shouldn’t sit on our secrets.’ For too many women, watching last week’s Kavanaugh hearings brought back memories of sexual assault. When the hearings were over, local Candace Faber made a big decision. “@senatorfain, you raped me the night I graduated from Georgetown in 2007,” she tweeted 20 minutes later. “I’m done being silent.” State Sen. Joe Fain said that didn’t happen, and that he welcomes an investigation. Meanwhile, Candace’s friends and even her mom are saying she told them about this years ago. Candace worked for the city ‘til last year, has been a longtime Evergrey reader and supporter, and a couple weeks ago wrote a post we shared here because it so boldly called on local influencers to move past the theater of politics. We’re keeping her in our thoughts as officials process her allegation. (Medium, KUOW, The Seattle Times)

‘Diversity makes us stronger as a nation.’ ⬅️ That’s part of a message that’s now playing over the loudspeaker at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Why? Because after nearly two years of anti-immigrant messages from president Trump, local leaders think it’s worth repeating. Even cooler: Case managers from local immigrant rights orgs like OneAmerica and World Relief Seattle will be let in to help our new neighbors with everything from housing to school for the kids. (Crosscut)

A somber kind of fall. While the leaves are turning brilliant crimson and orange and floating to the ground around town, you might be noticing some special golden leaves emblazoned on Seattle’s sidewalks. These metal leaves are to help us remember our neighbors who’ve died while living homeless — and members of the Homeless Remembrance Project have placed a total of 281 bronze memorial leaves in 15 locations around the city. Want to support the project with a donation or volunteer time? Learn how here. (The Seattle Times)

Shake things up. NYC’s favorite Shake Shack chain is coming to the Emerald City. When? There’s no official date yet. But this menu preview from Seattle Met has us drooling. Our city even has a special burger called the Montlake Double Cut, which is made with a local bun, cheese, and crowd-sourced beef. Bonus: It’s only available in Seattle. The desserts didn’t skimp on the local flavors, either. Their Seattle shake and concrete (a frozen custard with toppings) comes with mix-ins like chunks of sweetness from Phinney Ridge-based A La Mode Pies, Theo chocolate, and — get ready to swoon — croissant brittle from Fremont’s Sea Wolf Bakers. 😍 (Seattle Met)

BTW…

We’re looking for an awesome video producer to join our team here at The Evergrey to make A+ clips like this. If you’re that someone, get in touch.

Have a good one, all. –  The Evergrey