The Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle recently held its 4th Annual Summer Resource Festival at Jimi Hendrix Park, bringing together nearly 1,800 people for a day of food, entertainment, and community resources. Designed to support local families—especially school-aged youth preparing for a return to school—the festival has quickly become a signature event for the Central District.
“This event is about so much more than backpacks or meals—it’s about showing our young people that they belong to a community that will always show up for them,” said Ashley Pugh, Director of Communication & External Affairs for the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle.
What began as a modest community gathering just four years ago has grown into one of the largest family resource events in the city. This year, the Urban League and its partners served nearly 1,800 hot meals throughout the day—more than triple the 500 meals served at last year’s festival.
The Kids Corner was a central draw, offering pony rides, face painting, mural painting, bouncy houses, agility training, and a custom patch workshop. Organizers distributed more than 500 backpacks and 620 packs of school supplies, along with dental hygiene kits, ensuring students left better prepared for the upcoming school year.
Entertainment also took center stage, with performances by the Double Dutch Divas, the Electronettes Hi-Steppers Drill Team, and alumni chapters of the Divine Nine Black Greek organizations. This year marked the first collaboration between the festival and the annual Seattle Greek Picnic, strengthening ties with Black Greek life in Seattle and adding a new layer of cultural celebration.
Food vendors lined the park, representing the rich diversity of Seattle’s culinary scene. Families enjoyed dishes from Moe Vegan, Catfish Corner, C. Davis Texas BBQ, Just Like Home Caribbean, Dev’s Ice Cream, and Soul to Seoul Korean fusion.
“Our commitment to reinvesting in community includes supporting local businesses,” said Pugh. “It was wonderful to see so many families enjoying meals from vendors they might not otherwise encounter.”
In addition to fun and food, the festival highlighted economic empowerment. Fifty-seven local vendors set up booths offering products and services, while U.S. Bank hosted a Capitol Readiness workshop for entrepreneurs looking to strengthen their financial footing.
For the first time, the Seattle Seahawks served as the festival’s presenting sponsor, providing raffle giveaways and helping expand the festival’s visibility. Pugh said the partnership represented an important milestone.
“Having the Seahawks as our presenting sponsor brought incredible energy to the event and underscored how powerful collaboration can be when institutions reinvest directly into community,” added Pugh.
Now in its fourth year, the Summer Resource Festival reflects the Urban League’s long-standing mission to serve, uplift, and empower communities. Beyond providing essential supplies, the event creates space for joy, connection, and resilience.
“Our goal is always to meet people where they are,” said Pugh. “This festival is one way we do that—by making sure families have the tools they need for the school year, while also celebrating the culture, businesses, and organizations that make our community thrive.”
