For the past 24 spring seasons, local nonprofit Bellevue LifeSpring has hosted the Step Up to the Plate Benefit Luncheon. This year’s luncheon, on Tuesday, April 28th, hosted at the Meydenbauer Center, marks the 25th anniversary. Bellevue LifeSpring works to break the cycle of poverty for Bellevue children and provide them with the resources they need to reach stability and thrive in the classroom and beyond.

The Step Up to the Plate Benefit luncheon exists to inform community members about the growing number of Bellevue children experiencing poverty and the support and impact made possible through the community’s awareness and generosity. Each year, the luncheon provides a platform for meaningful connections and conversations. It has become a cornerstone of community partnership bringing together hundreds of neighbors, colleagues, philanthropists, and local leaders who share a common goal: preventing hunger and homelessness and creating brighter futures for all children in Bellevue.

The luncheon began in the early 2000s and remains Bellevue LifeSpring’s largest attended event. It has steadily grown in both size and impact, welcoming hundreds of attendees each spring. “The annual luncheon started as a small fundraiser hosted by Bellevue LifeSpring Circle Members,” shared Trish Carpenter, a member of the One Circle. The One Circle is one of six local volunteer groups, known as Circles, that are made up of West Bellevue neighbors and dedicated community members.

“The event was much smaller when it started but there was so much interest from the community and the impact continued to grow each year, it became a spring tradition for the organization. As times shift, Bellevue LifeSpring continuously finds new ways to share stories and highlight the impact of the important work they do.”--Trish Carpenter

As the luncheon has evolved, so have the ways community members engage with it, creating opportunities for Bellevue neighbors to step into leadership roles and invite friends, coworkers, and neighbors to join them. “One of the most meaningful aspects of the annual luncheon is witnessing how all facets of our community come together to participate and actively take on leadership roles as table captains,” shared Kris Howard, Bellevue LifeSpring’s Corporate and Community Engagement Director. “With over 700 Bellevue neighbors expected to attend, our table captains represent local businesses, corporate partners, community leadership, volunteers, Bellevue LifeSpring Circle Members, and our colleagues across Bellevue.”

As Bellevue LifeSpring celebrates this milestone year, the luncheon also serves as a moment to reflect on the collective leadership that has sustained it for a quarter century. From table captains to longtime partners and first-time attendees, each individual plays a role in expanding awareness and driving meaningful, long-term stability for local children and families.

This year’s luncheon marks 25 years of growth, connection, and community-driven impact. Guests will have the opportunity to hear from a panel of community leaders, learn about the urgent needs facing Bellevue families and their children, and discover meaningful ways to help.

Bellevue LifeSpring’s luncheon remains grounded in the same spirit that shaped its earliest days: community coming together to make a lasting difference for Bellevue children.