Meghan Barnes of Seattle is a proud United Way of King County donor and executive director of Blue Star Families Puget Sound, the local chapter of one of the nation’s largest communities solely focused on supporting military-connected families.

In this latest installment of our Why United Way blog series, Meghan shares why supporting United Way of King County aligns with her mission to uplift underserved communities.

As someone who has spent most of her career developing corporate social responsibility giving portfolios and now leads a nonprofit dedicated to amplifying military family voices, I believe deeply in the power of community-driven, collective impact solutions.

I grew up in the greater Seattle area and has seen how United Way of King County designs intentional partnerships to combat hunger—through initiatives like Home Grocery Delivery, Breakfast After the Bell, and Free Summer Meals.

Food insecurity doesn’t exist in isolation. It intersects with housing, education, employment, and mental health. That’s why I admire United Way’s holistic approach and its commitment to partnering with grassroots organizations that know their communities best.

Through my time at Blue Star Families Puget Sound, I have seen firsthand how access to basic resources and social connections can ease the burdens for every member of a military family navigating transition. According to the Blue Star Families 2025 Military Family Lifestyle Survey, childcare challenges, food insecurity, and financial stability are some of the top issues our military families face. 

With Joint Base Lewis-McChord, one of the largest joint bases in the country, right in our backyard, and our Naval Base Stations in Kitsap, Whidbey, and Everett, we have nearly 90,000 active and reserve military members and 500,000 veterans living across Puget Sound. These military and veteran families are our neighbors, classmates, and co-workers.

I believe that when we invest in organizations that center dignity and equity, all of society benefits.  Giving isn’t just about generosity; it’s about strategy, sustainability, and showing up for one another.

That’s what drives me, and that’s why I stand with United Way.

To learn more about Blue Star Families Puget Sound, visit its website or email pugetsound@bluestarfam.org.