News

Spokane’s Diversity Hotspots: International Food

February 3rd, 2010

   Whenever I have food with refugees, they eat and serve things that I didn't know were available for purchase in Spokane, from sheep and really nice pita bread to long, dry sesame covered breadsticks. I decided to track down the origins of some of these food items, and while doing so found a true gem of a store: International Food, billing itself as Spokane's First Choice for Middle Eastern Grocery. Located at 3021 E Mission, a block and a half east of Chief Garry Park, this store is well known among refugees for having the foods they want to eat—and many foods that Westerners consider "specialty"—for very low prices. Bhutanese refugees have identified it as selling rice for the lowest price per pound in Spokane, even below bulk suppliers like the Cash and Carry. I bought several ounces of cardamom seed there for $5, which would have cost me more like $30 at Rosauers or Safeway. Cheap olives, spice mixes, cheap tahini, this place is a wonderful resource. If not the Trader Joe's of Spokane, it's damn close.

   Check out their website, and check out the store. You won't be disappointed.

Absentee Voting for Iraqi Refugees

March 9th, 2010

Iraqis got to vote for the Iraqi elections in countries across the world, including the U.S. Unfortunately, Spokane’s Iraqis didn’t receive this opportunity. Let’s keep an ear out, and in future years try to change that.

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ESL Tutoring

March 5th, 2010

What do YOU expect when you ask volunteers and refugees to show up in downtown Spokane on a Friday afternoon?

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World Refugee Update

March 3rd, 2010

The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo are currently home to the most recent refugee crisis in Africa. Also, Canada is trying to reject asylum seekers.

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