If you want to donate food or become a community volunteer, here are 10 top food banks in King County you should contact!
1. Tukwila Pantry Food Bank
In 2001, three organizations—Tukwila Rotary, the Riverton Park United Methodist Church, and the Tukwila School District—came together to serve the 3 of every 4 families in South King County living below the poverty line. Three days a week in Tukwila, struggling families from Tukwila, SeaTac, and Burien can visit the pantry to receive fresh and canned foods.
Because of the dire need in the area, volunteers and donations are always in need at Tukwila Pantry. You can donate money to the pantry by check or online. You can also donate anything from the urgent needs list to the pantry directly. If you’d like to volunteer, follow the guidelines at this site, or contact the pantry directly.
2. Maple Valley Food Bank
The Maple Valley Food Bank in Maple Valley, WA, provide a farmer’s market-style food pantry on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, allowing eligible visitors to select their own food from the food bank’s stocked shelves. Up to four times in a month, visitors can use their ‘shopper card’ to select a predetermined number of items from shelves stocked with canned foods, breads, cereals, meats, pastries, dairy, eggs, and even fresh produce.
If you’d like to volunteer at the food bank, you can call them or stop by to register your interest. If you’d like to donate food items to the food bank, contact the food drive coordinator by phone or email. You can also donate money to the food bank by cash, check, or online giving; just follow the guidance posted here. Contact them using the information at the bottom of their webpage.
3. Rainier Valley Food Bank
In Seattle, the Rainier Valley Food Bank also provides a market-style shopping experience for those in the area suffering from food insecurity. Those who visit the food bank can choose from canned foods, dried goods, dairy, meats, and fresh produce. For those with unstable housing or who are unable to cook food, there is also a to-go food bag which provides one person with 1 to 2 meals.
Donating to the Rainier Valley Food Bank is easy: you can donate money online or follow the guidelines here for donating high need foods. You can also volunteer at the food bank in a variety of roles; you can check out the ones available here and apply. If you have any other questions, contact them using the information found here.
4. Des Moines Area Food Bank
Families in Des Moines, SeaTac, and the West Hill area of Kent can visit the Des Moines Area Food Bank once a month for food box containing enough canned, fresh, and frozen food to last 12-14 days. There is no income limit for visitors; anybody in need is served. Individuals can also visit the Produce and Bread Room every weekday morning to grab a selection of fresh and prepackaged breads and produce.
If you’d like to volunteer at the food bank, you can stop by any weekday morning or 3rd Tuesday evening. If you’d like to donate food or funds, you can do so following the guidelines set out here. Contact the food bank if you have any other questions or need to access food help.
5. Kent Food Bank and Emergency Services
Beginning in 1970, the Kent Food Bank and Emergency Services has provided food, clothing, and shelter to those in need from the Kent area. Every Wednesday and Friday, visitors can walk up between 10am and 1pm to collect a prepackaged box of food intended to help stretch those groceries families already have at home.
Potential volunteers can register their interest by completing the form found here. Want to donate food or clothing to the Kent Food Bank? You can find out what and how to donate here. If you want to donate money directly to the food bank, you can do so through their PayPal site. If you have any other questions or need more information, contact them here.
6. White Center Food Bank
Also in Seattle is the White Center Food Bank, founded in the mid-1970s to help local families overcome the economic recession and financial hardship. Now more than ever the White center Food Bank provides food provisions to help those struggling financially go without hunger. Washington State residents can attend the food bank three times per month to receive a prepackaged food box containing nonperishable foods and pantry staples (such as peanut butter and cereals).
The White Center Food Bank is always in need of community support. You can find out what and how to donate food here, while you can donate money directly here. You can apply to be a volunteer here. Contact the food bank to see what else the food bank has to offer.
7. Highline Area Food Bank
In 1995, seven churches in the Highline area came together and founded the Highline Area Food Bank, in Burien with the aim to help battle the rising need for food in Washington State. Once a month, those on low incomes can visit the pantry and choose from a range of foods such as breads, canned fruits and vegetables, dairy, proteins, and fresh produce (where available).
The food bank has a range of volunteer opportunities, from registering clients to helping them select their food; you can sign up using the form found here. To find out how to donate food or money, follow the guidelines found here. For all other questions or comments, contact the food bank here.
8. St. Vincent de Paul of Seattle
In Seattle, St. Vincent de Paul has been helping and feeding the people of Seattle and King County for over 100 years. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, King County residents suffering from food insecurity can visit the Georgetown Food Bank to receive a food box of pantry staples, as well as fresh produce when available.
Integral to St. Vincent de Paul’s mission is the connection to the community, both as a resource of help and source TO help. Volunteers, food donations, and monetary donations are at the core of this mission. For any other questions related to the food bank, contact the St. Vincent de Paul mission in Seattle.
9. Ballard Food Bank
Established by the Northwest YMCA, the Ballard Food Bank in Seattle has been providing food for those suffering from economic hardship since the late 1970s. Monday through Thursday, any person living in the Seattle area can visit the Ballard Food Bank and ‘shop’ the shelves for food or hygiene products, as well as also pet food and baby items, if needed. The Ballard Food Bank also provides no-cook food bags for those with unstable or no housing, a free café, and home delivery options.
With over 7,000 visits each month, Ballard Food Bank relies on help from the community. If you’re looking to donate food or funds, you can follow the information found here. If you’d like to volunteer at the food bank, you can choose from the available roles and complete the application found here. Contact Ballard Food Bank for any other questions or if you need help accessing services.
10. The Auburn Food Bank
In Auburn, WA, the Auburn Food Bank has been feeding those less fortunate in the Auburn area since the 1970s. Eligible residents can obtain a box of nonperishable items four days a week, between 9am and 1pm, with an evening service every second Wednesday of the month. For those suffering from homelessness or unstable housing, a community dinner is also available on Monday evenings at the First United Methodist Church in Auburn.
Volunteers and donations are what keep the Auburn Food Bank going and growing. Volunteers can call or stop by the food bank to apply. Information about how to donate food or funds can be found at this page. You can also contact the food bank directly if you have any specific questions.
Leave a Reply