The YWCA Central Food Bank currently serves 300+ food-insecure households in Central & South Seattle. Every Wednesday, 80+ volunteers pack and distribute over 6,000 lbs. of food. Food requests have increased and we have a waitlist of families who need help. Much of our food comes from institutional and government donors like Food Lifeline, NW Harvest and the USDA. We also rely heavily on our community for assistance – for both food and volunteers.
Volunteers who would like to host a food drive will connect with their communities for donations, collect and deliver the donations to the food bank. This is a great opportunity for school, work, church, and other groups.
Most needed:
• $25 and $50 gift cards to Safeway, QFC/Kroger, or Grocery Outlet. Gift cards empower families to purchase culturally appropriate food and items they need
• Canned soups, stews, and chili – vegetarian and meaty, pop-tops/pull tabs are best
• White rice (uncooked)
• Tuna and canned chicken
• Baby formula and baby food
• Diapers (size 5 and 6) and baby wipes
• Cash donations – used to buy protein, eggs, dairy, staples and high demand food items. Please contact us to make a cash/check donation.
Always useful:
• Top ramen – meat and vegetarian
• Pasta and pasta sauce
• Crackers – saltine/Ritz wrapped ‘packs’
• Peanut butter
• Jam, jelly, syrup, and honey
• Ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise
• Cooking oil
• Soy sauce, family sized bottles
• Salt and pepper sets
• Sugar
• Seasoning, spices and herbs
• Kid friendly snacks – raisins, fruit chews, granola/breakfast bars, nuts
• Ground caffeinated coffee
• Simple, inexpensive can openers
• Cleaning supplies – dish and laundry soap, all-purpose cleaner, sponges, mops and brooms
• Toiletries – full-sized* shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste (*hotel/travel sized toiletries can be triggering for clients who have been victims of sex trafficking)
What are the items the YWCA cannot accept?
• Any open food containers – where the seal has been broken or food has been partially consumed
• Expired food items
• Home prepared food, including jams, jellies and pickled foods
• Leftovers / open containers of home prepared food
