How Seattle-Area Families Can Give Back During the Holidays

The holidays are a great time to talk with your kids about the importance of giving and supporting our community. And what better way to teach kids about giving than by actually doing it! 

We’ve rounded up local opportunities for families — giving trees, toy drives, food drives and more — to get involved and make a difference for others.  

Donate toys and gifts.

• Toys for Tots delivers joy and send a message of hope to children. Donations are gathering at drop off spots and taken to a large warehouse where they are organized and distributed to the community. In 2023, 61,687 toys were distributed! The 2024 campaign kicks off on Nov. 1, 2024. Check the website or Facebook for updates and details. 
• Compass Housing Alliance provides essential services and affordable housing for unhoused and low-income people in the greater Puget Sound region. There are many ways you can be a part of the holiday giving program. You can purchase a gift card, give directly to the Holiday Gift Fund or purchase a gift from the Amazon Holiday Wishlist. There also are many volunteer opportunities for families, and you can find all the details on the website. 
• Support a family through the YWCA Gift Giving Program. The YWCA invites families to contribute by purchasing gift cards for children and providing a grocery gift card for their parents to purchase a holiday meal. Register no later than Nov. 25, 2024 and you will be matched with a family. King County donors can drop off gift cards at the Phillis Wheatley Branch (2820 East Cherry St., Seattle) on Dec. 4–6 between 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Donors in Snohomish County can drop off their gift cards at the Everett Regional Center (3301 Broadway, Everett) on Dec. 4–5 or at Pathways for Women Shelter (6027 208th St SW, Lynnwood) on Dec. 6, 2024.
• Throughout the holiday season, Wellspring Family Services in Rainier Valley offers several ways to donate to children experiencing homelessness. Among the options: Purchase an item from Wellspring’s Giving Together Amazon and Target Wish Lists, make a financial donation or sign up to volunteer.

• The Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank needs donations of gift cards for its Holiday Gift program, where families low on resources can get free holiday gifts for their kids. They are requesting gift cards in increments of $50 to Amazon, Fred Meyer and Target, allowing parents the dignity of self-selecting the exact items that fit their children. Gift cards are needed by Nov. 22, 2024
• Support Mary’s Place, an organization serving families experiencing homelessness. Mary’s Place operates a holiday giving program and is requesting gift cards for teens and parents or a specific gift for a child from their kids’ holiday gift list. All gifts should arrive unwrapped at the donation center (located at 4521 6th Ave S., Seattle) by Monday, Dec. 9, 2024.
• The Forgotten Children’s Fund is a local, all-volunteer-run organization serving families that are generally not aided by other outreach organizations. They accept monetary donations to buy toys, gifts, books and more for kids.

Donate money for clothing and baby gear.

• FamilyWorks partners with families to alleviate food insecurity and ensure they have resources and support to overcome systemic barriers to equity, build stable communities and thrive. You can donate baby and kid items to their Community Closet including baby, toddler and kid apparel; baby essential Items (bibs, hats, baby blankets, baby socks, etc.); small toys (infant soft toys). Donations are accepted at the Family Resource Center (1005 NE 67th St., Seattle) on Wednesdays and Fridays (see the website for details). Be sure to call at (206) 647-1790 or email to make sure they can accept your donation.
• KidVantage provides essential care, safety and health goods for children who are experiencing the stresses of economic insecurity, systemic inequities or family disruption. They accept donations of clothing for kids sizes newborn to size 14, maternity clothing (especially larger sizes), baby gear, shoes, bottles, unopened/unexpired formula, toys, diapers (new or opened packages) and more. Head to the website for more details about where to drop off donations (locations in Issaquah, Shoreline and Bremerton). 

• YouthCare in Seattle’s Ravenna neighborhood accepts monetary donations for teens experiencing homelessness. The organization is currently updating their in-kind program and have paused accepting physical donations. However, you an still purchase items directly from their Amazon Wish List to support youth. 
• WestSide Baby, located in White Center, is accepting donations of infant essentials, hygiene items and diapers, children’s essentials, toys and books, and apparel and shoes (see their website for more details). You can also purchase items on the organization’s Amazon Wish List.
• Donate clothing to youth experiencing foster care through Treehouse in Rainier Valley. You can also host an online drive to collect gifts for teens such as new clothes, shoes and accessories.

Donate food and personal care items.

• St. Vincent de Paul distributes food and toiletries to those in need. They accept unopened travel-sized toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, feminine hygiene products, laundry soap, dish soap and bar soap. There are donation centers in Seattle, Kenmore, Kent and Renton. Drop off times vary by location, see the website for more details. 
• At Urban Rest Stops unsheltered individuals and families can access running water and utilize restroom, shower and laundry services. You can donate new hygiene products, and there is a high need for new socks. See the website for details about how to donate. 

• Hopelink is accepting donations of shelf-stable produce at its five food bank locations in Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Shoreline and Carnation. The website has useful tips for organizing your own food drive with your family and friends, and Hopelink will provide posters to help increase visibility.
• AAA of Washington’s annual Soap for Hope drive benefits selected local charities, shelters and food banks with toiletry items donated through its brick-and-mortar stores. Drop off your donations of travel- and full-size toiletry items at any AAA stores in Washington and North Idaho; donations can be dropped off year-round. Due to health and safety concerns, all donated items must be new, unopened and in their original packaging.
• Queen Anne Helpline provides emergency food assistance and especially seeks pop-top cans of protein-rich foods, such as chili, beans and tuna, plus canned vegetables, peanut butter, pasta and jarred sauces, and more. Queen Anne Helpline also accepts personal care items and clothing donations (see the website for a full list of accepted items). Drop off items at the Queen Anne Helpline office (311 W. McGraw St., Seattle) on Mondays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., and Thursdays, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Call ahead (206-282-1540) to make sure someone is there to receive your donation.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published several years ago and was most recently updated with new content and images by ParentMap’s associate editor, Kari Hanson, in November 2024.