How to Donate Food and Items

We appreciate each and every donation to help our neighbors! Donations are accepted at our warehouse door, accessed through our parking lot off 14th and 49th. We kindly ask that you only bring donations during the hours listed above, and ensure a staff member collects them. Please do not drop off donations when we are closed. You are also welcome to drop off donations with our community partners listed below!

*On Fridays, please pull up to the gate and staff will let you in.

For large-scale donations, please reach out to Food Donations Senior Manager, Lena at LenaH@ballardfoodbank.org to arrange a drop-off.

Please note: As of March 2025, we no longer need donations of egg cartons.

What do we need the most?

Our wish lists below are a great guideline for giving year-round. Right now, we are most in need of the following items:

• Pasta and rice

• Canned meat

• Peanut butter and jelly

• Canned vegetables, fruit, and beans

• Side dishes (mac & cheese, ramen, Rice-A-Roni)

• Soup

• Cereal and oats

• Diapers and toilet paper

Shop Online

You can purchase many of our top items at Costco and other online retailers and have them shipped directly to Ballard Food Bank, ATTN: Warehouse, 1400 NW Leary Way, Seattle, WA 98107.

See also our Amazon Wishlist for items our neighbors currently need!

Drop off donations with community partners

Want to collect donations for Ballard Food Bank at your business? Contact LenaH@ballardfoodbank.org for a donation bin!

GUIDELINES FOR WHAT DONATIONS WE ACCEPT

Read our nutrition guidelines here.

Yes

• Non-perishable, unopened cans and packages of food

• Fresh produce from your p-patch or garden, including vegetable starts (see note)

• Open or unopened packages of cat and dog food

• Open or unopened hygiene items like shampoo and lotion

• Reusable brown paper bags with handles and heavy-duty plastic bags

No

• Perishable items

• Clothing (beyond gloves, hats, socks)

• Items that are past date

• Open containers of food

• Homemade items (such as jams and jellies, baked goods)

• Anything that requires distribution under the care of a physician

• Empty, small medicine or vitamin bottles

• Light plastic grocery bags

• Cold or ice packs

• Egg cartons

Notes: Items from home gardens are welcome. If possible, we ask that you trim off muddy ends, and portion and label items in bags or with ties.

We accept gloves, hats, and socks when the weather is cold. Please donate other clothing items and anything in large quantities to other organizations such as Aurora Commons, Queen Anne Helpline, or Mary’s Place.

Thank you for your support!