Thanksgiving has passed and we are now officially into the holiday season. For some, buying Christmas presents is something that is an afterthought. You make a list, check it twice, and you go out and purchase your gifts in store or online. However, there are people who might not have it so easy. For some, gifts are at a premium. In addition, not everyone can go shopping for a nice Christmas dinner, especially if it's already a struggle to buy groceries regularly.
Throughout King County, there are Christmas assistance programs that are designed to help spread the holiday joy to families in need. These programs provide free clothing, gifts, and meals for families, especially families with children so that any money these families may have can be put toward bills and or other essential needs/ expenses. If you are reading this blog and you or someone you know could really use the assistance, please check out the list below of programs that might be in your area. As you might have heard plenty of times already, this year has been a difficult one, and may not get an easier during the holidays. However, as late rapper Tupac Shakur put it, "Through every dark night, there's a brighter day after that." Happy holidays and stay safe this season.
Hopelink – Redmond 16725 Cleveland St Redmond, Washington, 98052 (425) 882-0241 An on site Holiday Gift Room offers clothing, holiday gifts, toys, stuff, and more for Redmond and Sammamish area residents.
There is an additional location in Shoreline, Washington that covers low income, unemployed, and struggling families in that area. Food and hot meals may be served at Christmas as well. The address is:
15809 Westminster Way N, Shoreline, WA, 98133.
Dial (206) 440-7300 for intake or applications.
Hope Link is also at 11011 120th Ave NE, Kirkland, WA, 98033, dial (425) 889-7880 as well as 14812 Main St, Bellevue, Washington, 98007, main phone (425) 943-7555.
Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank Address is 179 1st Ave SE, Issaquah, WA, 98027 Phone number (425) 392-4123 The Caring Through Sharing store has toys, games, clothing, and more for children and students. Qualified families can shop for what they need.
Maple Valley Food Bank 21415 Maple Valley Hwy Maple Valley, WA, 98038 (425) 432-8139 Hot meals, groceries, and Christmas Gifts may be passed out. It is for children, students, and teenagers of the Tahoma School District, Maple Valley, Hobart, Ravensdale, and Covington Washington.
Mercer Island Youth and Family Services - Holiday Food and Gift Program 2040 84th Ave SE Mercer Island, Washington, 98040 Call (206) 275-7869
Multi-Service Center Address is 1200 S 336th St. Federal Way, WA, 98003 Phone number - (253) 838-6810 Provides free Christmas and holiday food for all clients. Volunteers and donations also can give gifts for children, ages 18 and younger. The program runs for qualified low-income Federal Way School District residents.
Storehouse at Real Life Church 26201 180th Ave SE Covington, WA, 98042 (253) 631-3038 Up to 2 free gifts, presents, clothing items or gift cards are for families with children living in Covington.
Eastridge Church - West Seattle Campus 4500 39th Ave SW, West Seattle Assembly of God Seattle, WA, 98116 Dial (425) 392-3253 There is a Toy House. A giveaway and holiday show take place.
Mount Zion Baptist Church - Jesse Owens Fellowship Hall 1634 19th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98122 telephone: (206) 322-6500 The program is known as Christmas Day of Caring. The charity has a holiday celebration, lunch and free Christmas toy giveaway in King County for children ages 12 and younger.
University District Food Bank Location is 5017 Roosevelt Way NE Seattle, Washington 98105 Main phone: (206) 523-7060 The Holiday Gift Program combines food boxes (at Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter) with holiday gifts for kids under the age of 18.
Catholic Community Services - Annual Holiday Gift Shop Address is 4250 S Mead St St. Edwards Parish, Seattle, WA, 98118 Dial (206) 445-5669 The gift shop is for pregnant women, including single moms. Kids needs to be under age of or just born, and they can get toys as well as free Christmas gifts. It is for low income and working poor families.
King County Toys for Tots This volunteer driven, Christmas gift giving program provides new toys to children from struggling as well as lower income households. Everything from clothing to games, dolls, trucks, and more may be passed out for those families that register and meet qualifications. Most of the application sites are at the Salvation Army, but other locations are as follows.
Kent Service Extension supports the zip codes of 98002, 98030, 98031, 98035, 98042, 98047, 98064, 98071, 98089, 98092, 98001, 98032. The address is 1209 Central Ave S Ste 145 Kent, Washington, 98032-7439. Call 253.852.4983.
Other application sites can be found online.
Salvation Army - Seattle Temple Corps There are a few social service offices in King County that run holiday programs. Please see below. Toy 'n Joy can distribute free toys, vouchers and food cards to income eligible families. Another resource known as Christmas Gift Bags For Seniors assist the elderly and homebound, and some delivered meals and gifts may be offered in King County too. The Giving Tree and Toy 'n Joy, or Angel Tree, is also in the region.
Address is 9501 Greenwood Ave N Outreach Ministries, Seattle, Washington, 98103, (206) 783-1226
Salvation Army - Social Services Department - East King, 911 164th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA, 98008. Dial (425) 452-7300.
911 164th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA, 98008, dial (425) 452-7300
Federal Way/Des Moines Salvation Army center is at 26419 16th Ave S, Des Moines, Washington, 98198, (253) 946-7933
1209 Central Ave S Suite 145, Kent, WA, 98032. Call this center at (253) 852-4983.
720 S Tobin St, Renton, WA, 98057, dial (425) 255-5969 for inake.
1101 Pike St, Seattle, Washington, 98101, telephone (206) 442-8363
Another Salvation Army Social Services Department is located at 9050 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA, 98106. Call (206) 767-3150 Ext: 102.
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul - Council of Seattle Area and local churches (206) 767-6449 The charity and its churches administer the Christmas Family Assistance program for King County residents. Free food, toys, hot meals, gifts and clothing may all be offered.
McNamara, J. (n.d.). King County and Seattle Christmas and free holiday assistance programs. Retrieved November 27, 2020, from https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/king_county_christmas_and_holi.html