How to Donate Food and Items

ServiceMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursday
In-Kind Donation9AM-3:30PM9AM-6:30PM9AM-1:30PM9AM-6:30PM

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!

For large-scale donations, please reach out to Senior Food Recovery 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 Most-Needed Items wish lists below are a great guideline for giving year-round. However, this spring we are particularly grateful for donations of the following items:

  • Canned meat - tuna/chicken/salmon

  • Cereal 

  • Peanut butter 

  • Pasta 

  • Side dishes (mac + cheese, Rice-A-Roni, etc.) 

  • Dry dog and cat food

  • Toilet paper

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

  • 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. See our Giving Garden and Produce Wish List below for our most-needed produce items.

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!

  • Soups and chili (including low-sodium and ready-to-eat options)

    Pasta and rice

    Canned tuna, chicken, and salmon

    Shelf-stable regular and alternative milks

    Canned vegetables, fruit, and beans

    Dried fruit and nuts

    Individual oatmeal packets

    Single-serving and full box cereals

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

    Juices and water

    Sauces, condiments, and spices

    Peanut butter and jelly

    Dried beans

    Coffee and tea

  • Razors

    Laundry pods

    Bar soap

    Lotion

    Combs

    Tampons and pads

    Cough drops

    Toilet paper

    Deodorant

    Dish soap

    Body wash

    Tissues

    Vitamins

    Shampoo and conditioner

    Incontinence pads and underwear

    Cold/flu medication

    Pain medication (Ibuprofen, Aspirin, etc.)

    Diapers and baby wipes

  • Dry and Canned Dog Food

    Dry and Canned Cat Food

    Cat Litter

    Cat and Dog Treats

    We accept open bags of pet supplies!

  • Granola bars

    Organic mac & cheese

    Individual packages of nuts or trail mix

    Single-serve instant oatmeal

    Snack size fruit cups (in their own fruit juices)

    Baby soap and shampoo

    Laundry pods

    Diapers (sizes 1-6)

    Baby food

    Baby formula

    Diaper rash cream

    Baby wipes

    Childrens' Tylenol

    Fruit & veggie pouches

    Teething snacks

  • Beets

    Bok choy

    Cabbage

    Carrots

    Cucumbers

    Green onions/leeks

    Greens

    Herbs (trimmed & labeled)

    Jalapenos

    Lettuce

    Onions

    Radish

    Spinach

    Squash

    Sweet potatoes

    Turnips

Amazon wishlist

See our Amazon Wishlist for items our neighbors need!

Drop off donations with community partners