Donate Food & Supplies

Donation Drop-Off Hours

Lake City Location

206-367-3477

12736 33rd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125

Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Bitter Lake Location

206-413-8192

13000 Linden Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133

Thursday and Saturday
10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Hosting A Food & Hygiene Drive

Host your own community food and hygiene drive at your school, office, community group, or neighborhood! The drives greatly helps us keep our shelves stocked! In 3 years we have more than doubled the number of households we serve weekly, with an average over 1,100 households a week across our two locations.

There are just a few logistics to coordinate and you are on your way to directly support our neighbors and community!

To get started

Please connect with us before starting a food drive!

  1. Contact Anya, our Development and Engagement Coordinator, to plan your food drive! Email: anya@northhelpline.org

  2. Anya will provide you with materials and guidance.

  3. See our list of the most needed items that you can advertise to members of your community.

  4. Host your drive!

  5. Coordinate the drop-off of your donation with Anya.

  6. Ask for an in-kind donation receipt at drop-off.

Needed Items

Food:

Canned fruit (lower sugar option preferred)

Cereal (lower sugar option preferred)

Peanut butter (lower sugar option preferred)

Canned chili & Protein-dense soups

Ground coffee

Hygiene:

Infant formula (HIGH NEED ITEM)

Baby wipes (HIGH NEED ITEM)

Diapers sizes 5 & 6 (we’re stocked on smaller sizes), Pull-ups of all sizes

Menstrual pads and tampons

Adult incontinence products

Household Items:

Dog and cat food

Cat litter

Travel-size toothbrushes & toothpaste

Travel-size body wash and shampoo

New or CLEAN used grocery bags (plastic and paper) & Multi-use tote bags

Food & Non-Food Donation FAQ

  • We love fresh produce! North Helpline has wonderful partnerships with many local P-Patches, but we are always on the lookout for additional donations of fresh fruits and vegetables.

    If you are interested in donating from your personal garden or P-Patch, setting aside part of your garden for North Helpline, or want to collect extra produce from our north Seattle neighbors, contact:

    Louren, Food Access Director
    louren@northhelpline.org or 206.367.3477

  • Yes! You can shop our Amazon Wishlist here: https://a.co/cjUmPMe

    The following items must be new, unopened, unused, and not expired:

    • Sanitary supplies (menstrual pads and tampons)

    • Adult incontinence products

    • Baby cupboard items, especially infant formula

    • Wet wipes (bulk preferred)

    • Hygiene supplies (travel and full-sized)

    • Sunscreen

    • Shampoo

    • Toothbrush

    • Toothpaste

    • Deodorant

    • Floss

    • Razor

    • Soap

    • Laundry detergent

    • Toilet paper

    • We also accept New or CLEAN Used grocery bags (both sturdy plastic bags and paper bags) as wells as multi-use tote bags.

  • Yes! We regularly distribute dog and cat food to our clients’ four legged friends. We prefer pet food donations that are within the expiration date.

  • Unfortunately, there are some items that North Helpline simply cannot use. When considering donating to North Helpline, please refrain from donating any shelf-stable goods PAST a 1-year expiration date, medicines, clothing, and opened products.

    Items We Cannot Accept

    • Open food

    • Medications, supplements, & vitamins

    • Clothing

    • Car seats and strollers

    • Any food donations left outside while we are not open.

  • Lake City Location

    206-367-3477

    12736 33rd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125

    Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
    10:00 am – 1:00 pm

    When donating, please park in the yellow loading zone on 33rd Avenue, at the south end of the North Helpline building. If you need help unloading your donation, walk up the short driveway to the double doors, and either open the door or ring the bell. Someone from the warehouse or office will be able to assist you.

    It is crucial to North Helpline, the Low Income Housing Institute, and McDermott Place that the driveway is always left open and clear. Please do not park in or block this driveway, or we will need to ask you to move before unloading. Thank you for your understanding!

    Bitter Lake Location

    206-413-8192

    13000 Linden Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133

    Thursday and Saturday
    10:00 am – 1:00 pm

    When donating, please park nearby and find the Bitter Lake Food Bank on Linden Ave N. The food bank is located beneath the SHAG senior housing building on the corner of the ground floor. There is a narrow inlet street from the alley to the curb on Linden, and the Food Bank is on the corner of that street on the Linden Ave N. side.

Local Food Donation Bins

Non-perishable food donations only.
Must donate during their business hours.

Want to host a food collection bin?

Email: anya@northhelpline.org