How to get food assistance & give support

Everyone should have access to nutritious food — it supports healthy development for children and lays the foundation for overall wellness across the lifespan. Explore our tips for accessing nutritional support and maximizing your food dollars.

Interested in supporting a local food pantry? Find out what donations are most needed as well as other ways to help.

• Visit 211.org or call 211 to get help
• Visit Food Lifeline to find a food bank near you
• Visit MaryBridge.org for family food resources
• Visit the Washington State Department of Agriculture or call 360-725-5640 to find a food assistance program near you

If you’re new to food pantries, here are a few tips to help you prepare:

• Check the pantry’s website for hours and any required documents
• Bring your own bags to carry groceries home
• Many pantries offer fresh produce, dairy, eggs and shelf-stable items like beans, rice and nut butters

Here are some strategies to help you shop smart and stretch your food dollars as far as possible:

• Inventory the food you currently have for meal planning
• Stock up on shelf-stable essentials like beans, rice, pasta, canned goods and frozen produce
• Try our free on-demand Food Budget and Meal Planning class for families

If there’s a formula shortage or you’re having difficulty accessing formula for your baby, you may wonder what to do. A good first step is to contact your child’s pediatrician or clinic — they can provide guidance on safe feeding options.

You can also:

• Contact the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program
• Explore resources and guidance from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH)

Please note that diluting formula (adding more water than directed) or making your own formula can pose serious safety risks to your baby.

Major food pantry distributors and conveners often have the most capacity to accept assistance through cash donations, food drives or volunteerism — and therefore may have the greatest impact. The most helpful and flexible resource people can offer is unrestricted financial support.

The list of food distributors below can leverage and transform donated dollars into truckloads of food, which is then sorted by volunteers and shared via the Mobile Market and with food pantry and meal program partners in our community. Other types of support like food drive donations and volunteers (especially drivers) are also welcome.

Pierce County

• Emergency Food Network

Spokane County

• Second Harvest

King County

• Northwest Harvest
• Food Lifeline

Yakima County

• Northwest Harvest

Thurston County

• Thurston County Food Bank

While food donations are appreciated, cash donations can have a significant impact. They allow hunger relief organizations to:

• Buy nutritious food in bulk at wholesale prices
• Prioritize high-demand items
• Fill inventory gaps quickly and efficiently

Food drives are a great way for schools, worksites, community groups and places of worship to join in ending hunger. Each food bank typically posts a list of most-needed items on their website. When possible, donate nutrient-rich foods:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Canned tuna, chicken or salmon
• Peanut butter and other nut butters
• Canned beans and lentils
• Brown rice, quinoa and whole grain pasta
• Shelf-stable milk or plant-based alternatives
• Low-sodium soups and stews
• Baby formula and baby food
• Cooking oils (olive, canola)
• Whole grain cereals
• Dried fruits and nuts

Updated: November 18, 2025.