Each week, more than 1,000 households rely on the Ballard Food Bank for food, clothing and personal hygiene items. This year, the food bank is teaming up with several local businesses for holiday food drives. National Drycleaners (8757 Holman Road) is one of those businesses. Owner Mike Erstad says, “We have a responsibility as part of this community to make an effort to ensure that all its members have the opportunity to enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season. We are pleased to do anything we can to make that happen.”
View Ballard Food Bank drop-off locations in a larger map
The map above shows the holiday food barrels in green and the year-round food barrels in red. You can donate any shelf staple, non-perishable food items, as well as any hygiene items (shampoo, deodorant, etc.) to any of these locations.
Whittier Elementary, one of the “holiday” locations shown in green is accepting donations for the next two weeks. The food drive is a great way to teach the students about giving back to our community!
October saw between 4,000 and 5,000 people come through the little wooden building that houses the Ballard Food Bank. The numbers are particularly staggering when you consider that food distribution is only two days per week, and the clothing-hygiene section is open three. I've been volunteering there since last spring, while looking for work, and have seen the numbers increase nearly every week.
I'd just like to remind people that winter's a particularly hard time for the ever-increasing homeless and people struggling to hold on. Food, of course, is always needed. In addition to food, there is a real need for hygiene items and cold weather supplies. I'm not writing from any official position, and don't speak for anyone else, but here are some items, aside from food, that are always needed and in short supply:
Candles–people sleeping in cars, campers, outside, or without electricity need them for warmth and light.
Disposable razors,
Q-Tips
Deodorant
Shampoo/conditioner (we take partial bottles, too, use them to fill small bottles)
Trial size hygiene items, small enough to fit in backpacks
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Towels/washcloths
Hand soap
Laundry soap (we divide it up into smaller bags)
Aspirin, etc.
Cold medicine (no alcohol)
Vitamins
Socks (esp. men's)
Waterproof ponchos and clothing
Sleeping bags/blankets
Gloves, hats
Pet food
I am constantly amazed and profoundly touched by the compassion shown by our community. Thank you.