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Get Involved|Food Drives

Hosting a Food Drive

Northwest Harvest advocates to create a more equitable food system, because we believe nutritious food is a human right.

Northwest Harvest has updated its Food Drive Program! We have restructured the program to center the community partners who ultimately receive the food that is donated. We are asking donors to host food drives to bring in items most needed by the community partners Northwest Harvest serves. We are encouraging food drive participants to join us in the food justice movement, consider the root causes of hunger, and give with intention. It is a fundamental value and mission of Northwest Harvest to build equitable access to nutritious food with dignity and respect for all in Washington.

Things to consider when deciding what to donate:

  • Give with respect. Please only donate items that are unopened and in their original packaging. Do not donate expired, damaged, or partially used products.
  • Consider the nutrient density of what you are donating. Opt for canned goods packed in water or items that are low sodium or low sugar.
  • When available, pop-top cans and other easy-open containers help make food more accessible.
  • Buy donations for your food drive at locally owned and independent grocery stores to support your community!
  • Avoid glass containers!

Additional ways to offer support in your community:

For Food Drive Questions:

Contact Leanne Myers, Procurement Administrator
leannem@northwestharvest.org | 253.478.7922

 

How to Host a Food & Funds Drive

Check out our guide on hosting a drive!

Ready to get started?

Fill out a food drive registration form to get started! If requested, a Northwest Harvest team member will then contact you to confirm details and provide support.

REGISTER YOUR FOOD DRIVE

Transportation options:

We have limited transportation capacity, primarily reserved for deliveries to food banks and meal programs we partner with. Northwest Harvest is unable to deliver supplies for food drives and can only offer to pick up collections on a very limited basis. We do consider your delivery as a part of your donation.

If you can’t make it to a Northwest Harvest location, we are happy to connect food drive hosts with a local partner program in your area to donate your food directly. This way you can support your local community and won’t have to travel as far. Non-perishable food items may also be donated at a drop sites, which are located throughout western Washington.

DROP SITES

Suggested Foods for Donation

Northwest Harvest welcomes donations of non-perishable food items (for donations of fresh items, please contact our Procurement Team). Please select shelf-stable foods that are low in sodium, sugar, and saturated fats.

Here are suggestions for high demand items by region and county:

Region I

Asotin, Columbia, Garfield, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Whitman
  • Meat proteins (canned)
  • Milk (shelf stable)
  • Vegetables (canned)
  • Fruit (canned)
  • Baking items (flour, pancake mix, sugar, oats)
  • Peanut butter
  • Pasta

Region II

Adams, Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Walla Walla, Yakima
  • Meat proteins (canned)
  • Milk (shelf stable)
  • Vegetables (canned)
  • Fruits (canned)
  • Cooking oil
  • Beans
  • Masa
  • Rice

Region III

Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Whatcom
  • Meat proteins (canned)
  • Milk (shelf stable)
  • Vegetables (canned)
  • Fruits (canned)
  • Bread
  • Pop-top canned items
  • Ready-to-eat foods
  • Homecare/paper items
  • Personal hygiene items