NOTE: November 19, 2022 – I’ve begun updating this post with new information and dates for the year 2022. Stay tuned and be sure to save this post! Don’t wait though as some programs have already opened up registration.
The holiday season is a magical time; the cheerful lights and decorations, the excitement of giving, the anticipation of getting together with loved ones for delicious holiday foods. Unfortunately, for a lot of folks the holidays are a very stressful time. From food insecurities, financial burdens and pressure of gift giving, or where to stay dry and warm.
The past 30+ months have been unforgettable and not in a good way. It’s been a difficult time; the pandemic, shortages and inflation. It’s been tough!
Did you know 1 in 9 Washingtonians struggle to put food on their table. 1 in 6 children don’t know where their next meal is coming from. And hunger and food insecurities spike during the holidays!
This community we live in is so amazing and the willingness to help others even during a pandemic leaves me speechless! I’m proud to call the South Puget Sound my home!
Below you’ll find holiday and winter assistance for Pierce and Kitsap Counties.
PIERCE COUNTY & KITSAP COUNTY HOLIDAY & WINTER ASSISTANCE
This has been such a difficult time and if you need a helping hand please check out the resources below. If you are local to me and need any help in anyway, please reach out to me I’d love to help point you in the right direction if I can’t help!
Who says gifts have to be brand new, check out this list of upcycled gifts ideas, over 25 different ones.
If you’re fortunate to lend a helping hand this holiday season, there are a lot of awesome organizations below you can reach out to.
THANKSGIVING MEALS
- Please reach out to your child’s school counselor for assistance if you haven’t already.
- Please reach out to your local food bank to see if they have any holiday assistance programs. I’ll try adding any info that I’m aware of, but I may miss some.
- Local Buy Nothing Group(on Facebook & phone app) & Others Helping Others in Pierce County Group
What: Reach out to your local group if anyone has extra foods for Thanksgiving dinner or maybe someone’s giving a meal away.
- Pierce County
Where: Tibbitsfernhill (Located in Tacoma)
What: Reservations can be made Nov 1st 2022 by emailing Tibbittsfernhill@outlook.com Hours are 9am-10am-11am-12p-1pm 25 people an hour and to-go options will be available.
- Pierce County
Where: 9821 Ainsworth Ave South, Tacoma
What: 12th Annual Thanksgiving Giveaway – Free Turkey and Food Items, Drive Thru, Monday November 21, 4pm. - Pierce County – University Place & Puyallup
Where: Cheers bar & Grill – 7102 27th St. W, University Place and 4110 S. Meridian, Puyallup
What: Free turkey giveaway to the community. They’ll have 500 turkeys to give away at each location. Sunday November 20, from 11am-3pm. 1 turkey per car, first come first serve - University Place Residents
Where: Families Unlimited Network
What: Contact F.U.N. for information. They serve families in the University Place area. - Tacoma
Where: Tacoma Rescue Mission
What: Please contact the Tacoma Rescue Mission for any information about a Thanksgiving meal. - Tacoma
Where: Salvation Army Tacoma Corps
What: For more information about what assistance is available and service locations, contact The Salvation Army in Tacoma at (253) 572-8452. This program is on a first come, first serve basis. Registration is not a guarantee of services. - Tacoma
Where: BASH(Bikers Against Statewide Hunger) Food Bank
What: Please reach out to BASH for any information on a Thanksgiving meal box. - Parkland
Where: Parkland Food Bank/Parkland First Baptist Church 11222 10th Ave South, Tacoma, WA. 98444
What: They have a Thanksgiving giveaway for the community. Find out more. - Lakewood
Where: Loaves and Fishes Holiday Basket Ministry
What: A few churches have partnered together to serve families in the Clover Park School District (a total of 16 schools). Please contact your school to be added to the list. - Puyallup
Where: Salvation Army Puyallup Corp, Senior Center 4009 9th St Sw in Puyallup
What: Wednesday, November 23 12:00-1:00, They are having a hot served Thanksgiving meal. They will also be distributing Thanksgiving food boxes with a Turkey on Friday November 18th. Registration for Thanksgiving food boxes. - Fife
Where: New Horizon Church
What: Join us at New Horizon Church November 23rd at 6pm. We are hosting a free Thanksgiving dinner for the greater community. Served family-style, the dinner is an uplifting event especially for those who may not have Thanksgiving otherwise. 5600 Valley Ave E. Fife, WA 98424 - Gig Harbor
Where: Greater Gig Harbor Foundation/Thanksgiving Basket Brigade, 7191 Wagner Way Suite 102, Gig Harbor, WA
What: More information coming soon. - Key Peninsula/Gig Harbor
- Where: The Key Peninsula and Gig Harbor area
What: Food Backpacks 4 Kids, Communities In Schools & GNOSH Food Truck are partnering to provide local families in the community with a Thanksgiving Meal Kit. Please contact triciaendsley14@gmail.com to receive help this year. - South Kitsap
Where: South Kitsap Helpline Food Bank
What: If you are a South Kitsap resident in need of food assistance that’s not already being served by our agency, please come down to our food bank on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays between 12-5 and we will get you registered for the food you need! - Bremerton
Where: Bremerton Food Line 1600 12th Street, Bremerton
What: Serving those in the Bremerton School District. They provide holiday food baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas. - Bremerton
Where: St. Vincent de Paul, 1137 N. Callow Ave, Bremerton
What: Thanksgiving baskets for those in need will be available Friday, November 18th and Saturday, November 19th from 10:30-2:30. For smaller families we have chickens and for larger families, turkeys. We look forward to seeing you all! Sign up not required, just show up. - Kitsap Area
Where: Salvation Army Bremerton Corps, 832 6th Street, Bremerton
What: Community Thanksgiving Meal, November 24, 2022 from 1:00-2:00pm - Kitsap County
Where: Coffee Oasis Drop-In Center Locations; Bremerton, Kingston, Poulsbo and Port Orchard
What: Night of Thankfulness, join them for a free dinner for those ages 13-25. September 18th, 6-9pm. - Port Orchard
Where: THAT ONE PLACE Restaurant, 1397 Olney Ave, Port Orchard
What: By Donation. They serve a prepared meal on Thanksgiving for anyone that shows up and you just pay what you can.
CHRISTMAS GIFT ASSISTANCE
- Please reach out to your child’s school counselor for assistance if you haven’t already.
- Please reach out to your local food bank to see if they have any holiday assistance programs. I’ll try adding any local info that I’m aware of, but I may miss some.
- Local Buy Nothing Group(on Facebook and phone app) & Helping Hands Washington FB Group & New Beginnings Closet in Kitsap County
Details: Reach out to your local groups if anyone has stuff they want to part with or give away. - Your Local Fire & Rescue Department
Details: Most Fire & Rescue Departments host a gift assistant program, contact your local Fire Department for more information. - Operation Santa(USPS)
Details: To participate in the USPS Operation Santa program as a possible recipient of holiday gifts, all you have to do is write a letter, put it in a stamped envelope with a return address, and send it to Santa’s official workshop address. Santa is now accepting letters! Send them in before adoption begins on November 28. Last day to mail letters is December 10. - Toys For Tots
(Pierce, & Kitsap)
Details: Pierce County Toys For Tots will be happening this year. Pre-Registration is required, beginning Oct 1-Nov 15. 0-17 year olds.
Details: Kitsap County Toys for Tots will be happening this year, please check the website for all the info. Pre-Registration is required, beginning Oct 10-Dec 9. 0-17 year olds. - Toy Rescue Mission
(Pierce County)
Details: We serve birth to age 15, children that live in Pierce County only, and be able to show proof of low income. If you quality according to all their guidelines, you don’t need to pre-register you just show up. - Salvation Army’s Hope Marches On
Tacoma
Details: Please fill out the Angel Tree Application for your child 0-16 years, for Christmas assistance with help with gifts. You will need to show proof of residency and custody of child. Sign up between October 31-November 30. This program is on a first come, first serve basis. Registration is not a guarantee of services. - BASH(Bikers Against Statewide Hunger)
Details: TBD - Families Unlimited Network Community Christmas (University Place)
Details: If you are a family with a Child in the University Place School District then you qualify. If your children are too young to be in school please contact our office directly for eligibility verification. Please contact your school counselor to register your family. If you do not have a child old enough for school contact us directly at 253.460.3134 - Gig Harbor FISH Program
Details: Holiday Toy Program for kids ages 0-17, find the list of eligible zip codes on their site.. Register online or in person go to. Distribution dates are December 16-17 - Children’s Home Society
(Vaughn)
Details: They offer holiday assistance for Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula residents. Please reach out to 253-884-5433 for more information. - Salvation Army’s Hope Marches On
Puyallup Area
Details: Please fill out the Angel Tree Application for your child 0-16 years, for Christmas assistance with help with gifts. You will need to show proof of residency and custody of child. Sign up ends December 9th. This program is on a first come, first serve basis. Registration is not a guarantee of services.
- Puyallup St. Francis House
Details: Please contact them for more info on their Christmas & Holiday Gift Giving program. Clients may fill out an adoption application between October 1st and November 5th of each year. All applications must be submitted by November 5th. - Puyallup Food Bank
Details: Sign-ups for the Christmas gift program usually begins 3 to 4 weeks before Christmas. The receptionist will be able to give you more information in the November/December time frame. - Coffee Oasis Drop-In Center; Port Orchard, Kingston, Poulsbo & Bremerton
Details: Youth and young adults (ages 13-25) participating in The Coffee Oasis programs in Kitsap County can fill out a gift request form at their local Drop-In Center by December 9, 2022.
Port Orchard: 807A Bay St
Kingston: 11212 WA-104
Poulsbo: 780 NE Iverson St
Bremerton: 822 Burwell St - Salvation Army’s Hope Marches On
Kitsap Area
Details: This program is on a first come, first serve basis. Applications were taken October 20-22 and distribution day is 17th. - Seabeck Christmas Toy Closet
Details: Shop in their gently used toy closet, open December 16-18th, 9am-5pm. Located at Seabeck Community Center, 13395 Lagoon Drive NW, Seabeck - Fishline’s Christmas Child
Poulsbo, Suquamish, Bangor, & Keyport
Details: This program is open to only those who live or work fulltime in Poulsbo, Suquamish, Bangor, or Keyport. Each child registered will receive a $50 Walmart Gift Certificate and $60 in Holiday Bucks which can be spent at participating stores in Poulsbo. Registrations for Christmas Child are open through November 16th. REGISTER HERE! Clients can sign up in person, online, at the front desk, by calling 360-779-5190, or by sending an email info@fishlinehelps.org - All Teens Matter
Kitsap & North Mason Counties
Details: The purpose of All Teens Matter is to help provide a Christmas to low income, homeless high school students in our county ages 13 to 18. Please reach out to Lanette Duchesneau at 360-710-2761 to get pre-qualified and get the paperwork. Call from 9am to 7 pm. Sunday through Saturday. Deadline to get paperwork in is November 1, 2022, so please don’t delay reaching out. - Outrageous Christmas/New Life Church
South Kitsap
Details: Website is live but not updated yet. When you’re able to, after December 1, you can post a need or give a need. - Kitsap Foster Care
Kitsap County
Details: If you’re a foster family in the Kitsap County area, reach out to Kelly Conway at treasurer@kitsapfostercare.org - South Kitsap Helpline Food Bank
Details: TBA
CHRISTMAS DINNER
- Please reach out to your child’s school counselor for assistance if you haven’t already.
- Please reach out to your local food bank to see if they have any holiday assistance programs. I’ll try adding any local info that I’m aware of, but I may miss some.
- Local Buy Nothing Group(on Facebook & phone app) & Others Helping Others in Pierce County Group
What: Reach out to your local group if anyone has extra foods for Christmas dinner or maybe someone’s giving a meal away. - Tacoma
Where: BASH(Bikers Against Statewide Hunger)
What: TBA - Tacoma
Where: Tacoma Rescue Mission
What: Please contact the Tacoma Rescue Mission for any information about a Christmas meal. - Tacoma & Puyallup Area
Where: Salvation Army
What: Please fill out the Angel Tree Application for Christmas assistance with food. Sign up for Puyallup BEFORE December 9th. Tacoma BEFORE November 30. This program is on a first come, first serve basis. Registration is not a guarantee of services. - University Place Area
Where: Families Unlimited Network Community Christmas
What: Christmas Meal Boxes Provided. If you are a family with a Child in the University Place School District then you qualify. If your children are too young to be in school please contact our office directly for eligibility verification. Please contact your school counselor to register your family. If you do not have a child old enough for school contact us directly at 253.460.3134 - Lakewood
Where: Loaves and Fishes Holiday Basket Ministry
What: A few churches have partnered together to serve families in the Clover Park School District (a total of 16 schools). Please contact your school to be added to the list. - Parkland
Where: Parkland Food Bank/Parkland First Baptist Church 11222 10th Ave South, Tacoma, WA. 98444
What: They have a Christmas giveaway for the community. Find out more. - Graham (Bethel School District families)
Where: Harvest House in Graham
What: They provide Christmas dinner boxes each year for designated families. These boxes are made to order for each individual family and their needs, coming fulling loaded with all the fixing for a full Christmas dinner. Contact Harvest House and/or your child’s school to see if you qualify. - Kitsap Area
Where: Salvation Army Bremerton Corps
What: This program is on a first come, first serve basis. Applications were taken October 20-22 and distribution day is 17th. - Kitsap County
Where: Coffee Oasis Drop-In Center Locations; Port Orchard, Kingston, Poulsbo and Bremerton
What: December 23, 6-9pm. Join us for a FREE Christmas dinner, games, caroling, and gifts (for ages 13-25, sign up by December 9 for gifts)! Bring your friends and family!
Port Orchard: 807A Bay St
Kingston: 11212 WA-104
Poulsbo: 780 NE Iverson St
Bremerton: 822 Burwell St - Bremerton
Where: Bremerton Food Line 1600 12th Street, Bremerton
What: Serving those in the Bremerton School District. They provide holiday food baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas. - South Kitsap
Where: South Kitsap Helpline Food Bank
What: If you are a South Kitsap resident in need of food assistance that’s not already being served by our agency, please come down to our food bank on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays between 12-5 and we will get you registered for the food you need! - Kitsap & North Mason Counties
Where: All Teens Matter
What: The purpose of All Teens Matter is to help provide a Christmas to low income, homeless high school students in our county ages 13 to 18. When you register for their program, along with Christmas gift help, you receive a holiday meal. Please reach out to Lanette Duchesneau at 360-710-2761 to get pre-qualified and get the paperwork. Call from 9am to 7 pm. Sunday through Saturday. Deadline to get paperwork in is November 1, 2022, so please don’t delay reaching out.
EMERGENCY WARMING CENTERS & SHELTERS
NOTE: This information may need updated.
Emergency Warming Centers, the Pierce County list can be found here. A warm place to be for all ages, please take a look at the list and find your nearest location.
Shelters & Residential Sites:
- Nativity House
Location: 702 S 14th, Tacoma 98405
Phone: (253) 502-2780
Limitations: Daytime Shelter
Bus Line: 1 with a 0.5 mile walk / 3 with a 0.3 mile walk - The Rescue Mission
Location: 425 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma 98402
Phone: (253) 383-4493
Limitations: None listed
Bus Line- 1 / 53 / 53A - Salvation Army Lodge
Location: 1521 6th Ave, Tacoma 98405
Phone: (253) 572-8452
Limitations: None listed
Bus Line: 1 - Victory Outreach
Location: 502 E Division Ln, Tacoma 98404
Phone: (253) 200-0857
Limitations: None listed
Bus Line: 1 / 42 with a 0.2 mile walk - YWCA
Location: 405 Broadway, Tacoma 98402
Phone: (253) 272-4181
Limitations: Serves victims of domestic violence
Bus Line: 11
Kitsap County(updated November 9, 2022):
Due to anticipated freezing weather conditions, four Kitsap County Severe Weather Shelters are open Wednesday, November 9. Additionally, special measures are being taken at the shelters to prevent the spread of viruses, including COVID-19.
Hours of operation will be from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. except as noted for the Village Green location. Guests will not be able to check into the shelter after 8 p.m. If no guests have checked into a shelter location by 8:00 p.m., that location will close for the evening.
The locations are:
- Village Green Community Center
26159 Dulay Rd NE
Kingston, WA
This location is open from 6:30 p.m. until 6:30 a.m. - Port Orchard United Methodist Church
725 Kitsap St
Port Orchard, WA - Gateway Fellowship, West Wing Building
18901 8th Ave NE
Poulsbo, WA - Silverdale United Methodist Church
9982 Silverdale Way
Silverdale, WA
Those needing transportation to the closest shelter can call 360-373-3000 to arrange for a ride before 7 p.m.
The Severe Weather Shelters serve anyone in our area who requires safe overnight refuge when hazardous weather conditions are expected. Further activations are weather dependent. Call 2-1-1 for information about the Severe Weather Shelter Program and details on how to receive text message notifications when the shelters open.
I will continue updating this post as I receive more information. So, please save this post and share it with your friends and family! And please email or comment here with any information you may know of.
Wishing you all a wonderful one this year!
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