Updated last: November 18, 2020
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 year 2020 will be an unforgettable year and not in a good way. It’s been a difficult year; job losses, loosing loved ones, struggling to keep food on the table, school stress and so many more challenges.
Did you know that back in 2019 1 in 9 Washintonians struggled to put food on their tables? 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 Sound my home!
Please check out the list below for holiday and winter assistance;
South Sound Holiday & Winter Assistance
This has been such a difficult year 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!
If you’re looking for ways to get free food near Tacoma year round, please check out my list that I’ve been trying to keep up to date. From the Food is Free Project to local farms that have available food for free.
THANKSGIVING MEALS
Anywhere
Please reach out to your child’s school counselor for assistance if you haven’t already.
Anywhere
Where: Local Buy Nothing Group & Helping Hands Washington FB Group, Others Helping Others in Pierce County Groups
What: Reach out to your local group if anyone has extra foods for Thanksgiving dinner or maybe someone’s giving a meal away.
Tacoma/Lakewood/Steilacoom/University Place Area
Where: PNW 2020 Thanksgiving Sponsor A Family
What: Connecting families in the local area who have been financially impacted by Covid-19 with sponsors for Thanksgiving dinner! If interested, please contact Carly through email Dinnerdonations@gmail.com or directly text me at 253-343-7922.
University Place
Where: Families Unlimited Network
What: Contact F.U.N. for information.
University Place
Where: Honey’s Healthy Hive
What: “Honey’s Healthy Hive would like to help a family/person/couple, in need this holiday. Possibly more than one, with enough support. If you know someone in need or are in need yourself, And live in the 253 area, Please let us know. You can nominate yourself or others by emailing us. Email is on our website. www.honeyshealthyhive.com Please enter this on the Subject line: “Yummy Thanksgiving” Cut off date is November 15th, 2020 for nominations. Check out more details on FB page. End date: November 15th”
Tacoma
Where: The Forum Tacoma, hosted by Tibbitsfernhill
What: “All inclusive Free Thanksgiving “Meal” for Folks and Families trying to make ends meet. I have reached out and will be doing this event in Downtown Tacoma at #TheForumTacoma on Thanksgiving Day between 11am-4pm I will be looking to feed 500 people doing to go only/pick up/No Dining in…..and we will have some delivery options for folks that cannot make it due the conditions we are facing.
Reservations ONLY – To make pick up reservations email Tibbittsfernhill@Outlook.com
with Name how many and what time you would like pick up!”
Tacoma
Where: Eloise’s Cooking Pot
What: The Making A Difference Foundation provides over 1,000 Thanksgiving meal boxes to those in need in Pierce County each year. These boxes are filled with all the traditional holiday trimmings needed for a family of four.
From November 9th – 13th, we will have our Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway Form up on the website. If you are in need and will benefit from a Free Turkey this Thanksgiving, please fill it out here: https://themadf.org/thanksgiving/
Tacoma
Where: 12910 Pacific Ave Tacoma WA 98444
What: “We will be giving away Holiday Food Boxes to everyone in need Saturday November 21st at 12910 Pacific Ave Tacoma WA 98444 starting at 11am till we run out.”
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: Please contact (253) 572-8452, they may be able to provide a dinner, takeout lunch bag and more. In some areas, prepared Thanksgiving meals and baskets are delivered by volunteers to families in need, including seniors or shut-ins, who can’t pick up the food themselves.
Tacoma
Where: BASH(Bikers Against Statewide Hunger) Food Bank
What: Please reach out to BASH for any information on a Thanksgiving meal.
Tacoma
Where: First Presbyterian Church
What: They’re are providing gift cards to families to purchase their own Thanksgiving dinner. Contact: Sheila McEvilly at sheilamcevilly@outlook.com (Thanks for sharing this info Eloise’s Cooking Pot)
Tacoma
Where: 9821 Ainsworth Ave So.
What: Drive thru Thanksgiving Giveaway(turkeys, grab n go food bags and food boxes), masks required. Monday 11/23 1:00pm
Puyallup
Where: Salvation Army Puyallup Corp
What: HURRY & REGISTER – Now accepting applications for Thanksgiving food boxes from the communities of Puyallup, Bonney Lake, Graham, Milton, Sumner and surrounds. Please call (253) 841-1491. Register for a Thanksgiving food box. The Salvation Army Puyallup will distribute food baskets next week (11/16-11/20). Please call Diane Warbus at (253) 841-1491. Serving Puyallup, Milton, Graham, Sumner, Bonney Lake and surrounds.
Fife
Where: New Horizon Church
What: We are hosting a free Thanksgiving dinner for the greater community. Served family-style, the dinner is an uplifting event especially for those in need, but all are welcome to join us including children of all ages!
When: Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at 6 PM – 8 PM
Auburn
Where: Athens Pizza & Pasta
959 East Main St.
What: Free Thanksgiving Meal Packed Up To Go! 9th Annual free thanksgiving meal to the community.
When: November 26 10am-2pm
South Kitsap Area
Where: Bremerton, Port Orchard, Silverdale area
What: Come enjoy a Thanksgiving Meal. Dinner will be served November 25 4:00-6:00PM call 360-373-3000 “Our goal is 250 meals throughout Bremerton, Port Orchard, and Silverdale.”
Thurston County (Olympia)
Where: 220 Thurston Ave NE 98501
What: Distributing holiday meal boxes Monday 11/23 and Wednesday 11/25 10am-3pm. Please remain in vehicle they’ll load it up for you. But community members on foot please line up outside along Thurston Ave.
EMERGENCY WARMING CENTERS & SHELTERS
Emergency Warming Centers, the 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
CHRISTMAS GIFT ASSISTANCE
Please reach out to your child’s school counselor for assistance if you haven’t already.
Local Buy Nothing Group & Helping Hands Washington FB Group
Details: Reach out to your local groups if anyone has stuff they want to part with or give away.
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 as seen on the example envelope below. Letters will be accepted Nov. 16 – Dec. 15.
Santa Claus
123 Elf Road
North Pole, 88888
Gig Harbor FISH Program
Details: Holiday Toy Program for kids ages 0-17 in the following zip codes. Register online or in person go to.
Toy Rescue Mission
Details: Christmas Program looks a little different this year, please check out the page for more info. We serve birth to age 15, children that live in Pierce County only, and be able to show proof of low income. Multiple distribution dates.
Salvation Army Rescue Christmas
Tacoma & Puyallup Area
Details: Please fill out the Angel Tree Application for your child or senior adult(62+), for Christmas assistance with help with gifts, clothing and food this Christmas are invited to register for The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program which shares wish lists with donors in the community. DEADLINE TO APPLY: DECEMBER 16.
The Peace Bus
Details: “The Peace Bus is proud to present: Santa’s Sleigh. For those families in Tacoma, Parkland, University Place and Lakewood who are struggling financially, have your child write a Santa Letter explaining what they’ve done this year to spread love, peace and joy! At the bottom of the letter have them ask for any gift, $50-under, that they’d like for Christmas!
Kids have from NOVEMBER 1ST to DECEMBER 1ST to mail in their Santa letters!!”
Santa letters can be mailed to:
THE PEACE BUS
PO BOX 862
TACOMA, WA
98401
Families Unlimited Network Community Christmas
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
Eloise’s Cooking Pot Food Bank
Details: TBD
BASH(Bikers Against Statewide Hunger)
Details: TBD
Toys For Tots
Details: Pierce County Toys For Tots will be happening this year, and the website will be updated in the next couple days. Here’s the link when it is live and I’ll try to update it as soon as possible. Stay tuned!
CHRISTMAS DINNER
Please reach out to your child’s school counselor for assistance if you haven’t already.
Local Buy Nothing Group & Helping Hands Washington FB Group
Where: Anywhere
What: Reach out to your local group if anyone has extra foods for Thanksgiving dinner or maybe someone’s giving a meal away.
University Place
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
Tacoma
Where: BASH(Bikers Against Statewide Hunger)
What: TBD
Tacoma
Where: Eloise’s Cooking Pot Food Bank
What: TBD
Tacoma
Where: Tacoma Rescue Mission
What: TBD
Tacoma & Puyallup Area
Where: Salvation Army Rescue Christmas
What: Please fill out the Angel Tree Application for your child or senior adult(62+), for Christmas assistance with help with gifts, clothing and food this Christmas are invited to register for The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program which shares wish lists with donors in the community. DEADLINE TO APPLY: DECEMBER 16.
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 beautiful one this year!
If you’re looking to help others this season, this is a great way to start. Reach out to any of the above.
What do you think?