The holidays seem an especially important time to help our friends and neighbors in need. Every year, The Herald runs a list of groups and organizations that help those needy people and could use your donations of goods, time and money.
American Red Cross: Snohomish County Chapter, 2530 Lombard Ave., Everett, provides relief for victims of floods and earthquakes, and for fire victims throughout Snohomish County. This local chapter provides electric energy bill assistance for needy families through Project Pride. They also assist military families through the Armed Forces Emergency Services program, and teach first aid, CPR and other preparedness classes. Needs include money, bottled water, commercial-size cans of soup, coffee, fruit and computer equipment and supplies. 425-252-4103, ext. 24.
The Arc of Snohomish County, 1513 23rd St., Everett, supports people with developmental disabilities and their families. It needs nonperishable foods, toiletries, stocking caps, gloves and mittens, and gift certificates for perishable food for holiday baskets. New and used clothing, for children and adults, can be dropped off in the blue bin at the Arc address anytime. Hours are 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and by appointment Fridays. 425-258-2459.
Assistance League of Everett, Operation School Bell, 5107 Evergreen Way, Everett. This all-volunteer nonprofit organization provides new clothes to children in need in 14 school districts in Snohomish County through Operation School Bell. Other philanthropic programs provide services to those in need such as: financial support to graduating high school seniors, dental care for children and clothing for rape and assault victims. The organization needs quality, like-new clothes and household donations and new winter one-size-fits-all hats and gloves. 425-252-8671.
Big Brothers, Big Sisters is a nonprofit organization that matches adult volunteers with children ages 6-14 to create a friendship that offers support and guidance. BBBS needs $15 gift cards for each child in their programs to be given out Dec. 16 at the annual holiday party. They also need a sound system with microphone, a bullhorn, a color printer, a new vacuum cleaner, Polaroid cameras and Polaroid film, extra office supplies such as paper and toner, letterhead, envelopes, business cards, a tri-fold Velcro presentation display board, canvas bags, briefcases for staff recognition and for paperwork, new carpet and a cleaning service for the office. Drop-off hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 620 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 270, Everett. 425-348-5290.
Binky Patrol, Marysville. Volunteers make and donate quilts and afghans to children who are in need of comfort. The quilts are given to hospitals and various child care agencies throughout Snohomish County. Needs include people to help with sewing, donations of yarn, fabrics, batting, thread and money to buy supplies. 360-659-7198.
Camano Senior and Community Center, Camano Senior Services Association, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island, provides services to seniors and those over 18 years old with disabilities. Money is needed to help with emergency heating and food for the most vulnerable clients. 360-387-0222.
Cascade Gleaning Association is a non-profit corporation that locates and acquires consumable goods and other resources, including items designated as waste, to distribute among needy people in the community. CGA serves about 80 families who pick up items and bring them to distribution sites. They need: six ultralight folding tables each 6 to 8 feet long, a 44-cubic-foot outdoor storage shed, 10 50-gallon plastic storage bins with lids, 10 50-gallon storage bins without lids, two new refrigerators, two free-standing clothing racks for hanging clothes, 50 hangers, first-class postage stamps, case of copier paper, case of laminating sheets, and one combination key lock box. The organization is also looking for a new location in the Everett area to keep non-perishable food items and other goods. Call for details. 360-568-3660.
Catholic Community Services, 1918 Everett Ave., Everett, has several families available for adoption for Christmas. A wish list will be provided to people who would like to adopt a family. It may include warm clothing, toiletries and personal care items. Call Bruce Farvour at 425-257-2111 ext. 3320. CCS also needs volunteer drivers to deliver gifts to client families during this annual Holiday Project Dec. 19-23. Call John McAlpine at 425-257-2111, ext. 3374 or Virginia Taylor at 425-257-2111, ext. 3359.
Center for Battered Women, Everett. Provides shelter, clothing, advocacy, counseling, referral and information to victims of domestic violence and their children. Needs are new unwrapped gifts including: photo albums, picture frames, disposable cameras, stamps, long-distance calling cards, journals, slippers, pajamas, robes, new socks and underwear, watches, umbrellas, raincoats, gift certificates for clothes, food and shoes, stationery, hair accessories, hair dye, jewelry, tote bags, makeup, alarm clocks, bedding, new unwrapped toys, paints, paint brushes, glitter, colored pencils, crayons and books, sleeping bags, interactive games and books, paper towels, toilet paper, bottled water, pillows, and light bulbs (40- and 60-watt). These items can be dropped off 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays through Friday, or 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays at the New and Again Thrift Store, 3116 Rucker Ave., Everett. Please mark the gifts “Holiday Shoppe”; 425-258-4428 to schedule donation drop off. For more information call 425-259-2827 ext. 12.
Christmas House, located this year at the Everett Boys &Girls Club gymnasium, 2316 12th St., Everett, provides Christmas gifts to low-income Snohomish County families with children under the age of 18. Needs this year include new toys, coats, hats and gloves, teen gifts such as electronic products and sporting goods and houseware items. Volunteers are also needed. The store will be open 9 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays, and 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays on Dec. 3, 4, 7-11, 14-18, and 20 and 21. Cash donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 717, Everett, WA 98206. For more information about drop-off locations for toys and clothing, or to volunteer, check www.christmas-house.org or call 425-338-2273.
Class Community Service Project: Melissa Jensen, a teacher at Lake Stevens Middle School, makes quilts with her students and donates them to Snohomish County Foster Kids. This project is ongoing and the group needs scraps and yardage of fabric and backing and quilt batting. Call 425-343-7229.
Clothes for Kids, 16725 52nd Ave. W., Suite B, Lynnwood, is a non-profit organization that provides referred Snohomish County low-income children infant through 18 years old with free complete seasonal wardrobes of quality new and gently used clothing. This year they need gloves, mittens, socks, underwear, nightwear, slippers, shoes and boots for the winter season to fit children ages 4-14. Donation hours are 9 a.m.-1 p.m. weekdays, and 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Shopping hours are 9-11:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. 425-670-7285.
Cocoon House, 2929 Pine St., Everett, provides housing to young people and other critical care to youth, caregivers and families. It needs nonperishable food for Thanksgiving and Christmas, new scarves, hats, gloves and mittens, stocking stuffers, socks, underwear and art supplies. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 425-259-5802, ext. 7.
Compass Health: Compass Health has numerous programs throughout Snohomish and Island counties that provide mental health treatment to people of all ages. Call Compass Health, 425-349-8397. Needs this year include:
Adopt a Family Program: Adopt a family by providing for “one need and one want” for each family member. Nonperishable food and grocery store certificates are also needed. Tell Compass Health the size of family you can adopt and staff members will make a match. Cash donations are welcome; staff members will do the shopping for families in need.
Adult Crisis Centers: Adults recovering from mental health crises need care packages of personal hygiene items (no glass containers) as well as men’s and women’s socks, underwear and clothing of all sizes; comfort items such as slippers, lotion, stationery and stamps, arts and crafts items, books, music tapes or CDs, hats and mittens, and gift certificates. These will be distributed year round.
Children’s Crisis Facility: The Luther Children’s Crisis Facility needs teddy bears and bed pillows for children to keep when they return home. They also need books, educational videos, toys, arts and craft items, clothing, socks, underwear and other items.
Children’s Counseling and Foster Care Programs: Compass Health needs donations of “Atta-boy” and “Atta-girl” reinforcement items for children, including small toys, movie passes, sports tickets, swimming passes, fast-food coupons and other trinkets for children ages birth to 18.
Homeless Program: Compass Health’s Homeless Drop-in Center needs warm coats, socks, hats, gloves, mittens, sweaters, jeans, underwear and personal hygiene items (no glass or alcohol) for more than 200 homeless men and women. Clean blanket and sleeping bags are also needed.
Deaconess Children’s Services, 4708 Dogwood Drive, Everett, focuses on individual and group support, life skills education and parenting outreach programs aimed at breaking the cycle of child abuse and neglect. This year it needs sponsors for the adopt-a-family program called “All Wrapped Up” and donations of new, unwrapped toys and clothing, gift certificates and cash. 425-259-0146.
Edmonds Community College Foundation, 20000 68th Ave. W., Lynnwood, works with the college to provide educational opportunities through scholarships, support and advocacy. Every winter the foundation receives requests from students living on tight budgets who may need help to pay rent or a utility bill, buy textbooks or pay for child care. The foundation offers emergency scholarships so students can continue their education. The foundation also accepts car donations. Call 425-640-1274 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday to Friday, send e-mail to foundation@edcc.edu or check the Web at foundation.edcc.edu.
EquiFriends, a therapeutic equestrian program for people with disabilities, is dedicated to improving the health and life of children and adults in the community who are living with disabilities. More than 200 volunteers a week assist in therapeutic equestrian activities that take place from 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday at 4525 87th Ave. SE., Snohomish. Items needed include billing envelopes, Murphy’s Oil Soap, postage stamps, Neetsfoot oil, rainbow reins, AA batteries, vet wrap, Post-it notes, Elasticon, legal pads, Thrush X, three ring binders, show sheen, printer paper, driving harness, white out and a driving cart. Volunteers are also needed. Call 425-337-1137.
Equine Rescue Association, 2506-B 128th St. NE, Tulalip, provides permanent and temporary shelter to aged, abused, neglected and injured horses and ponies. The organization needs senior feed, chopped hay, alfalfa hay, sawdust, veterinary care, sponsors and volunteers, horse blankets cleaned and repaired, thrush medication, glucosamine, sand and gravel, tractor with loader, paint from leftover projects, and polo wraps. Visiting hours are 1-6 p.m. daily. 360-658-5494 or click on www.equinerescueassociation.homestead.com.
Everett Mall Tree of Giving: Each tree is decorated with tags bearing the name and holiday wish of a Snohomish County resident in need. To be a “Secret Santa,” select a tag or two from the tree and fill the request. Return wrapped packages by Dec. 22 to the tree in front of Mervyn’s. Boy Scouts will help sort and deliver packages before Christmas. 425-338-0380.
Everett Gospel Mission: The Everett Gospel Mission’s Women and Children’s Shelter, 5118 S. Second Ave., Everett, provides services for homeless women and children. It needs canned food, canned ham and turkeys for Thanksgiving. Clothing needs include diapers for newborns through size 5, pull-up diapers, footed sleeper pajamas, robes, socks and underwear for boys and girls, winter coats, pants, shirts, ear muffs, scarves, stocking hats, gloves and mittens. Call Kelly at 425-252-1297 ext. 234.
Families for Kids, 6708 Cady Road, Everett, is a network for current and former foster and adoptive families. It provides free information to those who may want to be support families for abused and neglected children. There are more than 16,000 children in out-of-home care in Washington state. Families for Kids is looking for businesses, offices and families to host Holiday Giving Trees for foster youth in Snohomish County. Call Nancy Underwood Long at 425-268-7145.
Food Lifeline, 1702 NE 150th St., Shoreline, WA 98155-7266, distributes food to nonprofit agencies to feed more than 670,000 hungry people in Western Washington. Donations of money, food and time are needed throughout the holidays. Go to www.foodlifeline.org, call 206-545-3663 or 800-404-7543 or send a check.
Granite Falls Firefighters Association is a nonprofit organization comprised of members of Snohomish County Fire Protection District 17. Last year the association donated almost 300 toys to children in need. They hold fundraisers throughout the year and also receive donations to pay for toys. They need new toys for children of all ages and cash donations. The association also gives out two or three $500 scholarships to high school graduates as well as supporting local Little League teams. 116 S. Granite Ave., P.O. Box 596, Granite Falls, WA 98252. 360-691-5553.
Granite Falls Food Bank, 215 S. Granite Ave., P.O. Box 1211, Granite Falls, accepts canned foods, as long as there is no rust on the cans, and all packaged foods. They also need fresh fruits and vegetables. The food bank has a walk-in freezer and will take fresh or frozen meat if it is not freezer burned. They also accept cash donations. Visitors can leave their donations at City Hall across the street if the food bank is closed. Hours are 9:30-11 a.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. 360-691-6202.
Healing the Children is a national, nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to providing medical care to needy children in our community and around the world. Foreign children are treated by volunteer medical teams in their homeland and other children are flown to the United States for donated specialized care. They need: an extra-large laminator (to make badges for medical team doctors when they operate at hospitals in foreign countries and for other educational purposes), a new computer monitor for the office, a 128 MB memory card for an Olympus D-560 digital camera (to take on medical team trips to photograph the children), a laptop computer for medical team members to take on trips and keep medical data on each child treated, a new color printer for the office and cash donation to go toward medications and medical supplies for children in the United States and on medical team trips. The Everett office of Healing the Children can be reached at 425-252-4505 or e-mail healing.orwwa@verizon.net or go to www.htc-or-wa.org.
Helping Hands, Local 292, 2810 Lombard Ave., Suite 100, Everett, builds wheelchair ramps and remodels doors and closets for seniors and disabled people. Money for its food bank and money and stuffed toys for its visit from Santa. Hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 425-259-5077.
Housing Hope, 5830 Evergreen Way, Everett, is a nonprofit organization that provides safe and affordable housing and services for low-income residents in Snohomish County. Families are in need of the most basic items, especially during the holiday season. Needs include non-perishable items only, grocery gift certificates, new and unopened toys with a focus on education and family togetherness, holiday wrapping paper, phone cards, gas vouchers, food vouchers, shoe vouchers, bus passes, baby food, baby formula, diapers in sizes 3, 4 and 5, personal hygiene items, first aid kit, towels, household supplies, flashlight and batteries, cleaning supplies, mops, and brooms. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. 425-347-6556.
Humane Society, Happy Paws Farm Animal Shelter and Sanctuary, 19933 Old Burn Road, Arlington, helps animals in need, particularly dogs. Among its needs are dry dog food (no colored pieces), canned dog food, mashed large dog biscuits (no colored ones), pet store gift certificates, volunteers, cash donations, weekends and late afternoon or morning foster care for dogs, a handy person to fix a leaky metal roof and help at food drives, people to purchase tickets for a fund-raising event Nov. 21 in Seattle. Drop-off hours are weekend afternoons until dark or by appointment. Call for directions. 360-652-5844 or shelter@saveourdogs.com or www.saveourdogs.com.
Lake Stevens Community Food Bank, 2111 117th Ave. NE, Lake Stevens, provides a food bank for ZIP codes 98258 and 98205. The food bank can best use money to buy food in bulk to feed as many people as possible. Hours are 10-11 a.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month and 6-7 p.m. every Thursday. 425-334-3430.
Little Red School House Early Childhood Developmental Centers, 14 E. Casino Road, Building C, Everett, and 3210 200th Place SW, Lynnwood. This organization provides specialized education and therapy services for children from birth to 5 years old, or at risk of developmental delays and disabilities. This year they need volunteers to decorate the schools for the holidays during the third or fourth weeks of November, new unwrapped educational toys for children up to 5 years old, volunteers to wrap children’s gifts, donations of scotch tape and Christmas wrapping paper. Hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Everett phone 425-513-1663 or Lynnwood phone 425-775-6070.
Lynnwood Alano Club, 4001 198th St. SW, Suite 6, Lynnwood, WA 98036, provides a social environment for families in a 12-step recovery program. They need gifts for children and Christmas stockings for their party in December. Hours are 10 a.m.-9 p.m. 425-750-9984.
Lynnwood Food Bank, 5326 176th St. SW, Lynnwood, serves residents in Lynnwood and south Snohomish County. The food bank is accepting donations of nonperishable food and cash to buy bulk food items. Checks should be made to the Lynnwood Food Bank. Donations accepted 8 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays. Call to schedule any other drop off. 425-745-1635.
Maltby Food Bank, 21104 86th Ave. SE, Maltby, P.O. Box 1256, Snohomish, WA 98296, primarily serves people in the southeast corner of the Monroe School District. The food bank’s needs include rice, pasta, macaroni and cheese, fresh fruit and vegetables, tuna fish, cereal and baby food, and other canned and dry foods. Drop-off hours are 8:30-11 a.m. and 2-5 p.m. Thursdays. 360-668-7900.
Marysville Community Food Bank, 6518 60th Dr. NE, Marysville, provides emergency food to clients in Marysville ZIP codes 98270 and 98271. The food bank needs volunteers and holiday foods for Christmas baskets. Christmas baskets will be handed out Dec. 20-22. 360-658-1054.
Matthew House, 16207 177th Ave. SE, Monroe, WA 98272, provides support services for families and loved ones of inmates at the state Department of Corrections. It needs Christmas gifts for children 1-7 years old, canned food, clothing for men, women and children. Unwrapped toys are also needed for Santa to give to children when they visit their fathers. Turkeys weighing 10-15 pounds and other holiday food items are also needed for families. 360-794-8720 or www. matthewhousemonroe.org.
My7Angels Foundation, a National Heritage Foundation, provides trained volunteer transportation services to people in crisis for free. They need: Off-street single parking near bus lines for staged individual cars waiting for daily use, secure parking for the foundation’s fleet of cars and trucks, volunteer drivers, data entry, accountants, auto mechanics, tires, parts discount and the time of any professional. Also needed is a body shop that wants to participate by donating their best work to the My7Angels fleet. The group also needs dry storage for collected items for free distribution events. My7Angels works in south Snohomish and north King County. 24-hour phone: 206-226-3704.
NOAH Center, 31300 Brandstrom Road, Stanwood, rescues dogs and cats from overcrowded animal shelters and adopts them to homes. It also provides a low-income spay and neuter clinic and offers professional grooming and dog training. It needs gas cards for rescue vehicles, copy paper, dish soap, laundry soap, dog grooming blower, and cat and dog toys. 360-629-7055, www.thenoahcenter.org.
Operation Lookout, National Center for Missing Youth, is a nonprofit organization that provides free services and referrals for families whose children disappear before age 18. Operation Lookout accepts monetary donations at 6320 Evergreen Way, Suite 201, Everett. Call 800-566-5688 or 800-782-7335 or visit www.operationlookout.org.
Pasado’s Safe Haven, Monroe, has a wish list this year for its rescued elderly and infirm dogs and cats at their AARFF program – the American Association of Retired Felines and Fidos. Needs include Costco gift cards (to buy litter and pet food) and Home Depot gift cards (to buy supplies for ramps and heated dog cabins) or PetSmart gift cards for all other animal needs. 360-793-9393 or go to www.pasadosafehaven.org.
Pathways for Women YWCA, 6027 208th St. SW, Lynnwood, provides shelter and housing, family support groups and community services for women and families in need. Pathways for Women needs sponsors for holiday meals and gifts, new gifts for children from infants to teens, new and gently used gifts for parents (to be given by their children), gently used winter coats, hats, mittens, scarves for infants to teens and adult women. Nonperishable foods only. Call Luanne Kunz at 425-774-9843, ext. 224.
PAWS, Progressive Animal Welfare Society, P.O. Box 1037, Lynnwood. Provides shelter to homeless companion animals, rehabilitates injured and orphaned wildlife and works to end animal abuse and exploitation. Needs include canned dog and cat food, Costco brand dry dog and cat food, Advantage topical flea treatment, nonclumping cat litter and litter pans, bleach, gift certificates from Lowe’s, Home Depot and Fred Meyer, Vari-kennels dog and cat kennels, latex gloves, heating pads, heat lamps without metal shade, and Pedialyte and Ensure. Monetary donations are also accepted. 425-742-4009, ext. 225 or www.paws.org to donate online.
Pilchuck Valley Chapel Community Closet, 15533 75th St. NE, Lake Stevens, is a food and clothing bank. The clothing bank is open for distribution 5-7 p.m. most Wednesdays and 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Thursdays. The food bank is open 12:30-2:30 p.m. Thursdays. Clients must live in the Lake Stevens, Granite Falls, Arlington or Marysville areas and must apply for the food box. The group needs dry goods, fruit and vegetables, new or slightly used Christmas gifts for children and monetary donations. 425-334-9558 or 360-691-7744.
Pregnancy Aid of Snohomish County is an all-volunteer, nonsectarian, nonprofit community service organization that provides free services to mothers, babies and young children, including maternity clothing, layettes, baby clothes, blankets, strollers, car seats and emergency supplies of diapers and formula, as well as emotional support. The organization needs supplies of newborn diapers, booster seats, volunteers and financial donations to support our services. Office hours are 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Thursday at the Everett Multipurpose Center in north Everett. For more information call 425-252-6444.
Project Self-sufficiency, 2722 Colby Ave., Suite 104, Everett, provides a range of services to low-income parents who are working on skills to enable them to support their families. Services include: needs assessment, action planning, counseling, resource referral, advocacy, support groups, newsletter, subsidized housing and emergency support vouchers. Needs include: gift cards, food cards and anonymous volunteers to be matched with low-income families for holiday giving. Hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. 425-388-7318.
Providence Children’s Center, Women’s and Children’s Pavilion, 900 Pacific Ave., first floor, Everett, offers therapy for developmentally delayed children and other children with special health care needs. It needs unwrapped new toys for children, from infants to age 16, new and used (good condition) children’s books and new children’s clothing, also unwrapped. Hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. 425-258-7311.
Providence Hospice and Home Care of Snohomish County, a health care and hospice agency, needs gift certificates for grocery stores for patients and families. Send to Debi Schmidt, Carousel coordinator, PHHC, 2731 Wetmore Ave., Suite 500, Everett, WA 98201. For questions, call the volunteer department at 425-261-4808 or Debi at 425-261-4738.
Public Education Foundation of the Edmonds School District helps students and teachers in the Edmonds School District. Drop off items 6 a.m.-11 p.m. at College Place Middle School, 7501 208th St. SW, Lynnwood. Items needed include used Legos, building products such as Capsela, Fisher Techic, used marbles, clay pots, National Geographic magazines, used footballs, basketballs and playground balls, new colored pencils, school supplies, calculators, rulers, four subscriptions to National Geographic magazine, headphones for computers, packages of sugar, flour, Rice Krispies and new or used musical instruments. 425-670-7311, ext. 4219.
Purrfect Pals, 230 McRae Road NE, Arlington, is a nonprofit, no-kill shelter for homeless cats. The organization needs cash, cat food, gift cards to pet stores, gift cards to Home Depot, Lowe’s and Costco, bleach, Simple Green, liquid laundry detergent, paper towels, volunteers to drive cats to off-site adoption centers, 12-inch ceramic tiles, the assistance of a skilled tile layer, postage stamps, phone cards, note cards, and plumbing and electrical services. Volunteers are needed to clean and to wrap gifts at Barnes &Noble stores or be Santa or helper at PetsMart stores. Hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday. 360-652-9611 or purrfectpals.org.
Salt of the Earth Food Bank, 1328 73rd St. SE, Everett, provides food for the homeless, low income families, senior citizens that live on fixed incomes, and kids on the street. They serve people in the Everett, Silver Lake, Mill Creek, Granite Falls, Snohomish and Lake Stevens area. Food bank workers prepare hot meals and sack lunches at 11:45 a.m. on Tuesdays at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Hoyt Avenue, Everett. They also make Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets as well as providing Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner the last Tuesday of November and December at the church. They need canned and dried foods, turkeys and hams for the holiday baskets. Cash donations are also welcome. The organization needs volunteers to pick up food throughout the year and to sort food. Staff encourage businesses and organizations to hold food drives and donate food to the food bank. All donations are tax deductible. The food bank is open seven days a week. 425-355-1042.
The Salvation Army, 2525 Rucker Ave., Everett, needs gifts for children 14-16 years old. It also needs holiday meat, perishable food items, gifts for seniors including bus tickets, stamps, stationary, scarves, hats and gloves and gift certificates for hair cuts and for grocery stores. Cash is always welcome. Call 425-259-8129.
Sky Valley Food Bank, P.O. Box 724, Monroe, gives food to needy families, children and seniors. It needs money to buy bulk food at low prices and food, as well as new and unwrapped toys and gifts for their “Precious Packages” toy drive. The holiday deadline for food and toys is Dec. 17. The organization is open to donors 8-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 5:30-7 p.m. Mondays. Please send monetary donations to P.O. Box 724, Monroe, WA 98272, or call 360-794-7959 for more information.
South Everett Neighborhood Center, 6315 Fleming St., Everett, is a nonprofit resource and family support center of Lutheran Community Services Northwest. It is open to everyone and provides a variety of programs and activities by engaging families in addressing the issues that affect their lives. It needs nonperishable food, new board games for teens and cash for holiday gift giving. It also needs volunteers to help with a winter holiday celebration 6-8 p.m. Dec. 9. 425-355-6005.
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 4312 84th St. NE, Marysville, is collecting food to be given to the Marysville Food Bank. Nonperishable food items can be dropped off at the church 10 a.m.-noon Fridays. Call 360-659-1727.
Stanwood Camano Food Bank, 8530 Cedarhome Drive, Unit B, Stanwood. This organization supplies food to clients in need. They also distribute Christmas gifts for all children of clients. This year they need food and unwrapped gift items. Hours are 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. 360-629-2789 or 360-629-3337.
Stanwood Senior Center, 7430 276th St. NW, Stanwood, is a nonprofit organization that promotes a healthy, active and independent lifestyle for older adults. They provide wellness programs, exercise classes, sewing, creative writing, painting classes and serve as the community center for subsidized lunches. There are 86 low-income apartments in two complexes on their campus as well as a thrift store. They need cash contributions to keep services funded. 360-629-7403.
The Trolley Community Band offers free concerts year-round in the community and offers a mentor program for student musicians. The band needs used music for a concert band and used musical equipment. 425-745-9121.
United Way of Snohomish County needs individuals or groups who can volunteer during the holidays and throughout the year. Call 425-921-3459 or click on www.uwsc.org and follow the links to The Volunteer Center.
The Vineyard Church in Shoreline is partnering with the Family Support Center for Ballinger Homes annual “Festival of Lights Party.” Ballinger Homes is an apartment community for lower-income families. Cash donations to purchase gifts for more than 100 children can be mailed to The Vineyard, 17712 15th Ave. NE, Shoreline, WA 98155. Please mark donations “Gifts.” 206-363-4003.
Volunteers of America, 1230 Broadway, P.O. Box 839, Everett, offers a variety of services to those in need including a food bank and holiday basket bureau. Food donation hours for perishable and nonperishable food items are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. 425-259-3192 ext. 223.
VOA hotline: The Community Information Line, a Volunteers of America program, is a source of community information such as holiday programs; 425-258-4227.
Windermere Real Estate-North Inc., 4211 Alderwood Mall Blvd., Suite 110, Lynnwood, in conjunction with Windermere Foundation, will adopt 12 families through Deaconess Children’s Services in Everett. It is looking for people who would like to help in the adopt-a-family program in Lynnwood, Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace. Donations for gifts and money for food certificates will be collected at Windermere in Lynnwood. Call 425-776-1119, ext. 245.
YWCA, Everett: Gifts and donations for the YWCA toy drive and giving tree will be collected at the YWCA Everett Regional Center, 3301 Broadway. Please leave gifts unwrapped and deliver before Dec. 13. An Adopt-a-Family program will also be offered to those who wish to be matched with a needy family and who can purchase holiday gifts for each member. Call Luanne Kunz at 425-774-9843, ext. 224.
YWCA, Marysville: Donations for the local food bank will be collected until Dec. 22. Also needed are $15 store gift cards for Big Brothers-Big Sisters and gifts for young children of military families. Donations will be accepted at the Sundaes with Santa Family Event 3-5 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Marysville YMCA. Donations can also be dropped off 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays, and noon-5 p.m. Sundays at 6420 60th Drive NE, Marysville. 360-653-9622, ext. 108.
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