Ways to Give: How you can help in your community

Published 12:01 am Sunday, November 22, 2009

Snohomish and Island counties are fortunate to have scores of nonprofit groups that provide programs and services to children, families, seniors and others in our communities. Each depends, however, on financial donations, volunteers and other support. Here are some ways in which you can help make a difference.

Kids

Arlington Kids’ Kloset, 135 S. French, Box C, Arlington, WA 98223, needs gently used clothing and coats, sizes 4 through teen, along with new socks, underwear, gloves and hats. School-age children in the Arlington, Lakewood and Darrington school districts who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch are provided with school wardrobes twice yearly by the all-volunteer organization. Volunteers are needed. More info: 360-435-4875, http://arlingtonkidskloset.com.

Assistance League of Everett, 5107 Evergreen Way, P.O. Box 3825, Everett, WA 98203, is in need of gift cards to Kohl’s or Penney’s for the purchase of 2X and 3X size clothing for Operation School Bell, which provides clothing for kids in need from 14 school districts in Snohomish County. Assistance League runs a thrift store and also provides financial aid to graduating high school seniors and Everett Community College students. More info: 425-252-3011, e-mail contact@assistanceleagueofeverett.org or go to www.assistance leagueofeverett.org.

Big Brothers Big Sister of Island County, 913 E. Whidbey Avenue Oak Harbor, WA 98277, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors. Volunteers are needed to be mentors, board members, donate items to or sponsor events such as the Festival of Trees, Bowl for Kids’ Sake or Helicopter Golf Ball Drop. Monetary donations are also accepted. More info: 360-279-0644, www.bbbsislandcounty.org.

Binky Patrol, which meets in a private home in Marysville, provides quilts and afghans to Snohomish County infants and children who need comfort. Volunteer seamstresses are needed along with donations of fabrics, batting, thread or money to buy sewing supplies. More info: 360-659-7198.

Caring For Our Children Foundation’s NXT2NU Family Thrift Shop, 5612 Evergreen Way, Everett, is open 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The foundation gives grants to under-funded nonprofits serving at-risk children who are victims of crime, abduction, abandonment or abuse. The store is accepting cash donations and donations of clothing and household items and applications for experienced volunteer cashiers to work evenings and weekends. More info: 425-374-2635.

Christmas House, located again this year at the north Everett Boys & Girls Club gymnasium, 2316 12th St., Everett, provides Christmas gifts to qualifying low-income Snohomish County families with children through age 18. Volunteers, 50 for each shift, are needed. The store is scheduled to be open Dec. 4-21, but is closed Sundays. Cash donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 717, Everett, WA 98206. For places to drop off new toys for all ages, or to volunteer, call 425-338-2273 or go to www.christmas-house.org.

The GWTA-C Goldwing motorcycle group in Everett is collecting socks and underwear for children of all ages to be distributed at Christmas House. The donated items must be new, in their original packages, and may be dropped off at Everett Powersports, 215 SW Everett Mall Way. The clothing drive ends Dec. 5. More info: 206-362-4250 or Kathy@wingrider.net.

Lamoureux Real Estate is collecting new, unwrapped, toys and teddy bears as well as monetary donations to benefit Christmas House of Snohomish County. Through Dec. 21, donations are being accepted 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, at 1904 Wetmore Ave., Everett, WA 98201.

Clothes For Kids, 16725 52nd Ave. W., Lynnwood, WA 98037, expects to serve more than 4,000 Snohomish County children in need this year by providing free quality wardrobes and other resources. Urgently needed is winter clothing. For additional information, times to drop off donations or to make a financial donation, go to www.clothesforkids.org or call 425-741-6500.

Cocoon House, 2929 Pine St., Everett, WA 98201, focuses on preventing youth homelessness and provides shelter, transitional housing and supportive services to homeless and at-risk teens and support to their families. The nonprofit organization needs cash donations, gift cards for QFC, Safeway, Wal-Mart, Ross and Fred Meyer; movie passes, bus passes, new socks and new boxer briefs; USB or flash drives and pay-as-you-go cell phones or calling cards. More info: 425-259-3342 or e-mail kevin.mullin@cocoonhouse.org.

Deaconess Children’s Services, 4708 Dogwood Drive, Everett, WA 98203, has a holiday Adopt-a-Family program that matches families in need with individuals and groups who donate gifts, cash or gift certificates. Also needed are volunteers to work in the child development program for kids through age 8. For gift sponsorship or to volunteer, call Stacey Pfeiffer at 425-259-0146, ext. 101, or e-mail spfeiffer@deaconesschildren.org. Cash donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 2629, Everett, WA 98203.

The Farm Ministries youth outreach program has its Christmas “Miracle on 92nd Street” party set for 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 for local shelter kids and parents. Needed are volunteers of all types, entertainment and donations to purchase food, presents and stocking stuffers. Checks can be mailed to The Farm Ministries – Christmas Gifts, 11212 92nd St. SE, Snohomish, WA 98290. More info: 360-568-5120.

Haven For Life Ministries is a nonprofit organization providing a home for pregnant teenage girls and teen moms with their infant. The program includes counseling, education, computer training, life skills, job readiness, birthing classes, pre-natal care, adoption coordination and parenting classes. For a list of ways to help and what is needed, go to www.havenforlifeministries.org or call 425-418-8315

KidsDream of Snohomish County helps local foster children. Community donations of clothing for infants to teens are being collected until Dec. 18 at Dow Insurance Agency, 122 State Ave., Marysville, WA 98270. Especially needed are pajamas and socks for sizes newborn to 18. More info: 360-653-5561 or www.kidsdreamofsnohomish.org.

Matthew House, 16207 177th Ave. SE, Monroe, is an ecumenical hospitality house for children who have parents in prison. It provides food, clothing, transportation and support to families. Donations of gloves, scarves, hats and mittens, canned food, turkeys, food baskets for the holidays and Christmas gifts for children are needed. To donate money, send checks to P.O. Box 201, Monroe, WA 98272. More info: 360-794-8720 or www.matthewhousemonroe.org.

Northshore Christian Church, 5700 23rd Drive W., Everett, WA 98203, has its annual Christmas Day of Sharing for more than 180 families from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 12. Unwrapped gifts for children through age 18 are being collected through Dec. 11 at the church. More info: 425-407-1119, ext. 1015.

Operation Lookout National Center for Missing Youth 6320 Evergreen Way, Suite 201A, Everett, WA 98203, provides free services for families with missing, runaway or abducted children. To make a year-end cash donation to child search programs, call 800-566-5688. Download posters or request mailing labels featuring missing children, go to www.operationlookout.org.

Project Linus, 5023 10th Place W., Everett, WA 98203. Snohomish County chapter volunteers provide quilts, fleece blankets and afghans for seriously ill and traumatized children in Snohomish County. Needed are new, homemade, quilted or tied, knit or crocheted machine washable blankets. Volunteers are needed to donate time at work parties or Make-a-Blanket days. Donations of batting, fabric, thread, yarn, sewing notions, sewing machines and cash are needed. Donations can be dropped off at Pacific Fabrics, 10203 Evergreen Way, Everett; Needle & I, 2931 Rucker Avenue, Everett; Mary’s Quilt & Fabric, 5128 Fobes Road, Snohomish; or Rosehill Community Center, 304 Lincoln Ave, Mukilteo. More info: 425-252-4524.

South Snohomish County Holiday Toy Shop expects to help more than 450 families this year on Dec. 12 at Terrace Park School. Needed are new toys and stocking stuffers for children of all ages, including gifts for teens. Unwrapped new toys for kids or gift cards for teens can be dropped at the YWCA Pathways for Women shelter, 6027 208th St. SW, Lynnwood; the YWCA Regional Center, 3301 Broadway, Everett; or at the Lynnwood police and fire departments, 19100 44th Ave. W., Lynnwood. Mark the donation for the Toy Shop. More info: www.ywcaworks.org and click on Volunteer and go to the Toy Shop information, or call 425-258-2766, ext 150.

Stanwood-Camano Christmas Room, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 14 through 18, at 9831 271st St. NW, Stanwood. The organization provides new clothes, school supplies and toys for children and teens from the Stanwood, Camano and Lakewood communities. Financial contributions and new unwrapped clothes, toys or school supplies — all labeled for Christmas Room — can be dropped off at the Stanwood Camano Food Bank or mailed to P.O. Box 891 Stanwood, WA 98292. More info: 360-629-8181.

Families

Alderwood-Terrace Rotary Hispanic Center, 5409 228th St. SW, Mountlake Terrace. In its fifth year, the Hispanic Center is a free, all-volunteer program working with Edmonds School District students and their families to provide help with homework and English language skills. The center helps provide school supplies, backpacks, musical instrument rentals and reading books. Volunteers can call Pat Cordova at 425-775-6362. Tax-deductible donations can be mailed to Rotary Hispanic Center, P.O. Box 2486, Lynnwood, WA 98036.

Boy Scouts Tree of Giving is up through Dec. 18 at the Everett Mall, 1000 SE Everett Mall Way. A joint project of the mall, Fluke Corp. and the Mount Baker Council of Boy Scouts of America, the tree is covered with wish-list tags. Shoppers select a tag and purchase the items listed. Tags represent wishes from families and senior clients of more than 30 local nonprofit agencies. Last year, more than 1,500 gifts were purchased and left at the tree for Scouts to distribute. Gifts should be returned by 6 p.m. Dec. 18. Mount Baker Council, 1715 100th Place SE No. B, Everett, WA 98208. More info: 425-338-0380.

Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County, P.O. Box 7, Everett, WA 98206, provides services to victims of domestic violence and their children, including a 24-hour crisis hotline, confidential emergency shelter, transitional housing, legal advocacy, advocacy based support groups and children’s programs. The organization’s New & Again Thrift Shoppe, 3116 Rucker Ave., Everett, provides free clothing, furniture and household items to clients and their children. Volunteer opportunities and a wish list of holiday items are available at www.dvs-snoco.org. More info: 425-259-2827, ext. 24.

Everett Gospel Mission offers emergency shelter and services that meet basic needs. The organization needs gift certificates to grocery and retail stores or donations for children’s and adults’ holiday gifts, such as toys, dolls, MP3 players, footballs, sweatshirts, perfume and holiday foods. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 423, Everett, WA 98206. More info: 425-252-1297, ext. 234, or e-mail vfolkman@egmission.org.

Evergreen Manor, 2601 Summit Ave., Everett, WA 98201, is a chemical dependency treatment organization providing housing and addiction recovery services for low-income pregnant women and mothers with young children. Among the items needed are toddler push toys, baby slings, twin-bed linens, bath towels and wash cloths, car seats, high chairs, cribs, toddler beds, disposable diapers, alarm clocks, yarn, knitting needles and crochet hooks, and day planners. More info: www.evergreen manor.org or 425-258-2407.

Families and Friends of Violent Crime Victims, P.O. Box 1949, Everett, WA 98206, provides support and advocacy for crime victims and the loved ones of missing persons and homicide victims. The agency needs cash donations, gas cards or grocery gift cards. Call 800-346-7555 or 425-252-6081. To learn more about services and other ways to help, go to www.fnfvcv.org.

Habitat for Humanity of Snohomish County has a four-home building project currently under way on Broadway in Everett. Construction, special event and public relations volunteers are needed. Habitat construction relies on volunteers and cash donations of any size. Volunteer or donate online at http://habitatsnohomish.org or call 425-258-6289.

Housing Hope provides affordable housing and services for low-income and homeless residents of Snohomish County. Needed are nonperishable food, cleaning supplies, baby items, gift cards for groceries, gas, restaurants. Donations can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to noon on Dec. 18 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 21, 22 and 23, Housing Hope Learning Center, 5908 Evergreen Way, Everett. More info: jennycline@housinghope.org or 425-347-6556.

Lake Stevens Family Center, a program of Lutheran Community Services Northwest, helps individuals and families with support, resources and advocacy. The center’s Christmas Giving program supports children, seniors, and developmentally disabled adults. Call 425-397-7433 to donate or adopt a person in need.

LKI Family Services, 118 East 5th St. Arlington WA 98223, is a foster care licensing and placing agency in need of stocking stuffers and comforters for foster youth. More info: 360-403-7526 or maddy.krygier@lkifamilyservices.com.

North County Fire/EMS firefighters are collecting toys and canned food to be donated to the Stanwood and Arlington food banks and Christmas House. Donations can be made through Dec. 12 at the Warm Beach Fire Station, Freeborn Fire Station and the Bryant Fire Station. In addition, donations can be dropped off at the Stanwood Haggens Starbucks and the Stanwood Starbucks in the QFC Village. More info: 425-754-4342.

Operation Marysville Community Christmas, P.O. Box 917, Marysville, WA 98270, helps families in need of food, basic necessities and toys for the holidays. Food and toy drives continue through Dec. 23. Food and unwrapped toys can be dropped off at any of 60 red barrels in stores, fire stations, banks and other locations around Marysville. To volunteer or make donations, call 360-658-1055.

Snohomish County Project Self-Sufficiency provides services to motivated low-income parents who are employed at entry level jobs or who are in an educational or job training program gaining the skills they need in order to eventually fully support their families. Community donors are matched with Project Self-Sufficiency families for holiday gifts and food. Donors wishing to be matched with a family can call 425-388-7248. Donors can give cash or checks for gifts or food. Checks or money can be sent to PSS, PMB 4101, 2525 Broadway, Everett, WA. 98201. More info: www.snoco.org

Snohomish County Salvation Army, 2525 Rucker Ave., Everett, WA 98201, holiday service program needs support for its annual Adopt a Family and Angel Tree programs. The Adopt a Family program assists families in need by providing gifts for their children as well as food for a holiday dinner. The Angel Tree program provides donors an angel tag gift request representing a boy or girl up to age 14 in the Salvation Army social services program. Salvation Army also looking for volunteers from civic groups, clubs, Scout troops, sports teams or other organizations to ring bells on Mondays for the Red Kettle Campaign. Interested groups would donate time to help raise money for Salvation Army social service programs. In addition, volunteer elves are needed to help pack Santa’s sleigh from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 12 through Dec. 18. More info: 425 259-8129.

South Everett Neighborhood Center and Familias Unidas, 6315 Fleming St., Suite B, Everett, WA 98203, are family support centers of Lutheran Community Services Northwest. Needs include office printing paper, volunteers, non-perishable food and cash donations. A Holiday Open House is set for 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 3 at the center. The event includes an auction fundraiser More info: 425-355-6005 or jclifford@lcsnw.org.

Stanwood Camano Community Resource Center met the needs of more than 3,500 people in the Stanwood-Camano Island community in 2009. Services offered by the center include emergency funds to prevent eviction and the disconnection of essential services, free parenting and family budgeting classes and after school activities for teens. Volunteers are needed to teach music and art classes at the Davis Place teen center. Donations can be mailed to the Community Resources Foundation, P. O. Box 935 Stanwood, WA 98292. More info: 360-629-5257 or director@stanwoodcamanoresources.org

Community

American Red Cross, Snohomish County Chapter, 2530 Lombard Ave., Everett, WA 98201. A nonprofit, nongovernmental, humanitarian organization, Red Cross provides shelter, food and additional immediate emergency needs to victims of house fires, floods and other disasters. It offers health and safety courses, assists the armed forces and their families, and administers Project Pride, energy conservation and utility assistance. Money and volunteer help are ongoing needs. Building needs include installation of new flooring and cleaning of exterior cedar shakes. More info: 425-252-4103.

Annie’s Community Kitchen provides free meals from 5 to 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday at Edmonds Lutheran Church, 23525 84th Ave. W., Edmonds WA 98027, and needs volunteers to help prepare, serve and organize food, wash dishes and collect donated food. More info: 425-744-8090.

Historic Everett Theater, 2911 Colby Ave., Everett, WA 98201, hosts a Christmas Spectacular’s “High School Holiday Music Competition” at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Dec. 5 to support Volunteers of America Food Bank. The show is produced by the Dorothy Jayne Foundation and will feature holiday performances in the style of “America’s Got Talent.”Admission is $15 plus five non-perishable food items. Doors open an hour before show time. More info: swright@hartley.wamedes.com.

Eagle Wings disAbility Ministries, 1522 Third St., Suite F, Marysville, WA 98270, provides relational support for adults with disabilities, their families and caregivers. The nonprofit agency depends on donations. Currently, the agency is collecting new Christmas and holiday DVDs for Santa to hand out at its annual Christmas dinner on Dec. 13. More info: http://eaglewingsministries.org or call 360-658-6093.

Stanwood Therapeutic Riding, 28119 Old Pacific Highway, Stanwood, WA 98292, is a nonprofit serving Snohomish and Skagit counties that provides people with special needs the opportunity to interact with horses. The organization needs new or gently used equipment including 16-inch endurance saddles without a horn for adult riders, Wintec synthetic stirrup leathers, orthopedic saddle pads and three bitless bridles. Sponsorship or donations toward horses’ board and veterinary bills are an ongoing need, as are dedicated volunteers for help with the riders’ sessions or special events. More info: 360-348-7425, www.stanwood therapeuticriding.org.

Village Community Services, 3210 Smokey Point Drive, Suite 200 Arlington, WA 98223, is collecting new or barely used percussion instruments such as hand drums, shakers, tambourines and frog croakers for the band Voices of the Village. The band is made up of people with developmental disabilities and played 38 gigs for more than 5,000 people in 2008. The instruments are shared with the audience. Instruments can be dropped off at the office between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. More info: 360-653-7752, ext. 14 or www.villagecommunitysvcs.org.

Quilceda Community Services board members are making and selling mixed evergreen holiday wreaths for $25. Festive bows are $5. Finished wreaths can be picked up at the QCS office at 1402 State Ave., Marysville WA 98270, on Nov. 23 or Dec. 7. Proceeds support Willow Place, the activities center for developmentally delayed friends and neighbors in north Snohomish County. More info: 360-653-2324.

St. Vincent de Paul, 6424 Broadway, Everett, WA 98201, is a Catholic lay organization that assists the low-income and disadvantaged residents of Snohomish County. The organization assists with rent, clothing, furniture and food. More than 300 volunteers make home visits to clients. Needed are toys for kids all ages as well as other donations, which can be dropped off at any St. Vincent de Paul store or can be picked up by calling 425-355-3504, ext. 2. More info: 425-513-6052.

Stuff-a-Bus Drive at Fred Meyer, 12906 Bothell-Everett Highway, Everett, WA 98208, collects donations of food and toys and delivers the items to Everett Volunteers of America. A bus will be in the Fred Meyer parking lot from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 28, Dec. 5, 12 and 13. The drive is sponsored by ATU and Everett Transit. More info: 360-722-1871, maxdawnjan@verizon.net.

United Way of Snohomish County, 3120 McDougall Ave., Suite 200, Everett, WA 98201, seeks volunteer help from teens and adults. A list of needs is at www.uwsc.org. Click the “Volunteer” button to search. Especially needed are volunteers to help prepare tax returns January-April. Monetary donations can be made to the “Give $10 Tell 10” campaign at www.unitedwaypuget sound.org to help with basic needs such as food, shelter, etc. More info: call 425-374-5501 or 5506.

Whidbey Island Share a Home is a nonprofit agency providing shelter for the homeless, using existing homes, helping homeowners remain independent while offering affordable rents. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 213, Freeland, WA 98249. More info: 800-864-7549 or go to www.whidbeywish.org.

College students

Edmonds Community College Foundation, 20000 68th Ave. W., Lynnwood, WA 98036, supports access, success, and excellence for students, faculty, and staff at Edmonds Community College. Cash and vehicle donations are needed. More info: 425-640-1274 or www.foundation.edcc.edu.

Everett Community College Foundation, 2000 Tower St., Everett, WA 98201, provides scholarship support to students and financial resources to promote faculty and staff innovation. Local business leaders, individuals and alumni can make a difference in the lives of students by contributing an investment of time, talent and financial means in support of academic excellence and student success. More info: 425-388-9434 or www.everettcc.edu/foundation.

Seniors

Granite Falls Senior Center, 302 S. Granite Ave., Granite Falls, WA 98252, tries to help at least four families for the holidays. Food and cash donations are needed. More info: 360-691-7177.

Senior Services of Snohomish County, 8225 44th Ave. W., Suite O, Mukilteo, WA 98275, is a nonprofit organization, that provides nutrition, housing, transportation and information resources to 35,000 people each year. Cash donations are needed to help feed seniors through Meals on Wheels. $36 can provide 6 meals. $72 can provide 12 meals. $186 can provide a month of meals for a homebound senior. Donations can be mailed or made online at www.sssc.org. More info: 425-290-1262.

Food banks

Arlington Community Food Bank, 127 1/2 W. Cox St., WA 98223, needs food supplies and cash donations. Nonperishable food donations are accepted 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays and by appointment. More info: 360-435-1631.

Concern for Neighbors Food Bank, 4700 228th St. SW, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043, needs food and cash donations. Donations accepted 8:30 a.m. to noon Mondays and 9:30 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays or by appointment. More info: 425-778-7227.

Edmonds Food Bank, 828 Caspers St., Edmonds, WA 98020, is located at Edmonds United Methodist Church. Food and cash donations are needed. Donations are accepted through the north door of the church from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. More info: 425-778-5833.

Volunteers of America operates the Everett Food Bank, 2802 Broadway, Everett, WA 98206. VOA provides food to more than 3,300 households each month, including hundreds of home food deliveries to seniors. It provides housing for families in crisis and runs three preschools for low-income children. Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 839, Everett, WA 98206. Volunteers and food donations are also needed. More info: 425-259-3191 or www.voaww.org.

Food Lifeline, 1702 NE 150th St., Shoreline, WA 98155, is a local hunger relief organization and distributes more than 24 million pounds of food to 300 food banks, meal programs and shelters in Western Washington, including 20 in Snohomish County. A $1 donation can feed a family of four. More info: 206-545-6600 or www.foodlifeline.org.

Lynnwood Food Bank, 5320 176th St. SW, Lynnwood, WA 98037, serves residents in the 98036, 98037, 98012 and 98087 ZIP code areas. The food bank needs donations of nonperishable food, cash and checks made out to Lynnwood Food Bank. For more information, call 425-745-1635.

Marysville Community Food Bank, 6518 60th Drive NE, Marysville WA 98270, needs food and cash donations. Donations accepted 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. More info: 360-658-1054.

Marysville Chiropractic, 1617 Grove Street, Marysville, WA 98270, is collecting food and cash donations throughout November for the Marysville Food Bank. More info: 360-659-6241.

Maltby Food Bank, 21104 86th Ave SE Snohomish, WA 98296, provides food for families in the southeast corner of the Monroe School District. The food bank is open 2 to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays. Donations of food, new unwrapped toys and senior gift cards are needed. More info: 360-668-7900.

Hands of Hope Food Bank, 9506 7th Ave. SE., Everett, WA. 98208, is a food bank run out of the basement of the Everett Free Methodist Church. The food bank is open the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Donations of food and volunteers are needed. The food bank is closed on Thanksgiving. Holiday hours on Dec. 23 are from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. More info: 425-355-5985.

Lake Stevens Community Food Bank, 2111 117th Ave. NE. Lake Stevens, WA, 98258, provides food to approximately 250 families every month. The food bank needs nonperishable food and monetary donations. Donations are accepted at the facility in the basement of the Ebenezer Lutheran Church from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday through Thursday. More info: Jim Foster, 425-334-3430.

Salt of the Earth Food Bank has eight locations in Snohomish County and feeds more than 6,000 people each month. Volunteers are needed to drive and pickup food, help sort food, and distribute food. Donations of food are always welcome. Monetary donations may be mailed to Salt of the Earth Food Bank, 2908 118th Pl. S.E., Everett, WA 98208. More info: 425-355-1042.

Sky Valley Food Bank of Monroe is collecting funds for every day food, turkeys, holiday foods, new unwrapped toys and baby supplies for the increasing number of Monroe’s struggling families, children and senior citizens. Monetary donations, used to buy food at bulk prices, can be mailed to Sky Valley Food Bank, P.O. Box 724, Monroe, WA 98272. More info: 360-794-7959, www.svfoodbank.org.

Snohomish Community Food Bank, 1330 Ferguson Park Road, Snohomish, WA 98290, provides food to residents within the Snohomish School District. The food bank is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. Volunteer help and donations of cash, turkeys, hams, and holiday foods such as gravy, stuffing and cranberry sauce are needed. More info: 360-568-7993, <a href="http://snohomishfoodbank@comcast.net[/URL].

Stanwood-Camano Food Bank, 27030 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood WA 98292, needs food and cash donations. More info: 360-629-2789.

Washington Army National Guard storefront, 3333 184th St. SW. in Lynnwood, WA 98037, is accepting nonperishable canned food items for local food banks through Dec. 29. More info: “>snohomishfoodbank@comcast.netwww.washingtonguard.org;http://www.washingtonguard.org[URL].

Animals

Bats Northwest, P.O. Box 3026, Lynnwood, WA 98046, is a nonprofit bat advocacy group that offers educational bat talks and bat houses for sale. Become a bat educator by attending the bat ambassador training on Jan. 16. More info: [/URL]www.batsnorthwest.org;http://www.batsnorthwest.org[URL] or [/URL]info@batsnorthwest.org;http://info@batsnorthwest.org[/URL].

Equine Rescue Association, 2415 116th St. NE., Marysville WA 98271, cares for rescued horses. Santa pony pictures for $8 and pony rides for $4 will be offered from 1 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 28, 29 and Dec. 5, 6. Proceeds go to the care of 30 rescued horses. More info: 360-658-5494.

PAWS companion animal shelter and wildlife center, 15305 44th Ave W., Lynnwood, WA 98087. PAWS rehabilitates sick, injured and orphaned wildlife and finds new homes for cats and dogs. Needed are gift cards from pet and building supply stores, gas gift cards, vehicle donations, soft and washable cat toys, heat lamps, clumping cat litter, dog biscuits and high quality canned dog and cat food. More info: 425-787-2500, ext. 256 or www.paws.org.

New Moon Farm Goat Rescue and Sanctuary, 19111 Burn Rd, Arlington, WA 98223, is a nonprofit dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and adoption of animals in need. The organization takes in unwanted animals brought in via owner surrender and by animal control. Volunteers are needed to help work the farm as well as financial contributions and donations of hay, feed and other supplies. A herd of 14 permanent goats and 30 foster goats love to play and eat trees. This makes used Christmas trees another accepted donation. Donations of used Christmas trees will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 2. Hours are by appointment only. More info: 425-791-4513.

Purrfect Pals, a nonprofit cat shelter and sanctuary based in Smokey Point, provides low-cost spay and neuter surgeries and adoptions. Needed are plus-size scrub tops and bottoms, plants, pavers, arbor, gates, gazebo, supplies for garden tour sale, storage bins, laundry baskets, bleach, laundry detergent, cat and kitten food, stamps, envelopes, paper scratching posts, non-skid rugs, large towels, gift cards, foster homes and volunteers. Donations can be mailed to 230 McRae Road NE, Arlington, WA 98223. More info: 360-652-9611 or www.purrfectpals.org.

Sarvey Wildlife Center, 13106 148th St. NE, Arlington, WA 98223, rehabilitates orphaned and injured wildlife and provides educational programs. It needs liquid laundry and dish detergent, bleach, paper towels, rubber gloves, scrub brushes and sponges, heating pads, dry cat food, baby food, applesauce, peanut butter, raisins and honey. Mail donations to P.O. Box 3590 Arlington, WA 98223. More info: 360-435-4817 or www.sarveywildlife.org.