5 Ways to Help Those in Need this Holiday Season

Spread the joy: a little help goes a long way for those in need

By Sarah Dotson November 23, 2015

If you’re looking to spread some holiday cheer this year, many Seattle organizations are offering opportunities to help those in need.

We’ve compiled a list of several events and programs ranging from a dining app that’s helping to feed the hungry to Thanksgiving food drives. Not only will you help to bring comfort and joy to many people in our community, but you’ll also have a great time doing it.

1. FoodCircles App: Creator Jonathan Kumar channeled his own struggles with childhood hunger and launched FoodCircles, a free app that enables you to purchase donated dishes from local restaurants–some for as little as $2–while helping to fight hunger. Get the app to scroll through “Buy One, Feed One” dishes (think gluten-free empanadas and meatballs for two) from such eateries as Sport Restaurant & Bar, La Bodega or Branzino, and for every purchase you make, 100 percent of the proceeds will go towards meal programs at Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission. Download your voucher and then redeem it the restaurant. Every $2.00 spent via FoodCircles equals a meal for one hungry person.

2. Thanksgiving Basket: Donate a Thanksgiving meal at the YWCA’s Thanksgiving Basket event. As a donator you will be assigned a local family and a list of items to fill your basket. The food you donate will help supply homeless shelters and support programs around the city with much-needed Thanksgiving meals. Baskets must be delivered on Tuesday, November 24 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. For more information visit ywcaworks.org/

3. Northwest Harvest: Consider volunteering as a donation collector on December 5 for Northwest Harvest, the statewide nonprofit food bank distributor, where you will spend the day collecting food and monetary donations that help support more than 380 food banks, meal programs and high-needs schools. Learn how to help reach this year’s goal of 5 million meals at northwestharvest.org/.

4. Free Tax Prep at United Way of King County: Volunteer as a tax preparer and help thousands of low-income people wade through the complicated world of forms, credits and deductions. Prior tax prep experience isn’t required to volunteer, but if you’re new to the program, you’ll be asked to complete two full days of training to become IRS certified. Find more details about this program at uwkc.org/volunteer/free-tax-prep/

5. Seattle Turkey Trot: Run, jog or walk in this 5K on Thanksgiving morning (Thursday, November 26). All proceeds from this race go to the Ballard Food Bank. Register here.

For even more volunteer opportunities visit uwkc.org/volunteer/.