With the holidays in full swing, we wanted to highlight a few local opportunities to give back to the community - in small ways or in large.

Local Holiday Giving Opportunities

Times are tough for a lot of folks in the community right now, and food insecurity continues to be a very real challenge.  There a number of food banks in the Tacoma area that are committed to providing local residents with a diverse and nutritious food supply so that no one goes hungry.  You can support these organizations with your time (as a volunteer), with your money and/or by donating food items.  A few helpful tips are below.

    • Peanut butter and beans are popular donations, but nonperishable canned meats like tuna and Spam are other great sources of protein.
  • Jars of pasta sauce complete donated boxes of pasta.
  • Consider donating powdered milk with every box of cereal that you give.
  • Donating spices and cooking essentials, such as olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic salt, can help people improve the taste of their food.
  • Personal hygiene items aren’t usually covered by food stamps so donating deodorant, menstrual products, toothpaste and soap can be particularly helpful.

Local food banks that would welcome your support include:

University Place

Families Unlimited Network

Families Unlimited Network

Hilltop, Tacoma

My Sister’s
Pantry

My Sister's Pantry

Lakewood

Emergency
Food Network

Emergency Food Network

Proctor, West Tacoma & More

Nourish
Pierce County

Nourish Pierce County

McKinley Hill

Eloise’s Cooking
Pot Food Bank

Eloise's Cooking Pot Food Bank

Gig Harbor

Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH Food Bank

Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH Food Bank

Animal shelters are also in particular need during the winter months.  Volunteers tend to get busy with other activities during the holidays, leaving animals awaiting adoption in need of love and attention.  Donations of time and money are always welcome, but donating supplies can also save staff the time and hassle of making trips away from the shelter.  Ask them what food, toys and bedding they might need and spread the word to your fellow animal lovers.

Local animal shelters that would welcome your support include:

Central Tacoma

Tacoma
Pierce County
Humane Society

Tacoma Pierce County Humane Society

Puyallup

Sunny Sky’s
Animal
Rescue

Sunny Sky's Animal Rescue

Puyallup

Metro
Animal
Services

Metro Animal Services

One of the things about living in Tacoma that Jeff and I have particularly enjoyed is the opportunity to give back to the community.  Whether it’s through the arts, higher education or social services, there are plenty of ways to get involved.  Hopefully this post has given you a few ideas.

Dog Adoption

Mark Pinto is a top-producing Realtor with Windermere Chambers Bay, specializing in residential real estate in Tacoma, Gig Harbor, University Place and Lakewood.

Mark Pinto: (253) 318-0923
MarkPinto@windermere.com

Mark Pinto
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