volunteer with us

If you are looking to serve your community, make some new friends, or even increase your muscle mass, you need to check us out!


We are always looking for fun people to join us in serving our community.  We work hard at sorting dry goods and organizing the food bank on Mondays, sorting fresh and frozen goods on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, and distributing food on Wednesday afternoons and Friday mornings.  We pick up food from local grocery stores six days a week and have a special place in our hearts for our drivers.   Be forewarned, we are early birds!  (Application links below)


Schedule: 


Monday and Tuesday 7am - 2pm

* 7am - 2pm

* Sorting, stocking, organizing the warehouse

Wednesday 7am - 6pm

* Set-up 7am

* Sort and stock  fresh/frozen goods & prep produce

* Distribution 11am - 5pm

* Clean up until 6pm

* Delivery program, coming soon!

Friday 7am - 2pm

* Set up 7am

* Distribution 10am - 1pm

* Clean up until 2pm

* Sorting and stocking throughout distribution

* Delivery program coming soon!

Saturday TBA

* Mobile distributions in Lynnwood have limited positions, call for information 425-745-1635


On Site Distribution times:

  • Wednesdays 11am - 5pm
  • Fridays 10am - 1pm
  • 3rd Saturday of the month with NW Seattle Gambian Association 11:30am - 12:30pm (a focus on African immigrants)

Off Site Distribution times:

  • Thursdays @ Edmonds College 1-3pm
  • Saturdays @ Alderwood Court Senior Apt. 8:45am - 9:45am
  • Saturdays @ Whispering Cedars Apartments 10:15am - 11:15am

Preparation Work

Mondays 7am - 2pm (dry goods)

Tuesdays 7am - 2pm (fresh goods)

Wednesdays 7am -11am (distribution 11am - 5pm) then distribution

Fridays 7am - 10am (distribution 10am - 1pm) then distribution


Grocery Rescue:  

If you would like to pick up donations from local grocery stores and represent the Food Bank to the public, we would love to meet you. You must have a good driving record, be at least 21 years of age, and be able to lift up to 50 pounds.  We currently have spots available for drivers, substitute drivers, and driver's assistants (18 years +). We pick up donations 6 days per week, please call for availability.


Students: Middle school volunteers must be accompanied by a parent or older sibling. High school students may serve hours after school on Wednesdays. Because we want to keep our students safe, we require that two adults be present at all times when youth are volunteering. For this reason, we do not allow students to volunteer on Saturdays when we only have one person on site.


Groups: We can accommodate groups, but because of space limitations we must limit size of groups and or work in shifts. For more information, please contact Alissa.


Court Ordered Community Service: Yes, we would be happy to work with you. Please contact Alissa or Jinx for more information and for screening and scheduling.


We do not have minimum shift requirements and are flexible with your schedule.


Alissa Jones, Executive Director

Jinx Singleton, Operations Manager

LynnwoodFoodBank@Comcast.net

425-745-1635


Download Volunteer Application


Download Volunteer Application for Minors here




donate

You are the key to helping many families in Lynnwood put dinner on the table each night.   Thank you!


We accept donations of canned and dry good items, fresh and frozen foods, and financial donations.  We have a large refrigerator and freezer to keep fresh and frozen goods in safe condition until distribution and we are able to use financial donations to purchase other items such as meat and fresh produce which keeps our families healthy throughout the year.


If you are not sure what to donate, here are some suggestions:


Canned: vegetables, fruit, meats, beans, meals in a can (chili, ravioli, etc.), soups, peanut butter & jelly, tomato/ spaghetti sauce, baby food. Unfortunately we cannot distribute home canned items.

Boxed or Dry: pasta, macaroni & cheese, ramen noodles, hamburger helper, meal sides, kids snacks, cereal & oatmeal, pancake mix, dry beans, rice, formula, dried fruits, lentils,

Fresh: fruits, vegetables, eggs, yogurt, milk, butter, cheese, cottage cheese, tofu, etc. The best delivery time  for fresh goods is Tuesday and Wednesday mornings for our Wednesday distribution.

Frozen: beef, poultry, pork, fish (all meats must be professionally USDA wrapped), frozen dinners, vegetarian meals

Other: miscellaneous items such as salad dressing, ketchup, vegetable oil, sugar, flour, nut free, tooth paste, shampoo & conditioner, deodorant, toilet paper, diapers, feminine hygiene products.

Specialty: Gluten free, sugar free, vegan, and ethnic food are always appreciated!

Money: By donating money to the Lynnwood Food Bank you are helping us purchase items such as fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, and dairy which increase the healthy food options that are offered to our families.



host a food drive

We often have two different types of food drives done for the Food Bank; both are often successful and both  are greatly appreciated.


Private Food Drives are when you, your business, or school collect canned/dry food for the Food Bank. We have barrels that can be borrowed for collecting food.  This can be done for a set period of time or it can even be ongoing.


Public Food Drives are when you work with a grocery store to ask the store's patrons to purchase food for the Food Bank as they do their own grocery shopping. This is typically canned/dry goods but can also include cash and check donations.


Lesser known styles of food drives can include fresh foods such as produce, meat, dairy, etc.  When doing a fresh food drive you will need to make arrangements for a drop off so that food is never left to become warm.  Most of these items need to be kept at a temperature of 40 degrees or cooler in order to remain food safe.


Donation suggestions of canned/dry goods: see list above.


Fund Drives are when you raise funds for the Lynnwood Food Bank. Funds are used to purchase items we may be short of or to increase healthier options by purchasing fresh produce, meats, or dairy.

grow produce

If you are planning a garden this year, plant a row for the food bank!  We love receiving fresh foods from the community which increase the healthier options for our families. 


We distribute our groceries on Wednesday afternoons, and although we have a large cooler for storage, the best time to donate your fresh produce is on Monday - Wednesday mornings.


We also love to distribute plant starts. Whenever we have these available, they disappear quickly and with excitement.  Many of our families have yards to plant but many also have small patios where planting in pots is the best solution.


Thank you for your thoughtfulness!