Giving back in Bellingham: How to help Toys for Tots, food bank and more
This December, many Whatcom County residents may be asking how to spread holiday cheer and warmth.
From volunteering at the food bank to donating to toy or food drives, there are plenty of ways to help people in need in the Bellingham area.
No matter how big or small the gesture, anyone can make a difference.
Here are a few of the local organizations that are seeking money or donations this holiday season:
Where to drop off Toys for Tots in Whatcom County
The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve started Toys For Tots in 1947 with the mission of granting children’s wishes and ensuring that no child goes without a special toy on Christmas Day.
Simply pick out one or more new, unwrapped toy and place it in a designated drop-off box.
Drop-off locations can be found throughout Whatcom County. For a full list of local Toys for Tots drop-off locations, go to bellingham-wa.toysfortots.org.
How to donate to Salvation Army’s Angel Trees
The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program provides new clothing, shoes and toys to children in need.
Each child writes their age, needs and wants for the holiday season on a tag, which gets placed on a Christmas tree.
Shoppers are then able to select a tag and purchase the child’s exact Christmas list.
The Angel Tree program saw an increase in popularity recently after TikTok Influencer Serena Neel purchased multiple kids’ wishlists at once.
There is one Angel Tree in Bellingham, in the Bellis Fair shopping center at 1 Bellis Fair.
Anyone can drop off a gift at The Salvation Army administration office, 2912 Northwest Ave. in Bellingham Donations will be accepted until Friday, Dec. 19.
For other ways to support the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, go to tsamm.org/angeltree.
Hope House in Bellingham seeks clothing, household items
Toys aren’t the only things needed this holiday. As the chill deepens around Bellingham, consider donating new or gently used winter clothing to a clothing drive or thrift store.
Hope House Multi-Service Center is an outreach ministry of Catholic Community Services of Western Washington that provides food, clothes, hygiene and household products to those in need.
You can drop off donations at Assumption Parish, 207 Kentucky St. in Bellingham, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. House House is also open 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday.
What to donate to Bellingham Food Bank
The Bellingham Food Bank opens its doors to the public three times a week.
Since 1972, the food bank at 1824 Ellis St. in Bellingham has provided the Whatcom County community with free food.
You can bring donations including canned meat, pinto beans and rice to the Bellingham Food Bank from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 3 p.m. Friday.
You can find a list of needed items at bellinghamfoodbank.org/give.
In addition to food, the food bank also accepts monetary donations. Checks can be made and mailed to: Bellingham Food Bank, 1824 Ellis St., Bellingham, WA 98225.
The common thread with all these organizations is they all need volunteers. Giving time or money is something that helps everyone.
The Bellingham Herald has worked closely with Opportunity Council and Unity Care NW in support of the annual Extend-A-Hand campaign, which helps provide for a variety of services within the local community such as vaccinations, avoiding evictions, health care and other services.
It doesn’t take much to lend a hand this holiday season. Every minute, every penny and dollar and every donation has the ability to make someone’s holiday season.