Across King and Snohomish County, Washington there are several Christmas assistance programs. Non-profit organizations run them using donations from the community and also the support of volunteers. A wide variety of free toys, gifts, and food items may be offered to struggling families, in particular those with children, in an effort to spread the holiday joy.
Some of the charities offer more than just Christmas help. They may also administer Thanksgiving meals or Easter gift baskets. Anyone who may qualify and is interested in getting more information will need to call a center.
Countless families in Seattle are struggling in these challenging times. The free gifts, clothing and meals that are provided around the holidays can make a big difference. It can free up your money for paying other bills and help people have some joy around Christmas and other holidays.
Below we’ve listed a variety of holiday assistance programs organized alphabetically by the city they’re located. Click on the links to learn about the program eligibility requirements, dates and more.
FOR ANY/ALL LOCATIONS:
USPS Operation Santa
USPS runs a program called Operation Santa where children can write letters to Santa (to a sneaky USPS secret address) and volunteers read these letters and choose children that they want to send Christmas gifts to. Note: Volunteers are more likely to choose letters to Santa that ask for things like clothing, toys, school supplies rather than expensive electronics or bikes. There is a comprehensive website with instructions (as well as some tips) on how to get gifts from Santa this year. Letters must be postmarked by December 6th.
Simplified: https://www.uspsoperationsanta.com/getinvolved
Longer version with tips: https://beanelf.org/seeking-gifts/
FOR VARIOUS LOCATIONS:
Forgotten Children’s Fund
forgottenchildrensfund@gmail.com
https://www.forgottenchildrensfund.org/request-help
The Forgotten Children’s Fund serves several counties (King, Pierce, Lewis, Chelan, North Sound, etc.) in Washington State where they provide a variety of gifts to children and families who do not qualify for assistance from other charitable organizations. Children receive a new warm coat and gifts and the family may receive blankets and food. This program is through application only, you can apply on their website linked above.
Hopelink Holiday Food Assistance
https://www.hopelink.org/blog/2025-holiday-assistance-resources/
During the November and December holiday season, Hopelink’s 5 Food Markets offer a variety of special seasonal foods for households. Such foods include squashes and pumpkins, spices, stuffing mixes, fresh cranberries, baking supplies and protein options as funding allows. Locations for each food market are listed alphabetically in the section below.
Salvation Army
https://saangeltree.org/index.dpi
The Salvation Army gives out gifts and new clothing to children and senior adults to be put under their family’s Christmas tree. Click on the link above to start your application for this program.
A:
Auburn Food Bank
Holy Family Catholic Church
505 17th Street Southeast
Auburn, WA 98002
https://www.theauburnfoodbank.org/events/thanksgiving-basket-giveaway2025
Get a basket of Thanksgiving dinner fixings! Participants need to register in person during regular client hours before Friday, November 21st. This program is available for residents of Auburn that live within the boundaries of the Auburn School District, you will need to provide identification for proof of address (mail with your name on it or government issued ID card).
Holy Family Catholic Church
505 17th Street Southeast
Auburn, WA 98002
https://www.theauburnfoodbank.org/events/christmas-basket-giveaway2025
Get a basket of Christmas dinner fixings! Participants need to register in person during regular client hours before December 19th. This program is available for residents of Auburn that live within the boundaries of the Auburn School District, you will need to provide identification for proof of address (mail with your name on it or government issued ID card).
A:
A Christmas Wish
Arlington Boys & Girls Club
https://www.achristmaswish.net/
If your child attends a school in the Arlington or Darrington School District and you’re a low-income family, you may be eligible to receive free Christmas gifts! Registration ends on December 5th and you need proof of address and proof of parentage/guardianship to register. The event is not first come, first serve and the volunteers work hard to keep gifts available throughout the hours of the event.
C:
Sno-Valley Hopelink
31957 East Commercial Street
Carnation, WA 98014
425-333-4163
https://www.hopelink.org/programs/food-program/
Seasonal foods are available, more details under “For Various Locations” section above.
E:
Christmas House
Everett Boys and Girls Club
2316 12th Street
Everett, WA 98201
https://christmas-house.org/shop/
The Christmas House is open December 4th until December 20th and the hours are Tuesday-Friday 9am-1pm and Saturday 9am-2:30pm, no advance registration is needed. If you have a disability or other documented medical problems you can call 425-338-2273 to make special arrangements. Numbered tickets will be passed out daily starting at 7am until tickets are gone. You can find much more information on the website linked above including any required documentation that is needed.
F:
Multi-Service Center
1200 S 336th St.
Federal Way, WA 98003
(253) 838-6810
https://mschelps.org/gethelp/food/
Provides free Thanksgiving and holiday food for residents of Washington state, click the link to learn which days you can visit the MSC food bank for these special holiday foods. Special programs run for qualified residents that live within the boundaries of the Federal Way School District.
I:
Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank
179 1st Ave SE
Issaquah, WA 98027
(425) 392-4123
https://issaquahfoodbank.org/holiday-gift-program/
The Holiday Gift Barn is providing gift cards for holiday shopping to registered clients of Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank, have a child under 18 (if your child is 18 but in high school, that is acceptable) and reside in one of the following zip codes: 98027, 98029, 98074, 98075, 98038, 98024, 98025, 98014, 98045, 98050, 98055-59, 98065.
Eastridge Church – Issaquah Campus
24205 SE Issaquah-Fall City Rd.
Issaquah, WA 98029
(425) 392-3253
https://www.eastridgetoday.com/ministries/upcoming-events/turkey/
There is a Turkey & Groceries Giveaway on November 22nd from 9-11:30am where you can receive a free turkey and a bag of groceries while supplies last. No proof of need required. There’s also a Toy House where toys will be given out and a Christmas show for the family to enjoy will take place. Note that in order to sign up for the Toy House, you must attend either the West Seattle or Issaquah Turkey Giveaway.
K:
Kirkland Hopelink
11011 120th Avenue Northeast
Kirkland, WA 98033
425-889-7880
https://www.hopelink.org/programs/food-program/
Seasonal foods are available, more details under “For Various Locations” section above.
Pride Across The Bridge – Queer Holiday Potluck
Kirkland, WA
https://givebutter.com/Q-Potluck25%C2%A0
Join members and allies of the Eastside 2SLGBTQIA+ community for dinner on December 13th from 6-8pm in Kirkland. The exact location will be provided after you RSVP for your free ticket! This event is open to all ages and there will be a quieter room for individuals with sensory issues. There will also be a game room and anyone is encouraged to bring board or card games they’d like to play.
M:
Maple Valley Food Bank
21415 Maple Valley Hwy
Maple Valley, WA 98038
(425) 432-8139
info@maplevalleyfoodbank.org
https://maplevalleyfoodbank.org/get-help/#gifts
The Maple Valley Food Bank offers a variety of programs year-round to offer food and financial assistance to residents in the Tahoma School District (Maple Valley, Hobart, Ravensdale, Black Diamond, and portions of Renton and Covington). They also offer a Children’s Christmas Gift program for children ages 0-18 where parents can choose from a selection of gifts. Send them an email for more information on how to register for assistance.
Mercer Island Youth and Family Services – Holiday Food and Gift Program
2040 84th Ave SE
Mercer Island, WA 98040
(206) 275-7869
https://miyfs.org/news-and-events/events/
R:
S:
Ballard Community Church
1401 Leary Way NW
Seattle, WA 98107
Every Wednesday night from 5-6pm there’s a community dinner located at the Ballard Community Church, stop by for some food and community!
Eastridge Church – West Seattle Campus
4500 39th Ave SW, West Seattle Assembly of God
Seattle, WA 98116
(425) 392-3253
https://www.eastridgetoday.com/ministries/upcoming-events/turkey/
There is a Turkey & Groceries Giveaway on November 22nd from 9-11:30am where you can receive a free turkey and a bag of groceries while supplies last. No proof of need required. There’s also a Toy House where toys will be given out and a Christmas show for the family to enjoy will take place. Note that in order to sign up for the Toy House, you must attend either the Seattle or Issaquah Turkey Giveaway.
University District Food Bank
5017 Roosevelt Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 523-7060
https://www.udistrictfoodbank.org/
The Holiday Gift Program combines food boxes (at Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter) with holiday gifts for kids under the age of 18.
Catholic Community Services – Annual Holiday Gift Shop
4250 S. Mead St.
St. Edwards Parish, Seattle, WA 98118
206-445-5669
https://ccsww.org/view-contact-information-by-county/
The gift shop is for pregnant women, including single moms. Kids needs to be under age of or just born, and they can get toys as well as free Christmas gifts. It is for low income and working poor families.
The Salvation Army – Greenwood
9501 Greenwood Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98103
206-783-1225
Come enjoy Thanksgiving lunch at The Salvation Army Seattle Temple on Thursday, November 27th from 11am-1pm!
The Salvation Army – White Center
9050 16th Avenue SW
Seattle, WA 98106
206-767-3150
Get help with Christmas gifts for your children at The Salvation Army White Center Community Center! Register in person by visiting the center Monday-Friday from 10am-12pm or 1pm-3pm. Note: ID, proof of residency, proof of income, and proof of children in household is required when you register. If you have any questions call the center, they’re open M-F 10am-10:30pm.
Shoreline Hopelink
17837 Aurora Avenue North
Shoreline, WA 98133
206-440-7300
https://www.hopelink.org/programs/food-program/
Seasonal foods are available, more details under “For Various Locations” section above.
