Ways To Give and Get Help in West Seattle, White Center, and Burien
- Marie McKinsey
- 17 hours ago
- 7 min read
With news of government budget cuts and the cancellation of programs that help provide a safety net for local residents, many of us wonder what we can do to help them.
And with waves of layoffs sweeping through the region, some of us wonder what we will do if we lose our jobs and remain unemployed for an extended period of time.
Fortunately, the neighborhoods of West Seattle, White Center, and Burien have many non-profit organizations that provide assistance and offer opportunities for volunteers to help. Some support community in ways you might not have thought of, like organizing teams to clean up trash or hosting an event to raise money to support other non-profits.
The problem is that many people are either unaware of these organizations or don't know much about what they do.
The purpose of this post is to provide a comprehensive list of the organizations and programs that benefit our community. If you know of more to add, leave their names in the comment section, and I will include them.
In the process of compiling this list, I have felt so much gratitude for these organizations, the work they do, and how they bring people together. There's something here for everyone.
Note that a few of these organizations have Amazon Wish Lists. Regardless of whatever love/hate relationship you have with Amazon, the wish lists are a good service. Click on the wish list link, select items to donate, and purchase them. Amazon will deliver the items directly to the organization and send you a receipt. Couldn't be easier.
Organizations with Amazon Wish Lists are designated with a *.
It might seem strange to include a group that picks up trash and removes invasive plant species from public spaces on this list, but there's an important lesson here. When times are tough, we need to be aware of the toll it takes on our mental as well as physical well being.
Erik Bell, founder of the group, says that starting the group had a positive impact on his mental health. He began picking up trash on Alki Beach in the mornings at the beginning of the panemic. On top of concerns about COVID, he was facing some personal challenges at the time. What he found was that spending some time outdoors every day, doing something useful, gave him a sense of calm that he could carry through the day.
Other people saw him out there and asked if they could join him. He welcomed them. Since then, his team of volunteers has grown steadily and includes projects far from the beach. In the process, they have made friends, created community, done a lot of good, and undoubtedly improved their mental health, too.
Want to join the team? Visit their website, scroll down, and sign up to learn more.
In difficult financial times, what happens to family pets? Often, they end up at an animal shelter, and sadly, some are euthanized. Unless they go to Burien CARES.
From their website:
"We are a small, but mighty animal shelter, proudly operating as a boutique, brick and mortar facility in Burien. As a non-profit, our approach differs from larger King County shelters, allowing us to focus on our unique mission. Despite limited resources and funding constraints, we remain steadfast in our commitment to being a no-kill shelter. Our priority is the safety, happiness, and health of the animals in our care as they await their forever homes."
You can support this shelter with monetary donations, or by making purchases from their Amazon and Chewy wishlists.
Center for Active Living, formerly known as the West Seattle Senior Center, offers many classes, programs, and services for older adults.
Here's how they describe their Food and Dining options on their website:
"The Center offers two delicious and affordable lunch options during the week. Both are open to the public for all ages. You do not need to be a member to enjoy a meal with us.
We also provide two food support services:
1) Meals on Wheels provides nutritious meal delivery at no cost for people ages 60+ who qualify. We operate this program together with Sound Generations. Apply for Meals on Wheels.
2) Food Bank Distribution in partnership with the West Seattle Food Bank. We offer boxes of nutritious food at no cost. Pick up is every Tuesday from 9 - 9:30 a.m. at The Center. No advance sign-up needed."
Every year, City Fruit harvests 30,000-45,000 pounds of fruit from fruit trees on residential properties and public orchards across Seattle. This fruit is shared with local food banks and meal programs across the city. During harvest season, they give away fruit at designated Fruit-for-All Farmstands. Learn more about what they do.
There are many ways to get involved.
Interested in sharing fruit that grows on your property? Find out how.
From their website:
"We are the expanded identity of the P-Patch Trust, which for decades promoted and provided services to P-Patches.
We believe in the power of gardening to make positive social and environmental changes. We encourage and enable communities in creating gardens and orchards where residents grow healthy food and reap the benefits of working and eating together.
Founded in 1973 with an agreement between the city of Seattle, the co-op PCC and a retired Wedgewood farmer named Rainie Picardo, we are now one of the largest and most honored community gardening initiatives in the nation!"
There are eight P-Patches in West Seattle: Barton Street, Westcrest Garden, Longfellow Creek, High Point MacArthur Lane, High Point Juneau Garden, High Point Commons Garden, Beyers' Bulldog Garden, and Delridge.
When you shop at PCC and "round up," you are donating to this non-profit. This organization is helping to replace the income for farmers lost because of SNAP funding cuts.
Here's the description of what they do from their website:
"Farmer Centered: Growing for Good supports farmers who receive upfront payment in the spring, allowing them to invest in seeds, soil amendments, and equipment before the growing season begins.
Community Focused: Growing for Good matches hunger relief organizations with farms growing culturally familiar produce—increasing the amount of fresh, high-quality and nutrient dense produce available to their clients.
People Funded: In the spirit of cooperation, this is all made possible through community donations."
Highline Area Food Bank is a Non-Profit 501C3 organization dedicated to the gathering and the distribution of food for those in need in the Burien and greater Highline area.
Their motto is: "no child should sleep outside." Since 1999, Mary’s Place has helped thousands of women and families move out of homelessness into more stable situations. Learn more.
There are many ways to help including: donating money, volunteering, sharing your stuff, starting a youth action program, purchasing a wish list item, and more.
Did you know that the cost of one year of Meals on Wheels for a senior costs less than one day in a hospital?
Meals on Wheels is just one of the services for elderly adults offered by Sound Generations. You can sign up via the Sound Generations or Center for Active Living websites.
West Seattle Nursery offers a 10% discount to P-Patch gardeners. Many P-Patch gardeners donate a portion of their harvest to local food banks and meal programs.
Here's how they describe their mission:
"WestSide Baby meets the basic needs of children to promote safety, security & healthy development. We provide essential items to keep children safe, warm and dry by collecting and distributing diapers, clothing, and equipment throughout Western King County.
WestSide Baby’s model is unique. We receive donations from the community, check and sort those donations, and distribute them directly to 100+ partner agencies, who are experts in their families, and the children they serve. These professionals get the items the children need, and WestSide Baby can focus on collecting the basic essentials."
Here's how you can help: Give Joy 2025!
This is the only shelter in West Seattle for our unhoused neighbors.
From their website:
Morning: The Warm Up Center is open at the American Legion Hall from 7:00 to 11 am, with breakfast provided 8:45 to 9:30 am.
Evening: Between November and March, The American Legion Hall opens again as a cold weather emergency shelter at 5 pm. Dinner is served from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Cots and blankets are available for 36 people overnight, first come, first served.
The shelter is open 24 hours when King County declares a Winter Storm Emergency.
Look for the link to their Amazon Wish List on their website. Select items from it to donate, pay for them, and Amazon will deliver directly to the shelter, then email you a receipt.
How you can help:
Go to their website and donate cash
Here are more ideas
People know that the Food Bank helps feed the community, but did you know that it also has a clothing bank?
Here's another service the food bank offers. From their website:
"We help West Seattle tenants facing eviction or foreclosure, utility shut-off, or high move-in costs. Our emergency financial assistance program is open and accepting applications."
Learn more here.
This is another organization that might seem out of place on this list, but the Garden Tour has deep roots in the community. For decades, it has provided financial support to local non-profits with interests as far ranging as Arts West and City Fruit.
These were the grant recipients from the 2025 tour, some of whom grow food for themselves and others. And here's what past recipients have to say. When you buy a tour ticket or make a donation, you're getting more than a chance to view beautiful gardens, you are making an investment in our community.
From their website:
Our Mission is to Minimize Hunger...
While nourishing community, nurturing self-reliance and embracing our rich cultural diversity.
The White Center Food Bank began unofficially in the mid-1970’s as an emergency response to assist struggling families and individuals in the greater White Center and Highline areas during a major economic downturn. Much like today, many in the community were faced with difficult economic conditions that left them in need of food resources.
We were there then. We are here now.
Please visit us at the White Center Food Bank if you are in need of assistance.
We are here to help.
Here's what you need to know if you need food or assistance. Note that they have a Baby Pantry that is operated in cooperation with West Side Baby.