Ballard Food Bank looking for T-Day donations

Geeky Swedes Ballard

We received a desperate plea this morning from Nancy McKinney, executive director of the Ballard Food Bank, “We have almost no turkeys to hand out this week.” Twenty minutes later she called back with a tone of relief saying the North Helpline in Lake City will be sending down 100 turkeys for the Ballard Food Bank.


View Ballard Food Bank drop-off locations in a larger map

Although there are more than 100 turkeys, the Ballard Food Bank is still low on some Thanksgiving meal staples. “We can still use stuffing, whipped cream, butter and cranberries,” McKinney says. You can drop these items off at the Ballard Food Bank (7001 24th Ave NW) today, Tuesday & Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Food, clothing and hygiene items are also being collected in the Food Bank barrels at the locations highlighted on the map.

Geeky Swedes

The founders of My Ballard

45 thoughts to “Ballard Food Bank looking for T-Day donations”

  1. The Boy Scouts had a clothing drive this past weekend. I guess having frozen turkies sitting on front porches wasn't a good idea then? Darn. Although, they do need a few days to thaw, so perhaps next year they can try a turkey drive a few days ahead? Got logistics? I gave 'em clothing AND a large bag of food. Happy Thanksgiving……………….

  2. Thanks for posting this, MyBallard. While 100 turkeys may sound like a lot, consider that the Ballard Food Bank–that tiny wooden building–had well over 4,000 clients coming through last month (October.) People are severely hurting–families, homeless (including veterans), and the working poor of our community.

  3. do those in need of food donations really need 'whipped cream' and 'butter'?

    how about we say screw thanksgiving staples and actually give them something healthy to eat?

  7. Wow. Grow a heart, Mr. Grinch.
    Have a few drunks and panhandlers taken away all our compassion? There are many in need this year. Many that aren't drunks or 'lifestyle' homeless.
    A family member bought me groceries this weekend. Wanna judge me for that like you guys judge anyone else having hard times? Go ahead.

  8. Everybody needs their own personal version of whipped cream and butter now and again. Meaning, everyone wants a little something bad for them once in a while. Some people want fattening tasty food, some people want to be mean on the internet. Which kind of person are you?

  9. hi boardbrown! jules here,( the one from way back that had to put sage to sleep.) just been awhile, wanted to wish you & yours a happy thanksgiving! i hope you are all well.

  11. well I don't eat that crap. and I'm certainly not going to enable someone to become obese, especially since I'm paying for their healthcare.

  13. thanks for being the voice of reason Nora.
    I suggest something healthy and I get chastized!

    should I just throw a few packs of smokes in the donation bin, too?

  17. Thanks to MyBallard for posting the needs at the Ballard Food Bank. We didn't ask for donations of other “healthy” items because we already have them (fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy, whole grain bread and eggs) Many people like to bake with butter or have a little whipped cream on their pie. While those items are not the difference between life and death it is nice to have all of the fixings for a holiday. I would invite anyone to come and volunteer at the food bank that thinks we are giving unhealthy food away. In addition, it is naive to think that our customers are all homeless. We are providing food for up to 1,200 people each week. They are hungry – plain and simple.
    Thank you to the generous and kind members of this community that donate time, food, clothing, hygiene items and money.

  20. I go to the food bank every Monday evening. And although, I know there are many worse off than myself, I am part of the “working poor”.

    Having the “little” things like real butter (instead of margarine, which you really cannot BAKE with) & whipping cream can make you forget your current situation for even just one day. And being able to forget you are poor if even just for a moment is what makes the holidays special.

  22. For the people who feel they have the right to judge who gets services in our community, whether it's shelter or food–that raggedy panhandler or person sleeping in the doorway may at one time have been the same one you hailed as a hero in the military. Others have different backgrounds–they may have lost their business, their home and have no family to help. Maybe unemployment has run out, maybe they continue to work. Don't judge people. I have two degrees and a good work history, but have been out of work for well over a year, the longest in my adult life. And I have a home–a place to clean up for interviews, a warm bed to get a good night's sleep, a computer and phone. For a homeless person who has none of these things, finding a job is nearly impossible.

    The Ballard Food Bank is the organization I'm most proud of in our community and believe it represents the true values of Ballard–compassion and heart, upholds the basic human right to food without question or judgment. It turns no one away–the homeless, working poor, families–and yes–even the neo condo owner next door who is having a hard time making ends meet. Everyone is served. The people working and volunteering at our food bank are true heroes–the blessing I'm most grateful for this Thanksgiving. Thanks to every one of them, and to you, the community who cares as deeply about helping and caring for each other as you do about helping and loving a sweet rangy old homeless cat called False Pip.

    Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.

    MaryW

  23. The Ballard Food Bank also delivers food for people who can't physically come for food–the elderly and disabled. Rather than berating and haranguing the food bank and shelters we should be laying roses at their door.

  25. My partner suffered a (minor) stroke last Friday, I've been out of a full-time gig for nearly a year and yet I have a roof over my head, food on my table, a cat who seems to like me and I'll be volunteering at the food bank tomorrow.

    This Thanksgiving, I'm choosing to count my blessings, not my troubles. May all of you (even the crabby ones) have a happy, healthy Turkey Day too.

  28. I usually work Tuesdays, but have to take care of some business tomorrow morning…will try to get back to the food bank in the afternoon. I also volunteer there on Wednesdays. There are some truly remarkable people there–you're in for a treat.

    Best wishes for your partner's speedy recovery. Looking forward to crossing paths~

    MaryW

  29. There's one in every party! You know, the unwanted, miserable, unfun person. Newsflash – That's you Vylna!

    Yes, you stick in the mud, turd, who is so concerned about a pat of butter or bit of whipped cream that you might want to rob some homeless person of just a little bit of excess on a holiday. Did they ask you to save them from butter and whipped cream? At what point did someone walk up and say I can't control myself, please don't offer butter.

    Just because they are offered does it mean people would be forced to consume it, right5? You pass it by right? Shouldn't that be each person's OWN choice? Even if they are homeless and adicted in some way?

    In short, who made you king of someone else's diet? If you don't want to eat butter et al don't eat it. But don't take a tiny sliver of pleasure away from those who might want to consume just a little butter with their potatos, a little whipped cream on their pie, a little sausage in their stuffing, a reach for the extra crispy skin.. damn I'm getting hungry myself.

  31. Keep in mind that 1 in 6 americans are hungrary with 17 million being children. Please realize how fortunate you are and help out the food bank.
    The “Bums” are the vast minority. And families just like yours and mine are the ones that really benefit. Single moms, kids, grandparents. Lets drop the edge and please show compassion

  32. “In short, who made you king of someone else's diet? “

    how about the people asking me to donate them some food? If I'm gonna buy it, and give it away, I DECIDE what they eat. get it?

    you americans and your sense of entitlement always cracks me up.

  33. You foreigners and your smug comments about Americans always crack me up.

    Donate something you consider “healthy” if you need to, but your views on what foods are healthy is far too narrow. Eating a wide variety of food, including fats, is healthier than cutting fat out as much as possible.

    Butter can be healthy in moderation (from cows pastured on grass, it's rich in CLA) and if whipped cream is simply, well, cream that's been whipped with a bit of vanilla adds such a great dimension to food and you only need a little bit. Being a scrooge and always needing to categorize food into “good” or “bad” is far more unhealthy than eating for not just nourishment but pleasure.

    It's odd that someone who is apparently not American wouldn't recognize the importance of enjoying and being passionate about food, rather than obsessing about it to the point where suddenly you're the police of what homeless people eat on Thanksgiving. You don't like the food they suggested so you're not going to give anything? Better to go hungry than to eat whipped cream ONE DAY A YEAR? Are you kidding me?!

    This Thanksgiving, I'll be grateful you're not in charge of what I eat, vylna.

  34. A sense of community is one of the things that helps make Ballard a great place to live; as we volunteer for and donate to our local organizations, we build and support our community. Kudos to all those helping to make a positive difference and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

  35. Food given so begrudgingly would not taste so good so I think its best you keep what you have. I will double my donation to cover for you. No sweat. Best that way.

  36. Earth to Vylna – yes you decide by the food YOU donate. That doesn't give you the domain over anyone else's food, so no I don't “GET IT” as you so poorly put it.

    If you don't like butter it is very simple – don't donate it. But don't think because you don't like or really approve of butter that nobody else should eat butter – that isn't American (where you are now living).

    That's not how we operate over here. Btw, it isn't entitlement, it is called choice. That's what makes this country great. I guess you haven't figured that out yet.

  37. You suggested that whipped cream and butter contribute to obesity and I suggest that is not always the case. On Thanksgiving I like whipped cream on my pie and butter a go-go in various side dishes. Just cuz someone is broke doesn't mean they should go without whipped cream on their pie on a holiday. You are a crab.

    p.s. I'm quite healthy, thanks.

  38. Thank you Ballard Merchants for your generous donation so that the Ballard Food Bank can assure that our customers can choose to have butter and whipped cream for their Thanksgiving Meal.

    Thank you to all of you that have dropped by turkeys, fresh produce, pies, cash and always a smile and encouragement.

    Happy Thanksgiving Ballard, I am so glad to be living and working in such a caring community.

  39. I want to thank everyone who came out yesterday and donated turkeys, canned goods, and yes, BUTTER, along with clothes and toiletries. As a volunteer, we provide food and goods to people who are hungry either single or have families.
    All of the support makes me proud of the Ballard community. For the negative comments, why don't you come down and volunteer some of your time instead of posting nasty comments!
    Happy Thanksgiving!

  40. For some reason, I was truly offended that there weren't enough turkeys at the Ballard Food Bank. So I bought one, and some cranberries and stuffing and dropped it off today. I've worked food banks. I've seen the range of people that go through there. There were some older women in their 60s waiting in line, saying thank you and making eye contact with me.

    Of course I was unnerved when Mr. Greenwood Arson had his mail delivered to the Ballard Food Bank. Of course I think we need a better way to deal with homelessness and hunger. But until we find a way, let these folks have turkey on Thanksgiving!

  41. I would like to thank all of our fabulous volunteers who made it possible for us to serve a record amount of hungry people this Thanksgiving. Your dedication and hard work never ceases to amaze me. It is truly a privilege to work with each and every one of you.

    I know Nancy sent out a thank you to the community for their donations and support earlier in this blog. I want to second that. It was looking a bit scarce around the food bank earlier this week and we wondered if we would have enough food to cover the 1200 people we knew would be in our line.

    Thanks to an overwheming amount of support from our neighbors, businesses, community food drives and our local stores who support our grocery rescue program, we were able to offer every household a turkey and all the fixings. Thanks to all of you and….

    HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

    Peggy Bailey
    Operations Manager
    Ballard Food Bank

  42. I second everything Peggy and Nancy said–the response of our community was astounding. I've seen a lot of magic and wonder throughout my years, but working at the Ballard Food Bank today outshone them all. Thanks to everyone of you–and all the remarkable people of our community.

    Thanks especially for the cream and butter.

    All day long, truck/car/armloads of cream and butter (other food and money, too) poured through every door of the little wooden food bank…it flowed in a steady stream of smiles, love and generosity, enough to fill every nook and cranny to the rafters. There was enough butter for an Everest-sized mountain of mashed potatoes with great rushing cascades of butterfalls all the way down…enough cream to float a fleet of pumpkin pie boats. Enough turkeys and all the trimmings for EVERYONE. Plenty of Thanksgiving “luxuries” for the folks with no way to cook, too. Abundance.

    People who brought the food were filled with such joy at the giving, that I don't doubt for a minute that they were the true recipients–the needy, if you will–receiving Thanksgiving blessings. It was an upside down kind of charity.

    To Peggy and Nancy's messages of thanks, I'd like to add one more–to them. As a volunteer there for some months, I've watched these two remarkable women handle every situation with grace, with style, with love and most importantly, with humor. Two of the biggest hearts–for everyone–, the hardest working against the toughest odds, I've had the privilege to witness. Tomorrow and for the next week, no one in the Ballard Food Bank service area will go hungry.

    Today, I saw with my own eyes the miracle and magic of human kindness.
    And it was good.

    Have a wonder-FULL Thanksgiving, Ballard–I'm proud to be one of you.

    MaryW, False Pip, True Pip and Kudra

  45. Each week my husband and I harvest from our home garden and donate to the Ballard Food Bank. We've been doing this for 25 weeks now and hope to be able to continue to do so for as long as possible. Sometimes our donations are larger; sometimes they are smaller. We do what we can.

    You never know when you (or I) may be among those needing support from our community. Thank you to all the volunteers working the food bank and those donating. Truly, you make the difference, and I am thankful for your efforts!

    If you're interested in learning more about various donation and gleening projects, I invite you to read more about feeding the hungry from your own home garden here: http://www.gardenhelp.org/edible-gardens/feed-t…

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