Where To Donate Food, Clothing, Gifts In Renton This Holiday Season

The Holiday season can be a joyous time of year, but it can also be a cold, lonely and dire time. There are a number of organization in Renton collecting donations for families in need, so Patch compiled a list:

Giving Trees:

The Renton City Hall and Renton Community Center lobbies look especially festive this time of year. Each location is home to a Christmas tree adorned with “giving cards” in place of ornaments.

The cards are part of the Salvation Army’s program to help Renton families in need of assistance during the holidays.

Select a tag from the Holiday Angel Tree at either Renton City Hall, 1055 South Grady Way, or the Renton Community Center, 1715 Maple Valley Highway. Both locations are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Purchase the items on the card and return the unwrapped gifts to either City Hall or the Community Center with the “giving card” tag attached. Items must be returned by December 19.

Toy ‘N Joy Program:

Want to give back more? Adopt a family for the holidays through the Toy ‘N Joy Program where needy families select two toys per child and receive a holiday food basket. Gift certificates to stores that carry housewares, groceries, toys, and clothing in all the same location work great, according to the City of Renton’s December newsletter. To donate to the Toy ‘N Joy Program, contact Captain Lisa Aird at 425-255-5974 or email lisa.aird@.asw.salvationarmy.org.

Bell Ringers

The Salvation Army is looking for more bell ringers. There are a number of locations in Renton and individuals or groups are welcome to volunteer. Contact Captain Chris Aird at 425-255-5974 or 425-255-5969, or by email at chris.aird@usw.salvationarmy.org. Click here to read Aird’s letter to the editor.

Give Online 

Support a city-sponsored assistance program through tax-deductible online giving. The web site collects donations for the Utility Department’s Emergency Assistance Program, the Neighborhood Program’s Housing Repair Program, the Renton Scholarship program, and the Renton Rotary Salvation Army Food Bank.

Renton Fire and Emergency Services:

Renton’s Fire Department is collecting food for the Salvation Army for the 25th year. Click here to read more about the food drive. Donations are accepted through December 17.

Renton Area Youth Services (RAYS)

Is collecting toiletries and books for it’s Holiday Festival, which will serve 300 families. Toiletry donations can be dropped off at the RAYS Family Center (12704 76th Ave. South) or at Kelley Imaging (8725 South 212th Street, Kent). Children’s book donations can be purchased or dropped off at the Old Renton Book Exchange (227 Wells Ave. South). Donations accepted through Dec. 21.