Donate Funds
Financial donations are critical to keep the freezers running, stock the cooler with meat, produce and dairy items, pay the rent, keep the van on the road picking up and delivering food, and for covering salaries for the three employees who do the work of a small army!
Please support our vital work now.
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Planned Giving - Wills & Bequests
A bequest, which is a gift through your will or living trust, enables RVFB to follow through with our mission of providing healthy food for our hungry neighbors. We invite you to include us in your future estate plans.
Legal Name: Rainier Valley Food Bank
Tax Identification Number: 91-1500768
Address: 4205 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98118
Phone Number: 206 723 4105
RVFB will always strive to honor your wishes. We strongly recommened that you consult an attorney in the preparation of your will and to supervise its execution so as to comply with state requirements.
Host a Food Drive
Consider holding a food and fund drive at your school or work. To make your drive easy, we’ve created some documents that will guide you through the process.
Donate Food
We can always use donations of high protein, healthy foods, such as:
- Canned chicken, tuna and salmon
- Hearty meat soups and stews
- Canned vegetables and fruits
- Dry and canned beans (mung, kidney, pinto, green, yellow, lentils, refried or black beans)
- Peanut butter
- Rice and pasta
- Pancake and baking mixes
- Oatmeal
- Granola and energy bars
- Dried fruits (raisins, dried cranberries, apricots, apples, etc)
- Ensure and other nutritional supplement drinks
- Infant Formula
- Diapers – all sizes
Last, But not Least
- Paper or plastic bags for clients to carry food
- Cleaning supplies - brooms, mops, cleaning solution
Drop-off times for donations of food :
Tuesday through Saturday, 7am-2pm
(Please call ahead 206/723-4105 to make sure someone is in the office to receive your donation!)
If you live in the neighborhood and are having difficulty transporting your donation, please contact info@rvfb.org to schedule a pick up.
If interested in working towards our vision of a 'Hunger free Rainier Valley' please take a few moments and fill out our Volunteer Application.
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Volunteering at the food bank is important, fun, rewarding work that has a great impact on our community. We are looking for upbeat volunteers who can help. If you enjoy working with others, interact with the public well, and can commit to a shift, we can use your talents! If you have the time, muscle and a smile to contribute, we’d love to talk to you about the following volunteer positions:
Distribution Helper: Wednesdays and Saturdays - 7:30 am to 2:30 pm
Usually our two busiest days of the week, Wednesdays/Saturdays are reserved for distributing food to our neighborhood. On this day you may find yourself preparing food for distribution and distributing food to clients at the food bank. It is imperative that we deliver the highest degree of customer service to our guests as they gather their groceries for the week.
This position requires volunteers to remain standing for 3 hours at a time and to be able to lift upto 50 lbs. It also requires volunteers to carefully follow U.S. Department of Health Food Safety standards. This means composting any food that is no longer safe for consumption and keeping our food bank clean.
Warehouse Assistant: Tuesdays and Fridays - 7:30 am to Noon
These two days are typically reserved for general clean up of the warehouse and distribution area. In this position, you may find yourself moving and organizing boxes of food, as well as organizing and stocking food on shelves. This can be heavy work and it is helpful if you are able to lift 50 pounds. We are continually looking for ways to provide a more respectful environment for our guests and therefore encourage volunteers to continually engage in cleaning projects.
Food Drive Helper:
Saturdays - 10 am to 2 pm & Sundays - 4 pm to 7 pm
We aim to hold at least three food drives each weekend. We are continually (each week) looking for ways to replenish our non-perishable food supply.
Food drive volunteers pass out fliers and encourage visiting customers to support their local food bank. Many neighbors do in fact pick up groceries and drop them off at our donation barrels as they leave the store. A warm greeting and attitude is a requirement while volunteering at a food drive.
Home Delivery Assistant: Thursdays - 7 am to Noon
Help put a smile on an elderly person's face. Each Thursday our volunteers make and deliver close to 100 bags of food to home bound neighbors. Home Delivery Assistants make sure that each bag is made with a great deal of care and attention and then delivered to its rightful owner.
Administrative Helper: Fridays - 10 am to 2 pm
In this position you will be helping us keep our spreadsheets and databases up to date. Please inquire about this position only if you are proficient with data entry.
What to Expect
Parking Street parking is available around the block on Adams Street, Genessee Street, and Rainier Avenue.
Dress Code Be prepared for cold temperatures throughout most of the year. Wear warm clothing in layers. Don't forget hats, scarves, and gloves. Sturdy, closed toe shoes are compulsory and volunteers must wear them.
Paperwork and Orientation Please feel free to fill out our Volunteer Application and read our Volunteer Policies and Procedures. You will be contacted by a RVFB staff person shortly afterwards. You will be given an orientation and tour of the food bank prior to starting your first shift.
If you would like to volunteer and have further questions please contact Elise Cope at 206 723 4105 or elise@rvfb.org.
Volunteered with us? We'd love your feedback! Please take a moment to complete our volunteer survey today!