How to Help At-Risk Youth During Covid-19 | Donate Goods & Volunteer
Last updated: February 23, 2021, at 4:53 p.m. PT
Originally published: April 8, 2020, at 4:09 p.m. PT
As part of our community response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re providing nightly shelter to youth and young adults experiencing homelessness. Many people have asked what they can do to help support our work. We’ve provided a list of various items currently needed to serve the vulnerable young people we see everyday.
Items to Donate for Youth in Housing Programs
A one-month supply of basic household supplies like:
- Trash bags
- Dish soap
- Sponges
- Paper towels
- Non-latex gloves
- Antibacterial cleaning products
- Disinfecting wipes
- Compostable food serving supplies (spoons, knives, forks, bowls, plates, etc.)
A one-month supply of basic hygiene items like:
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Hand and bar soap
- Hand sanitizer
- Laundry detergent
- Feminine hygiene items
- Basic shaving items
- Shampoo
- Toilet paper
Food supplies like:
- Rice and pasta
- Pasta sauce
- Canned vegetables
- Canned fruits
- Granola or cereal bars
- Oatmeal
- Cereal
- Packaged dinners
- Gift cards for fresh food purchases
Other household items like:
- Twin-size sheet set
- Twin-size comforters
- Pillows
- Flatware sets
- Dinnerware sets
- Cooking utensil sets
- Kitchen towels
For shelter programs, they could use donations of:
- Underwear, all sizes / genders
- Shirts, all sizes / genders
- Shorts or Sweatpants, all sizes / genders
- Gift cards - food, retail, phone, etc.
- Laundry detergent
- Other various gift cards
- Ride share gift cards (Uber/Lyft)
- Grocery gift cards for fresh food items
- Amazon gift cards
How to Donate Goods for Housing Programs
- Purchase items on our Amazon wish list. All purchased and donated items will route directly to our shelter sites.
- Purchase an e-gift card and send it to acceleratorvolunteer@seattleymca.org. We will send it to a program participant in need of extra financial support at this time. Suggested stores include: Safeway, Target, Costco, Fred Meyers, etc.
Make or Provide a Meal
Support the youth and young adults living in our shelters and transitional living homes by either cooking or purchasing a meal. If you plan to prepare a meal on your own, please have a valid food worker card (requires a short online course, followed by a quiz and a $10 fee). If this places a financial burden on you and your family, please let us know and we will gladly cover this cost for you.
Want to do even more? Make a donation to the Social Impact Center.
Questions? For drop off locations, serving meals and additional information please email rebeccakuhn@seattleymca.org
As a 501(c)3 organization, your in-kind gift may be tax deductible, up to the fair market value of the items at the time they are donated. Our tax ID number is 91-0482710.