The South Kitsap Helpline Food Bank provides critical food and other necessities to approximately 3,600 children, adults and senior citizens here in Port Orchard EVERY MONTH! Almost half of that number is children. In 08-09, our food bank helped to provide groceries to more than 14,037 local families, more than 45,832 individuals in all. Of the number of families we served, 2,592 of those were new to our program, never having used the food bank before. In addition, more than $4,160 worth of clothing, furniture and household items were donated out to individuals and families in need. We also dedicated $4,628 in direct financial assistance to help with transportation expenses and emergency motel stays for the homeless.
Our food bank is open Mondays through Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. When visiting the food bank, please bring photo identification along with proof of residency. This can be a utility bill in your name, a DSHS medical coupon, a copy of your rental agreement, etc. If you live outside of South Kitsap we can serve you, however there may be a food bank that is more convenient and we can provide you with that information.
Federal commodities are also available three times each month during regular food bank hours for individuals and families living at or below the poverty level.
Helpline always gratefully accepts donations of food from the public to assist us in our mission of helping to feed the hungry in our community. Donations of food and other necessary supplies can be made at Helpline during our regular business hours of 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or donations can be dropped off at our nursery (which is located in next to the food bank) between the hours of 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 9a.m. to 3p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. With food donations, we are unable to take food that is expired or any foods that have been prepared or packaged in a non-commercial kitchen.
As our food bank can easily can go through more than 900,000 lbs. of food each year, we encourage local service organizations, schools, churches and businesses to organize and participate in food drives for Helpline throughout the year. We can always use the help! Help from our community is what makes it possible for us to better meet the needs of those who are in crisis.
HELPLINE OFFERS LOCAL DSHS ASSISTANCE
You may be eligible for DSHS' SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) benefits (previously known as "Food Stamps" or "Basic Food") if your maximum monthly gross income is:
$1,734 for 1 person
$2,334 for 2 people
$2,934 for 3 people
$3,534 for 4 people
$4,134 for 5 people
$4,734 for 6 people
Please call 876-4089 to set up an on-site appointment with our advocate today!
Donate Food to South Kitsap Helpline
South Kitsap Helpline Food Bank is always in need of the following items.If you would like to assist us in our mission of helping to feed the hungry in our community, donations are gratefully accepted at SK Helpline during operating hours.Please call 360-876-4089 if you would like more information.
This is a list of suggested donation items.We encourage those who wish to donate to consider donating foods that have minimal sugar, salt, and preservatives.The healthier the foods are, the better they are for those who receive them.Thanks for helping us feed local children, adults, and seniors who might otherwise go without.
PORT ORCHARD NURSERY
Come visit us at the Port Orchard Nursery at 1012 Mitchell Avenue in Port Orchard from 11:00am to 6:00pm. We have vegetable starts, herbs, tomatoes, annuals & more!
At the South Kitsap Helpline it is our mission to: - provide food to low-income individuals and their families who are in need
- make referrals to other sources of assistance for our clients
- provide limited financial support to assist with medical needs as well as with emergency rent, transportation costs and utility bills when we have the funding to do so
- provide temporary food and housing assistance to victims of fire through the fire district chaplain’s voucher program
