Holiday food drives are important every year, but the need is especially great in 2020, given the pandemic and the hardship that has created for many families. Here are some opportunities for giving food as well as other items locally to brighten residents’ holidays.

With Love. This non-profit’s mission is to support foster families by providing safe, clean and quality clothing and supplies for children ages 0-6. They are holding a Stocking Stuffer and Toy Drive and are asking for new items if at all possible so these children can feel the love this holiday season. Items needed include  for Infants (0-2 years old): baby toys, balls, bath toys, bibs, blocks, bubble bath, bubbles, hair bows and brushes, hair detangler, large crayons, shape sorters, sippy cups, socks, stickers, teethers, toy cars, wipes and wrist rattles; and for Little Kids (ages 3-6): action figures, art supplies, balls, band-aids, bath toys, books, bubbles, chalk, dolls, games, gloves, hair bows, hats, Hot Wheels, Legos, movies, play jewelry, Play-Doh, puzzles, socks, stickers and underwear.  Donations can be dropped off by Saturday, December 5 at the With Love Facility, 14555 SW 74th Ave, Tigard. Hours are Mondays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. They will be closed the week of Thanksgiving and open for donations on Saturday, December 5. If you prefer to donate online, you can shop their Amazon Holiday Wish List. There are also volunteer opportunities helping to receive, process, clean, sort and organize donations. Sign up online. 

Hunger Fighters. In 2014 when students at Lake Oswego Junior High realized that food insecurity is an issue even for Lake Oswego families, they started a club to address it. Today this official nonprofit distributes food from a pantry located at 2301 Hazel Road in the green house garage on the east side of the Lake Oswego High School campus. Donations are always welcome during business hours every Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Non-perishable items be dropped off anytime and left in the container outside. Perishable items like dairy, eggs, meat and fresh fruit can be dropped off on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or by emailing to arrange an appointment. Check online for a list of currently accepted non-expired food and hygiene items. Cash is always welcome too which you can donate online. A gift of $25 feeds one person for a week. Volunteer help is also needed in a variety of areas including grocery packing, picking up donations from grocers and restaurants in the area as well as helping to stock the pantry. You can sign up online.

Tualatin School House Pantry. This Oregon Food Bank affiliate serves families each month living in Tualatin, Durham, Lake Oswego, West Linn, and Wilsonville. Cash donations are welcome to buy essentials and can be done in person or online. Canned food donations are also welcome and most needed items currently include: heart soup, chili, canned fruit, canned pasta, macaroni and cheese, canned vegetables and cold/hot cereal. Donations can be dropped off at the pantry during normal business hours: Mondays from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Volunteers are also needed in the food pantry as well as for delivering, loading, packing and picking up donations. If you would like to volunteer, sign up online.

Lake Oswego Toy Drive. Drop off new, unwrapped toys to the Lake Oswego Fire Department Main Station (300 B Avenue) by Friday, December 11. Donations will be delivered to families in need by the Tualatin Valley Elks Club. 503.635.0275.

HandsOn Portland. Check their calendar for ongoing as well as one-time volunteer opportunities. Activities include cooking at home for homeless youth, grocery shopping for homebound seniors, repairing children’s books for kids (this can be done at home with zoom-guided instructions on how to clean and repair books for distribution through the Children’s Book Bank), and fashion sorting and organizing for Dress for Success donations.

Stay up-to-date on everything Lake Oswego by subscribing to this blog. Click the “Sign me up” button in the top right-hand column and receive weekly updates. I’m a Realtor here in Lake Oswego and love promoting the quality of life here. Be sure to contact me at 503.939.9801 and/or check out my website if you’re looking to move to Lake Oswego. I’ve been helping folks move in, out and around Lake Oswego for over 30 years.