Always there have never failed to come except for when they have already told us that they were not coming or delivering on that day but always still deliver even if it's later they are always there for me. ‍ read more

One of the most degrading, humiliating experiences in my life. I was told by a neighbor that they have all kinds of food to give away. Me, being not rich, decided to go with him. When I got in, it was worse than a high-school cafeteria. I started at the beginning of the "line" and found bins marked with maximum quantities to take out. Four potatoes. Three carrots. One onion. One bunch cilantro. One beet (blech!). One bag stale popcorn. One loaf of ROCK hard leftover bread from a local bakery. I fracture a front tooth on that! Everything here looked like old stock from the local grocery produce department. I looked around, and on that day they were out of just about everything. Dairy, meat, eggs, sugar, flour--even macaroni and cheese. Nothing worth having. It was like going through a food line in Russia collecting scraps. I don't care how little I have any more, will never, ever go through THAT morose experience again. Ever. And I hope you never have to, either. It is ROCK BOTTOM. read more

I hate making a bad review for this place but I don't know where else to rely this information. This place used to be somewhere where disadvantaged, disabled and other kinds of vulnerable people could go to get much needed food but it's been taken over by people who don't need the service looking to take advantage of the system to save a few bucks. This new "reservation" idea is not helping the people that the bank is intended to help. I'm sure it's great for the people who volunteer there but it's at the expense of the vulnerable which in my opinion is shameful. Usually you go in and take a number and wait for your turn to go in. The guy at the door doesn't tell people as they come in that every half an hour they will stop everything so that the people who have the ability and flexible schedule to make a reservation go in ahead of the people waiting patiently in groves to take all of the good food then you get to watch them take the huge bags of food out to their Mercedes and drive away as you wait longer and longer to go into a bare shelved food bank. Presumably the guy at the door doesn't tell people this because he knows it's wrong and when the hungry people who are standing in line patiently look upset the ladies at the desk laugh at them. How is this ok? Why do you volunteer here please ask yourself this. The people who really need this service don't have the kind of lifestyle or mental capacity that allows them the flexibility to make an appointment and keep it some of them are mentally disabled and some don't know what their lives are going to look like or where they are sleeping a week from now let alone to keep an appointment a week from now. They don't have computers or cell phones to make a reservation or have the wherewithal to do that. The only people benefiting from this system are people who probably don't need it and the volunteers. I started coming here when I lost my job due to Covid and went back to school so when I'm broke and have no food I have somewhere to go. I asked the guy at the door why people were going in skipping the people who had been waiting patiently and he indignantly waved a slip of paper with QR code in my face to make an appointment. I decided not to make an appointment because I think it's wrong. Why would I want to skip all of the vulnerable and disadvantaged people who had been waiting patiently and don't understand the system? What kind of a person does that? When I made it into the bank the place was empty after the swarm of basically vip people came through and the volunteers only started restocking the shelves right before the next group of reservation people came through. When I and politely to trade the expired beef for the fresh chicken that came in after I picked up the beef and the volunteer laughed at me. I asked very nicely. I don't understand why these volunteers are acting like this. This is a food bank not New Yours newest restaurant. This policy is so backward. I felt so bad for the people with numbers who waited patiently and came in to empty shelves. Some of them were old and disabled and went home with next to nothing. Whoever came up with this system and those who endorse it should be ashamed. read more

They have everything however there's a lot of drug activity happening that's not being discussed or handled

The Ballard Food Bank sets a high standard on quality assistance. This past year I have been very grateful for all their help. I was able to get groceries and even my mail delivered there. They even had vegan items set aside for us vegans when we ask for them which is amazing! Many thanks and appreciation for all that they do! read more

The last two times I went to donate, the volunteers who responded to my yells were very inappropriate with me. Volunteers need to understand that they are representing the food bank and they have a direct impact on whether people feel safe and helped when donating. In my last two donations, the guy helping me hit on me for a date, and the other time, when looking into my cargo bay, the volunteer begged me to give him items in my car that I was not donating. I had to say no three times. To be clear, he was not encouraging me to donate, he wanted to have my clothes and car items for himself. I parked my car after donating and went back to talk to him about it, and he sort of understood and apologized. Which was more than I got from the management. I left phone messages to follow up that I thought it was important that volunteers be trained and vetted not to scare people away from donating. It's been several months now and I just don't feel it's worth the risk of stress to go back. I worry about those who are inside getting food and essentials. They don't have as many choices when volunteers are inappropriate. It's one thing when other clients/guests are cantankerous, you can just chalk that up to human nature when people are stressed by scarcity and traffic flow rules. Volunteers who uphold a higher standard of decent and helpful behavior would improve this place immensely. I have dealt with some focused, polite and appropriate ones, but incidents like I have had should simply not happen, ever. read more

This is a neighborhood food bank and service center, as I call it. An individual can get a replacement ID, sign up to receive their mail, get food all in this Ballard spot. read more

Any community funded non- profit that helps out those in need of food, hygiene products, and other miscellaneous needs gets my Yelp 5 Star Stamp of Approval. I never give enough. Not many do. Some do. The folks at Ballard Food Bank do. They offer up a clothing and hygiene bar, home delivery of groceries for the elderly and disabled a few days a week, as well as lunch, and a coffee and pastry service on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. They run a tight ship in there and I like it. I swung by this afternoon with a trunk full o' goodies and the place was boppin'. People were working hard, folks were being supplied with groes.. It was impressive. Give online if you so choose, which is pretty dang cool: http://www.ballardfoodbank.org/content/view/9/23/ Or donate in person: Donation hours are: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 to 3:00pm Currently, they've got a promotion going at the Ballard Safeway where if you donate $5 with your grocery purchase, they'll donate a turkey to the Ballard Food Bank. I'm not a fan of this Safeway, but I am a fan of the bank, so I went ahead and did it. Spread a little holiday cheer and drop 'whatever you can' here when you're in the 'hood. It'll make you feel good. Damn good. read more

Ballard Food Bank - Food Banks Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The people who work at the Ballard Food Bank are sweet, kind-hearted, and keep everything running smoothly. My sister and I stop in occasionally when we need help with groceries. Everyone is organized and help you in any way they can. You are always greeted with a smile and treated respectfully. I really like the fact that volunteers will make suggestions and tell you about the variety of food items available. After you select your groceries they quickly bag them up for you and even help you out to your car. Honestly, their customer service is what every grocery store wishes they could be. I wish I could give more than 5 stars. read more

Our family has had the pleasure of visiting this food bank twice in the last few months. Volunteers are always helpful and friendly.

With winter rolling in, I decided to sort through my closet and donate all the sweaters and shoes I hadn't worn during the past year. If I haven't worn them recently, bet is I won't wear them again in the future. I thought of all the homeless and those in need who would benefit from the clothing more than me. When I passed by the clothing/shoe donation boxes around town, all three of the boxes are owned by FOR-profit companies and benefit off of our big hearts. I wanted to donate my items DIRECTLY to those who need them, without the chance of resale. I stopped in at the Ballard Food Bank which was hopping busy. The wonderful staff and volunteers accepted my clothing donations with open arms. They let me know that they give all the donations to The Bridge Care Center which serves Ballard's homeless, located at 1516 NW 51st Street. Normally they would have me stop over at The Bridge, but since they were closed they saved me an extra tip. After offering a charity tax form, they even had me write down my address for a thank you card. Great organization! read more

Ballard Food Bank - They sent me a thank you card!! - Food Banks Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Whoo hoo! I just dropped off a donation of canned goods and feeling good! The guys were super nice, carrying a rather heavy box for me. There was a line of people waiting and I hope they get some good stuff from me! read more

Wonderful people doing terrific things for hard-working, struggling, underserved members of the Ballard community. By lifting them up, the Ballard Food Bank lifts us all. Yay! Love love love. read more