Visits are free of charge. There are no income guidelines to access regular services at the food bank. A photo ID is helpful, but not required.

If you are picking up food for someone else, please bring a copy or photo of their ID (snapshot/text/email) and a dated note each time you pick up for them. We will be enforcing this rule at every visit.

How often can I visit?

IMPORTANT: Effective February 1, 2023, each household may make 2 Full Visits per month and 1 Supplemental Visit per week.

Full Visit = non-perishable foods, protein, produce, pastries, dairy, and other items as available. Pet food is available during Full Visits, as well as partial Other Bank supplies: adult diapers, incontinence pads, menstrual supplies, baby diapers, pull-ups, baby food, and baby formula.
Supplemental Visit = produce, bread, pastries, Starbucks items, pizza, dairy and perishable food as available, and baby formula.
**Important – Supplemental visits don’t include partial Other Bank supplies**

Note: Other Bank supplies are available at Olympia’s Food Pantry and Lacey’s Food Pantry unless otherwise noted.

• Baby food sorted by stages 1-3 is available at full visits and formula (milk or soy based), based on availability, at full and supplemental visits.
  • Newborn Baby bags
  • Incontinence and menstrual care supplies available at full visits.
  • Emergency personal care items. You must ask for these.
• Other Bank Supplies for Adults — cleaning and personal care products given out once a month at:
  • Lacey’s Food Pantry in the 2nd week of the month
  • Olympia’s Food Pantry downtown on the 2nd Wednesday of the month
• Nutritionals — Based on availability, Ensure and other liquid nutritionals are available on request as a meal supplement or replacement.
• Birthday bags – Parents with children age 12 and under can request a birthday bag when they pick up groceries at the Food Bank. The birthday bag contains cake mix and frosting, small gifts, books and party favors to support a family celebration.

Additional Food Programs:

TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program)

This federal commodity program provides shelf stable and perishable foods on a first come first served basis to those who self-declare that they meet income guidelines. Although the amount and quantity is limited, it is offered in addition to the basic food bag. Service level is based on the household size (scaled up for larger families).

CSFP (The Commodities Supplemental Food Program)

This case-managed federal program targets seniors age 60 or older. Eligibility requirements must be met before receiving services and are verified annually. The amount of food is consistent from month to month and offered in addition to our other services. Limited home delivery is available.

Holiday Meal Boxes

In addition to our regular food bags, boxes of food to prepare a holiday meal are pre-packed and distributed before Thanksgiving. Meal boxes will be available at Olympia’s and Lacey’s Food Pantries, Pop-Up Locations, and some Satellite Locations.

FORKids (For Kids Program)

This is our school backpack meal program which targets children at risk of experiencing food insecurity. Two days worth of kid-friendly foods are provided on Fridays at area elementary schools. This program creates a community support bridge for the Free and Reduced School Lunch (Breakfast) Program.

Please contact your child’s school for more information on how to access this service.

Summer Lunch Program

Healthy sack lunches and snacks are distributed to children during the summer when school lunches are not available. Services are targeted to low income children, and offered through summer programs and a mobile meal program traveling to various neighborhoods on a fixed schedule.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Education and Outreach

Under this USDA Program, we assist clients in completing the SNAP (food stamps) application and provide help negotiating the system. The goal is to improve access to food stamp benefits.

Food Sampling Events

The Food Bank has two to three monthly food sampling events. With the help of volunteers and our nutrition educators, delicious food samples are prepared for clients. The focus is the importance of the preparation and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables with a goal of a 15% increase in these nutritious foods within a year’s time. In addition to food samples, we offer recipes, basic cooking tips and ideas, and recipe kits. This program is partially funded through the SNAP-Ed Federal Grant.

School Gardens

The Food Bank supports school gardens in our service area as a way to provide fresh, nutritious produce to low-income students. Some school gardens donate a portion of their produce to the Food Bank in exchange for summer garden tending and watering. The Food Bank provides more intensive support to schools that have large numbers of students in the FORKids weekend food program.

Mobile Food Bank System

This service is provided to community members living in targeted, low-income housing where circumstances create access barriers to those in need of food bank services. For a list of locations and contact information, click here.