What we do at Helping Hands

C.H.O.W. (Cutting Hunger On Weekends/Backpack Program)
More than 10,000 children in Skagit County are on the free and reduced lunch program. Thanks to the incredible support of our donors, we quietly deliver food to over 600 children each week. Additionally, support for this program is provided by Skagit Publishing, allowing bags to be delivered discretely to students along newspaper routes.

Grocery Rescue
In partnership with Food Lifeline, we obtain food six days a week from local grocery stores throughout Skagit County. The food we collect through this program is usually thrown out and sent to landfills. So, we rescue it, clean it up, and redistribute it to participants. Generally, the food rescued is disposed of because it is past the “sell-by” date, meaning much of it is still edible.

Job Internships
Helping Hands has a variety of positions at our facility – from warehouse to administrative work. Relationships with organizations such as WorkSource allow Helping Hands to enable individuals to work, learn skills, and build resumes. Many who have worked through Job Internships at Helping Hands have fulfilling careers and even went on to college to pursue higher education.

Mobile Food
Serving Skagit County, Helping Hands delivers much-needed food to home-bound participants or those who may not have transportation to participate in our programs. We provide food east up HWY 20 along the Skagit River and out to Anacortes to many participants.

Navigation Center
Helping Hands has D.S.H.S. trained staff who can assist any participant needing additional services. Additionally, our staff members can support individuals out in the field, helping those we encounter via Mobile Food.

Project Open Table Skagit
Project Open Table Skagit collaborates with Helping Hands and Leadership Skagit’s Team Open Table (T.O.T.). T.O.T. is building four free-standing “Little Free Pantries” to serve as an extension of the H.H.F.B. services to address food insecurity. This project helps alleviate some of our community members’ inability to visit a food pantry during regular business hours and reach those who are reluctant to ask for help. These pantries are filled with non-perishable, ready-to-eat food on a weekly basis and are open 24/7. 

Diaper Bank of Skagit County
United Way of Skagit County

Diapers & Baby Care Essentials
The Diaper Bank of Skagit County and Helping Hands Food Bank have teamed up to expand access to essential items like diapers, wipes, and formula for families in need across Skagit County. This collaboration will enhance the ability of both organizations to serve the community by offering these crucial resources to those who require them most. We are thankful for the chance to work together and anticipate the positive outcomes we can achieve in partnership.


How Can I Volunteer?
How Can I Donate?
How Do I Get Food?