The Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank wants to be sure all youngsters in Issaquah have a special Christmas.
For the second year in a row, Pickering Barn will be transformed into a wonderland filled with brand new toys, clothing, pre-made stockings, toiletries and more. All of these gifts are donated mostly through school’s “giving trees” as well as from individual families, neighborhoods, churches, Costco, Marshall’s, Virginia Mason Hospital and more.
The event used to be called Adopt-a-Family, but it has grown exponentially, which is why the Food and Clothing Bank changed the model last year said executive director Cori Walters.
“Last year about 1,000 kids were signed up,” Walters said. “The folks who didn’t show up and came to the food and clothing bank were still able to get gifts.”
Here’s how it works. Families in need pre-register for their children aged birth to 18-years-old, in person at the food bank or online at issaquahfoodbank.org. There are only two days left to register — Nov. 29 and 30. All families must live in the Issaquah School District. Walters said 800 families have already registered this year.
Donors must drop off the unwrapped gifts at Pickering Barn Dec. 9 and 10 between 1 and 7 p.m. Then, the parents shop Dec. 11 and 12.
Each parent will get to pick out up to four gifts for each child.
“Some of the more expensive or extravagant gifts are counted as three,” Walters said.
She was referring to bicycles, electronics and technology.
Once the parents choose the gifts, donated gift wrap is right there so they can wrap the gifts themselves.
“The families love it because they can pick out what their children will like,” Walters said. “Poverty challenges in wealthier communities can be more of a challenge. Being surrounded by so much wealth it’s important that our community members know there’s (also) a hunger problem here.”
She said 1,800 kids are on free or reduced lunch in Issaquah. Holiday food will be distributed at the food bank.
“It’s really cool to be on the other side wondering how we can make Christmas a special holiday for everyone else,” Walters said. “We encourage people (donors) to think outside the box because kids like different things.”
She expects everything from board games, clothes, bikes, toys and models to come in. One thing they were short on last year were clothes for bigger teenage boys — jackets, sweatshirts and hoodies.
Any gifts left over go to the Eastside Baby Corner for its birthday program — where a child gets something brand-new for his or her birthday — or clothing bags.
Each receiving family will be given an allotted day and time to come shop based on a random lottery. Parents must bring ID to check-in. They encourage parents to not bring their children if possible.
Pickering Barn is located at 1730 10th Ave. N.W. The Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank can be reached at (425) 392-4123.
