At YWCA, we are on a mission eliminate racism and empower women. We work with women and families furthest from opportunity and work to eliminate disparities in housing, economic advancement, health, and safety. BIPOC communities have continued to be the hardest hit in the face of continued economic challenges resulting from the pandemic and continued inflation. To support those most vulnerable in our community, we need your help!
This time of year, families frantically shop for backpacks, school supplies, and new clothing as their students prepare to return to school. For families living in our YWCA emergency shelters, the needs are the same, but getting these items is much more difficult.
YWCA is collecting donations and Fred Meyer/Kroger, Walmart, or Target gift cards to support the elementary, middle, and high school students in our programs across King and Snohomish counties. For the 2025 school year we are asking for:
- $100 gift cards for each student
Gift cards lets students buy the backpack they want and the specific supplies needed for their school, as well as money for other important items like a new outfit or shoes for the first day of school. Getting to pick out exactly what they want instills pride and empowerment so that students, especially those starting at a new school, are excited to start the school year.
The need isn’t just in September. We are experiencing a larger number of families moving into emergency housing and out into more permanent supportive housing throughout the year, which means the start at a new school for some students is after school officially begins.
We accept School Days donations and gift cards at YWCA’s School Days program at our Phillis Wheatley Branch Monday to Friday, 9:00AM to 5:00PM, from July 18 to August 22.
You are also welcome to mail gift cards directly to us. Please mail to:
YWCA – Phillis Wheatley Branch
ATTN: Lori Bugaj, School Days
2820 E. Cherry Street
Seattle, WA 98122
Please don’t delay! School begins for some students as early as August 27, so please drop off or mail your donation before August 22. If you have any questions, please email Lori Bugaj at lbugaj@ywcaworks.org.
If you or your organization would like to host a filled backpack or school supply drive, please contact Lori Bugaj at lbugaj@ywcaworks.org for a list of items we like to include in the backpacks for each student. Our School Days 2025 Amazon wish list is here.
Summer is here and the kids in our programs are looking for things to do. Please consider donating the following types of items to help keep the kids busy and engaged this summer:
- $25 Gas gift cards – for families to go and enjoy the outdoors
- Sports balls and equipment – basketballs, footballs, baseballs, volley, soccer and tennis balls (Please NO bats or toy guns)
- Arts and craft kits and supplies
- Tickets or passes to games, events and attractions
- Water fun – sunscreen, beach balls, frisbees, beach towels and sand toys
Children’s items can also be found on our Amazon wish list at: https://a.co/hHMuI4L
Our Summer Fun Drive runs now through the end of August. Donations can be dropped off at our Phillis Wheatley Office, located at 2820 E Cherry St. Seattle, WA 98122 Mon-Fri between 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM.
Coming in August: Back to School Days!
A BIG Thank You to everyone who participated in our Mother’s Day Drive, with special thanks to Amazon BF15, Premera, Kalos Church, Sound Transit, and SpaceX. With your generous donations we were able to hand out 453 Mother’s Day bags to the women in our programs!
For individuals and/or organization who want to host a drive for YWCA, we now have a “Host a Drive” sign up form on our Volunteer page where you can sign up to host the drive of your choice. We’ll send you a list of the items we need along with a link to our Amazon wishlist and instructions.
