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Last year, in the United States looked to food banks and food pantries for support, according to a 2023 report from Feeding America. The end of COVID-era government assistance programs and the rising cost of groceries due to inflation have many Americans facing food insecurity.

According to a 2023 Department of Agriculture report, 12.8% of households around the country—about 17 million—were . That's up from the 10.2% of households who had difficulty providing food for everyone in their home in 2021, and also up from the 10.5% who said the same in 2020. It's the highest share of food-insecure households in the U.S. since 2014.

The rise of food insecurity and the economic situation in the U.S. means that food banks are struggling to keep up with the demand. "Local food banks, pantries, and community meal programs have become an essential component of many households' food budgets, especially as we continue to face increased food prices and the end of pandemic-era benefits," Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, accompanying the nonprofit's aforementioned report. In an earlier 2023 survey from Feeding America, 65% of responding food banks reported an .

It can be difficult to know where to go if you want to help, as many do during the holiday season in particular. To help guide you, compiled a list of food bank volunteer opportunities near Seattle using data from . Read on to see what you can do for those grappling with food insecurity in your community, from distributing lunches to seniors to serving meals at soup kitchens.

Food Bank Loader/Helper - Help ensure food reaches vulnerable community members during COVID-19
- Organization: Asian Counseling and Referral Service
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Can you drive a van? Morning pick up driver(s) needed!
- Organization: The Food Bank @ St. Mary's
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AmeriCorps Position - Food Bank Program Assistant
- Organization: El Centro de la Raza
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Accelerating Social Change Leadership
- Organization: Idealist.org
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Prepare and Serve Lunch for Homeless Youth and Young Adults
- Organization: New Horizons Ministries
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Homeless Outreach Volunteers Needed
- Organization: Seattle Homeless Outreach
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Lifelong: Double Bagging Volunteer (Off-Site)
- Organization: Lifelong
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Feed People in Need
- Organization: Phinney Neighborhood Association
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Seeking Responsible Kitchen Lead Volunteers!
- Organization: Teen Feed
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Student Opportunity--Help Fight Hunger Around America's Breakfast Tables
- Organization: CEREAL4ALL INC
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55 or older? Lead a cooking and nutrition class!
- Organization: Solid Ground
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to pack bags for kids!
- Organization: Backpack Brigade
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Group Opportunities - Food Bank
- Organization: Pike Market Senior Center & Food Bank
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Meal Preparation
- Organization: IMMANUEL COMMUNITY SERVICES
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Feed Hungry Families - Behind the Scenes Support of a Food Bank
- Organization: White Center Food Bank
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Community Meals Support at Galaxy Kitchen--Weekday Mornings
- Organization: FareStart
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Meals on Wheels: Help Make a Difference in Renton!
- Organization: Sound Generations
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Hot meal prep team
- Organization: AURORA COMMONS
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Mondays - Intake team - Welcome, database entry, community resources
- Organization: The Giving Room
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SeaTac: Deliver Food To Isolated Seniors During COVID-19 Outbreak
- Organization: Volunteer Services
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Drive People and Food Around Shoreline in the Community Van
- Organization: Hopelink
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Food Distribution Check-in Volunteer - Lake City
- Organization: North Helpline
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ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS - Age 55+
- Organization: Lutheran Community Services
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Team Building Volunteering Program
- Organization: Renewal Food Bank
- Dates: Dec 4 to Mar 3
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Northshore Health and Wellness Center Kitchen Helper
- Organization: Northshore Senior Center
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This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 101 metros.