Edmonds Toy Shop

Our annual gifting to the community has been successful in one form or another since the food bank first opened in 1981. It all began as a grassroots effort by those motivated to give. Volunteers, many of whom were active in the work of the food bank and the outreach of Edmonds United Methodist Church, decided they would spread joy and provide some additional cheer for families during the holiday season. Toys and gifts were collected for children and distributed along with food from Edmonds Food Bank. These generous efforts eventually transformed into a one-day gifting event: caregivers are invited to freely “shop” for their children for gifts, such as toys, gifts, winter wear, stuffed animals, books, and even bikes (new and gently used).

Over time, the Toy Shop program has grown to serve more and more families. It has also evolved to engage our Edmonds community as volunteers or donors. To best sustain this growth, leadership and managerial responsibilities have shifted hands between the church and the Edmonds Food Bank. Both entities provide necessary, continued support; in partnership, with the common goal of serving children and families.

In 2021, shortly after achieving its own non-profit status, the Edmonds Food Bank was named the fiscal agent under which the Edmonds Toy Shop operates.

Our hope is that someday our program will grow to serve fewer families because that would signify a reduction in societal poverty.