How you can support MSC

Monetary Contributions

Monetary contributions allow MSC to provide help, hope, and change by meeting the greatest need. MSC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Donations can be made securely online or by mailing to MSC Development Department, 1200 S. 336th Street, Federal Way, WA, 98003.

Corporate Sponsorships

MSC’s offers event sponsorship opportunities and our Premier Business Partner Program to corporations who support our work. The Premier Business Partner Program recognizes businesses who provide a level of support equal or greater than $2500 on a calendar year basis. For more information or to register as a sponsor, please contact Erin Trivelas, Events and Corporate Relations Manager, or click here. Click here for a list of current MSC Premier Business Partners.

Donations of Stock

There are lots of advantages to making a gifts of stocks. Although you should check with your tax professional about how these rules apply to you, the following information may help you understand the process:

• Under current tax laws, the full fair-market value of stocks and bonds (up to a percentage of adjusted gross income, with a five-year carryover for any “excess”) may be deducted. The extra benefit of donating appreciated stocks or bonds is that federal capital gains tax on the securities unrealized appreciation may be avoided.
• The value of your gift of securities is based upon the mean between the high and low quotations on the specific day your securities pass from your control.

To donate stock, contact your broker to determine the stock and number of shares you would like to contribute and then contact MSC’s Development Director with your broker’s information.

Planned Giving

Make an investment in MSC’s future with a living legacy gift or bequest. Planning a gift of assets with estate and tax implications in mind enables you to help MSC while keeping your own financial goals in mind. You may fund your gift in various ways including cash, real estate, property, stock, life insurance and retirement funds. A legacy gift can help you avoid capital gains taxes at the time of the gift, protect assets otherwise subject to estate and gift taxes and reduce current income taxes. For more information on planning a legacy gift to MSC, contact your attorney or  MSC’s Development Director. South Sound Giving Council also has put together a great video on estate planning basics.

Workplace Giving & Matching Gifts

Many employers support the community by providing options to contribute through payroll deductions or matching employee donations or volunteer time. Your human resources representative can give you more information on how your company’s workplace giving is handled.

Gifts of Goods or Services

MSC accepts in-kind donations of food (including home-grown produce), hygiene products, and the following NEW items for all ages/sizes: sweatshirts, hoodies, sweatpants, jackets, socks, gloves, and scarves. We also accept items from our Amazon wish lists to support both our food bank (wish list) and housing clients (wish list). We are unable to accept other items.

Currently, the most needed items in the food bank include:

• Canned soups and meals
• Canned vegetables and fruits (including tomatoes)
• Canned or pouched meats
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Pasta (all varieties) and pasta sauce
• Macaroni and cheese
• Rice
• Canned or dry beans
• Cereal and/or oatmeal
• Crackers
• Pudding and fruit cups
• Juice
• Granola bars and high-energy foods
• Infant and toddler needs such as diapers, baby formula, baby cereal and jarred food
• Hygiene products such as small soaps, shampoos and toiletries (including razors and deodorant)
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Feminine hygiene products
• Can openers
• Plastic flatware (spoons, forks)

Canned food with pop-tops and food that doesn’t require cooking are helpful for our customers who are unhoused. Donations can be dropped off at our warehouse at 1200 S. 336th St. in Federal Way (drive down alley behind building) between 8:30am-4pm Monday-Friday (except holidays). During food bank distribution hours (Mon, Wed, and Friday between 10am-2pm) the alley is blocked off with cones. If the alley is blocked when you arrive to make a donation, please visit our lobby and our staff can accept your donation there or they may ask food bank staff to remove the cones so you may drive down to the warehouse.

If you would like to donate new clothing or household goods to support our clients. Please check our Amazon Wish List for items needed in the food bank or our Amazon Wish List for household items to support residents in our housing programs.

MSC is accepting some used household items on a needed basis for our housing programs. To be alerted when a need arises, please join MSC’s Welcome Home Club to help families exiting homelessness. MSC’s family shelter is a first stop for families exiting homelessness. They often arrive with nothing but a few personal belongings. MSC tries to provide basic furniture and small household items such as dishes, towels, and bedding. Most of these items come from generous community members like you. MSC often sees needs that we cannot meet and we don’t have long-term storage for many of these items. So, to better meet the needs of the families we serve, we have created the Welcome Home Club, an email notification list for when there is a family in need of help with the gift of household items. Join MSC’s Welcome Home Club by sending an email to [email protected] with Welcome Home Club in the subject.