These wish lists include the most commonly needed and requested items in our programs. Don’t have time to drop off donations? You can always donate monetarily on this website and designate Bean’s or TCL (or both). We know Alaska loves Amazon! Use Amazon Smile for your Amazon purchases and we’ll receive a part of the proceeds too! Shop at Fred Meyer? Join their donation program and we’re rewarded for your shopping trips.
Bean's Cafe Clothing Donations View List
Donation Drive at Sullivan Arena
- TWIN size blankets or smaller only (our laundry capacity can only handle twin sizes or smaller)
- New Preferred or Laundered with High Heat and Bagged
- Due to Health Concerns, we will not accept blankets that are not laundered, have pet hair, or smell of cigarettes.
- We also need new underwear, new sports bras, men’s t-shirts and sweatshirts (XL and larger).
Bean's Cafe Food Donations View
Click here for full, printable ongoing wish lists for Bean’s Cafe and The Children’s Lunchbox.
Bean’s Cafe Food Wish List: Our number one needs are always coffee, proteins fresh fruit and vegetables, hot chocolate and toilet paper. However, click the link above to see our full, updated list.
The Children's Lunchbox View List
Click here for the full, printable school food pantry box list. This is our top priority right now! The school food pantry list is different from what you see listed below. If you are interested in assembling pantry boxes please contact us to receive the emailed instructions. info@beanscafe.org
•Fruit Leather
•Canned Fruit
•Oatmeal
•Dried Fruit
•Granola Bars
•Canned Vegetables
•Canned Soup
•Canned Chili
•Easy Mac & Cheese
•Canned Tuna or Chicken
•Ziploc Bags
*We appreciate individual size packages whenever possible. Snack size zip-lock bags are perfect too!
Food Donations:
Bean’s Cafe and The Children’s Lunchbox rely heavily on the donation of food items to serve the thousands of hungry adults and children in Anchorage. We are able to receive a variety of different types of foods, with a few restrictions
What we can accept:
Canned Goods
Food prepared in a commercial kitchen
Fresh Fruits & Vegetables
Pre-packaged food items purchased at store
Whole or unprocessed meats.
For example, moose roast but not moose sausage, unless it is professionally processed. Whole salmon but not smoked or canned, unless done professionally.
What we cannot accept:
Home-made food items
Opened food items (such as a box of cookies that may not have been fully eaten)
Left-over food items (such as remaining food from a conference or barbecue).
Spoiled food items
Items not prepared in a commercial kitchen
See notes above about meat products
If you have any further questions about what we can or cannot accept, please call the Program Manager for the program you wish to donate to. Click here to review our Third Party Fundraiser Guidelines.
Bean’s Cafe: 907-297-5606 or e-mail info@beanscafe.org | The Children’s Lunchbox: 907-297-5622 or e-mail info@beanscafe.org
All food items for Bean’s Cafe can be dropped off at Bean’s Cafe, 1101 E 3rd Ave. Monday- Friday 9am – 3pm
Food donations for The Children’s Lunchbox can be brought to 1020 E. 4th Ave., Thursdays 1- 3 pm.
Community Partner Programs:
Shopping for Good
Fred Meyer has it all, and now when you’re shopping for anything from fresh vegetables to school supplies to clothes, you can be giving back at the same time. Simply by linking your rewards card to Bean’s Cafe/The Children’s Lunchbox, every time you swipe your card, you’re giving back. You still receive your rewards, fuel points, and rebates, with the added benefit of support us! Link your Rewards Card today by clicking the link
Bagoy’s Florist & Home
Bagoy’s makes it easy to buy and deliver flowers for every kind of special occasion, and with their Helping Hands Program, you can make it even more special. For every purchase made online at www.bagoys.com, at checkout simply select Bean’s Cafe/The Children’s Lunchbox and Bagoy’s will donate $5.00 of your purchase to our organization
Amazon Smile
Amazon Smile is a program of the Amazon Foundation, in which 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible items purchased through Amazon.com will be donated to your chosen organization. It’s so easy to get started, just go to www.smile.amazon.com and select Bean’s Cafe from the list of charities. Now every time you shop, just start right from www.smile.amazon.com, and your donation occurs automatically whenever you buy online!
Fundraisers:
We are primarily supported through the generous donations of individuals in our community, and fundraisers are an important part of keeping our doors open. If you would like to throw your own fundraiser, private or public, please contact our Development and Communication Director, Diana Arthur darthur@beanscafe.org