Shoreline Rotary recognizes a neighborhood grocery store with a heart for community
By Judy MacCully
A neighborhood grocery store can be much more than a place to purchase food. It can also be a familiar gathering place, a partner for local schools and nonprofits, and a convenient place for neighbors to help neighbors.
During October, Rotary’s Community Economic Development Month, Shoreline Rotary is recognizing local businesses that strengthen our community through charitable giving, sponsorships, employment and community involvement.
Ballinger Thriftway stands out as a business that consistently turns its neighborhood connections into meaningful support for local families.
Supporting Shoreline Rotary’s Food4Kids Program
Ballinger Thriftway recently donated food for Shoreline Rotary’s Food4Kids weekend food-packing program.
Food4Kids provides bags of nutritious, easy-to-prepare food for students who might otherwise have limited access to meals over the weekend. Volunteers from Shoreline Rotary, Shoreline Community Church and the wider community pack the bags for distribution to participating students.
The store’s contribution helped Shoreline Community Church stretch its resources and direct more support toward children and families.
This kind of business-nonprofit partnership is a practical example of community economic development. A local business identifies a need, shares available resources and works with community organizations capable of putting those resources directly into action.
More Than 1,000 Pounds for Local Food Banks
In November 2025, Ballinger Thriftway delivered more than 1,000 pounds of donated food to Hopelink in Shoreline and Concern for Neighbors Food Bank in Mountlake Terrace.
Customers could donate food at the front of the store, purchase prepared donation bags at the checkout stand or make a cash contribution. By offering several simple ways to participate, the store made helping local families part of an ordinary grocery-shopping trip.
The effort continued throughout the holiday season. Through its Bag Local Hunger campaign, the Thriftway community provided more than $9,200 in food and financial donations for the two food banks.
The store has also reported collecting seven pallets of food through its “Do What You CAN” campaign and donating 50 turkeys to a school food drive serving local families.
Each effort demonstrates what can happen when a neighborhood business gives customers an easy and trusted way to respond to community needs.
Helping Families Through Vision House
Ballinger Thriftway’s commitment also extends beyond food-bank support.
During the 2024 holiday season, its Christmas Giving Tree raised more than $2,000 for Vision House, a nonprofit that helps families experiencing homelessness move toward greater stability.
The Giving Tree invited shoppers to participate in a shared act of generosity. Individual contributions combined to create meaningful support for families working to rebuild their lives.
Opening Its Doors to Student Service
Ballinger Thriftway also helps young people participate in community service.
The store has allowed Shorecrest and Shorewood students to collect food outside its doors as part of their annual food drive. A 2024 student campaign collected approximately 3,000 pounds of food for North Helpline—reported at the time as the organization’s largest single food donation.
By welcoming student volunteers, the store did more than provide a collection location. It helped young people experience how planning, teamwork and community participation can make a measurable difference.
The business also opens its doors to Scout activities, sports-team fundraisers and other local efforts.
A Neighborhood Store Helping Shoreline Thrive
Community economic development is often associated with jobs, investment and business growth. It is also about building the local relationships and support systems that allow families and neighborhoods to thrive.
Ballinger Thriftway demonstrates how a locally owned business can use its space, customer relationships and community presence to address real needs.
The store donates food, hosts collections, supports schools and nonprofits, and invites its customers to become part of the effort. Its impact is multiplied because it creates a bridge between people who want to help and organizations serving families who need that help.
During Community Economic Development Month, Shoreline Rotary is pleased to recognize Ballinger Thriftway as a Shoreline Community Builder.
Thank you for being a neighborhood grocery store that helps feed and support local families—and for showing how much a community can accomplish when neighbors and local businesses work together.
During October, Rotary’s Community Economic Development Month, Shoreline Rotary is recognizing local businesses that strengthen our community through charitable giving, sponsorships, employment and community involvement.
Ballinger Thriftway stands out as a business that consistently turns its neighborhood connections into meaningful support for local families.
Deep Roots in Shoreline
Ballinger Thriftway opened in 1996 and has served the community for nearly three decades. The independent, family-owned grocery store is operated by Dave and Morgan, with Morgan’s husband, Luke, also joining the team.
The owners’ connections to Shoreline extend well beyond the store. Dave raised his family close by, and his children attended local schools. That history has helped create a business culture centered on relationships with customers, employees, schools and neighborhood organizations.
As Morgan explained in a recent business profile, Ballinger Thriftway values Shoreline’s friendly, family-oriented character and the people who care about the neighborhood.
That commitment can be seen in the many ways the store helps address hunger and family needs.
Ballinger Thriftway opened in 1996 and has served the community for nearly three decades. The independent, family-owned grocery store is operated by Dave and Morgan, with Morgan’s husband, Luke, also joining the team.
The owners’ connections to Shoreline extend well beyond the store. Dave raised his family close by, and his children attended local schools. That history has helped create a business culture centered on relationships with customers, employees, schools and neighborhood organizations.
As Morgan explained in a recent business profile, Ballinger Thriftway values Shoreline’s friendly, family-oriented character and the people who care about the neighborhood.
That commitment can be seen in the many ways the store helps address hunger and family needs.
Supporting Shoreline Rotary’s Food4Kids Program
Ballinger Thriftway recently donated food for Shoreline Rotary’s Food4Kids weekend food-packing program.
Food4Kids provides bags of nutritious, easy-to-prepare food for students who might otherwise have limited access to meals over the weekend. Volunteers from Shoreline Rotary, Shoreline Community Church and the wider community pack the bags for distribution to participating students.
The store’s contribution helped Shoreline Community Church stretch its resources and direct more support toward children and families.
This kind of business-nonprofit partnership is a practical example of community economic development. A local business identifies a need, shares available resources and works with community organizations capable of putting those resources directly into action.
More Than 1,000 Pounds for Local Food Banks
In November 2025, Ballinger Thriftway delivered more than 1,000 pounds of donated food to Hopelink in Shoreline and Concern for Neighbors Food Bank in Mountlake Terrace.
Customers could donate food at the front of the store, purchase prepared donation bags at the checkout stand or make a cash contribution. By offering several simple ways to participate, the store made helping local families part of an ordinary grocery-shopping trip.
The effort continued throughout the holiday season. Through its Bag Local Hunger campaign, the Thriftway community provided more than $9,200 in food and financial donations for the two food banks.
The store has also reported collecting seven pallets of food through its “Do What You CAN” campaign and donating 50 turkeys to a school food drive serving local families.
Each effort demonstrates what can happen when a neighborhood business gives customers an easy and trusted way to respond to community needs.
Helping Families Through Vision House
Ballinger Thriftway’s commitment also extends beyond food-bank support.
During the 2024 holiday season, its Christmas Giving Tree raised more than $2,000 for Vision House, a nonprofit that helps families experiencing homelessness move toward greater stability.
The Giving Tree invited shoppers to participate in a shared act of generosity. Individual contributions combined to create meaningful support for families working to rebuild their lives.
Opening Its Doors to Student Service
Ballinger Thriftway also helps young people participate in community service.
The store has allowed Shorecrest and Shorewood students to collect food outside its doors as part of their annual food drive. A 2024 student campaign collected approximately 3,000 pounds of food for North Helpline—reported at the time as the organization’s largest single food donation.
By welcoming student volunteers, the store did more than provide a collection location. It helped young people experience how planning, teamwork and community participation can make a measurable difference.
The business also opens its doors to Scout activities, sports-team fundraisers and other local efforts.
A Neighborhood Store Helping Shoreline Thrive
Community economic development is often associated with jobs, investment and business growth. It is also about building the local relationships and support systems that allow families and neighborhoods to thrive.
Ballinger Thriftway demonstrates how a locally owned business can use its space, customer relationships and community presence to address real needs.
The store donates food, hosts collections, supports schools and nonprofits, and invites its customers to become part of the effort. Its impact is multiplied because it creates a bridge between people who want to help and organizations serving families who need that help.
During Community Economic Development Month, Shoreline Rotary is pleased to recognize Ballinger Thriftway as a Shoreline Community Builder.
Thank you for being a neighborhood grocery store that helps feed and support local families—and for showing how much a community can accomplish when neighbors and local businesses work together.
Ballinger Thriftway is located at 20150 Ballinger Way NE, Shoreline, WA 98155 in Ballinger Village.
What locally owned Shoreline business have you seen making a difference?
Shoreline Rotary welcomes suggestions for businesses that donate, volunteer, sponsor community activities, support nonprofit organizations or create opportunities for local residents. Email us at contact@shorelinerotary.com
Learn more about Shoreline Rotary and its community partnerships at ShorelineRotary.com.
What locally owned Shoreline business have you seen making a difference?
Shoreline Rotary welcomes suggestions for businesses that donate, volunteer, sponsor community activities, support nonprofit organizations or create opportunities for local residents. Email us at contact@shorelinerotary.com
Learn more about Shoreline Rotary and its community partnerships at ShorelineRotary.com.
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