A few lines can create a lifetime of meals
A gift in your will or trust is a powerful way to fight hunger beyond your lifetime. And using a free online tool, you can get started in about 20 minutes.
Everyone needs a will
Whether you’re 25 or 85, a will gives you a say in what happens to the things you’ve worked for. It protects your family, simplifies the process for the people you love and ensures your wishes are honored.
If you don’t have one yet, you’re not alone. Most Americans don’t. But it’s easier to set up than you might think, and it’s one of the best things you can do for the people who matter most to you.
Including Second Harvest in your will means that the work of feeding neighbors continues, even after you’re no longer here to drop off a donation or volunteer. It’s a way of saying this mattered to me, and I want it to keep going.
Why give in your will?
Continue using your assets during your lifetime
Nothing changes for you today. A bequest only takes effect after your lifetime, so your financial picture stays exactly the same.
Potentially reduce your estate tax burden
Charitable bequests may lower the taxable value of your estate, which can benefit your heirs.
Give any amount or percentage — it all makes a difference
Some donors leave a specific dollar amount. Others leave a percentage of their estate, which scales up or down with its value. Either way, every gift helps us plan for the future.
Leave a legacy that feeds neighbors for years to come
Your gift stays local, supporting the hunger solution centers in Spokane and the Tri-Cities, the Mobile Market routes, Bite2Go backpacks, and the network of 250 partner food banks across Eastern Washington and North Idaho.
A note about retirement accounts:
IRAs, 401(k)s, and similar accounts can be included in a will, but they’re often better handled through beneficiary designations for tax reasons. It’s simpler and can save your family an unexpected tax bill.
Create your will — free, secure, and in about 20 minutes
FreeWill to makes it simple to include Second Harvest, take care of your family, and check a big item off your list, all in one sitting, at no cost.
If you’re working with an attorney
Here’s the language you’ll need to include Second Harvest in your will or trust.
Sample bequest language
“I bequeath to Second Harvest Inland Northwest, in the state of Washington, (specific dollar amount) or (specific asset) or (percentage of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate) in support of its mission.”
Tax Information
Legal name: Second Harvest Inland Northwest
Employer Identification Number (EIN): 23-7173826
Address: 1234 E. Front Avenue, Spokane, WA 99202
Second Harvest Inland Northwest is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Kay Porta Legacy Society
In 1971, Kay Porta gathered a small group of volunteers and started what would become Second Harvest. The society that carries her name is a community of neighbors who’ve made Second Harvest part of their legacy through wills, beneficiary designations and estate plans.
Whether you’re just starting to think about it or you’ve already taken the step, you’re part of something that will outlast us.
Common questions
Is my estate big enough to leave a gift in my will?
Yes. Legacy gifts come in all sizes, and every one helps us plan for the future. Many donors leave a percentage of their estate rather than a fixed amount. That way your gift scales naturally, whether your estate is large or modest.
Can I change my will later?
Of course. Your will is always yours to update. If your circumstances change, you can revise your plans at any time. A codicil — a simple addition to an existing will — is often the easiest way to make adjustments.
What if I want to take care of my family first?
That’s exactly what most donors do. Many people name Second Harvest as a contingent beneficiary or leave a small percentage of their estate after their family is taken care of. There’s no minimum and no expectation. Whatever feels right for your situation is the right choice.
What’s the difference between a will and a beneficiary designation?
A will covers how your estate is distributed after probate. Beneficiary designations — on accounts like IRAs, 401(k)s, and life insurance — transfer directly and bypass probate entirely. They’re separate actions, and many donors do both.
Does it cost anything to create a will?
FreeWill lets you create a legally valid will at no cost. If you prefer to work with an attorney, we’ve included sample bequest language above to make the conversation easy.
Questions? We’re here to help.
Talk to our team
Whether you’re thinking about including Second Harvest in your will for the first time or updating plans you made years ago, our team is happy to talk it through with you — no pressure, no obligation.
Second Harvest cannot provide specific legal, financial, or tax advice. Please consult your tax or financial advisor to determine how these giving options may impact your personal situation.