Tax prep, museum entry, furniture removal: Here’s some of what’s free around Pierce County
Many people have had a hard time budgeting the past few years as inflation continues to balloon. In response, grocery and gas costs have shot up, leaving consumers understandably frustrated. Sometimes, people just need a break.
Pierce County residents can take advantage of several free services and events to help save a few bucks. From tax assistance to health care to art programs, The News Tribune compiled a list of services across the county you can access free of charge.
Tax preparation in Pierce Co.
Several organizations and centers in the Tacoma area offer appointments for free tax preparation services.
Goodwill hosts appointments every day of the week at different locations around the Tacoma area including Goodwill Tacoma, Tacoma Community House, Tacoma Housing Authority, the Moore Branch of Tacoma Public Library and others. You can book appointments at any one of these sites on Goodwill’s website or call 253-370-0626. The website lists the days and times available appointments are available for each location.
United Way of Pierce County lists other locations that offer free tax assistance. These include:
True Blessings in Spanaway
The Pierce County Library System provides additional resources for tax assistance, such as the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance at Parkland/Spanaway Library at 13718 Pacific Ave. The service is offered Feb. 9 to April 15. You can book an appointment from noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays or 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
Tacoma area museums
Tacoma has an impressive number of varied museums, several of which are located within walking distance from one another downtown. Visitors can spend hours viewing glass art, classic automobiles, maritime history, photography and paintings depicting some of the region’s rich Native American culture. Many have free offerings.
If you’re a member of the Pierce County Library System, you can check out a pass to visit a locally partnered museum to view art and historical exhibits. Library members can check out a pass at one of Pierce County’s libraries.
You can only get one pass at a time that’s valid for one week. The partnered museums are:
Foss Waterway Seaport at 705 Dock St., Tacoma
Harbor History Museum at 4121 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor
Lakewold Gardens at 12317 Gravelly Lake Drive Southwest, Lakewood
Museum of Glass at 1801 Dock St., Tacoma
Tacoma Art Museum at 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
Washington State History Museum at 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
The Tacoma Art Museum also has its doors open to the public for free 5-8 p.m. Thursdays for its Neighborhood Nights. The Tacoma Children’s Museum has a “pay as you will” admission every day, too.
The Tribal Cultural Center in Steilacoom has a museum that is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays at 1515 Lafayette St. in Steilacoom.
The Puyallup Tribe museum, the Puyallup Tribe Historic Preservation. center, displays baskets, carved masks, historic photos, drums and paintings by tribal members. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays at 3700 Pacific Highway East, Suite 311 in Fife.
Free live events in Tacoma
Hit the dance floor or rock out at one of these venues offering free live music:
Stop Light Party with DJ Indica Jones: Listen to 1990’s and 2000’s dance classics at Jazzbones at 2803 6th Ave., Tacoma. You must be 21 years or older to attend. The doors open at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11.
Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Party: Jazzbones is hosting a free Mardi Gras event featuring hip-hop and classic club hits. Attendees must be 21 years or older. Doors open at 10 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21.
Rock and Roll Bingo: If you’re down for a mix of music and games, Airport Tavern hosts a bingo events featuring rotating musical genres every week. The events start at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Tacoma furniture removal
Many people may need to get rid of old furniture but have trouble moving it.
The City of Tacoma has residents covered with its Call-2-Haul program. Up to three large items and/or up to 15 bags of small items can be picked up from a residence twice a year, free of charge. Large items include desks, chairs and couches, but metal auto parts are not accepted.
To schedule an appointment, call 253-573-2468.
Free bike rack installation
The City of Tacoma is continuing to build a bicycling network to provide bike riders with safer, more accessible routes to move from place to place. Some people who ride to work might need a place to lock their bicycle for the day. Luckily, the city has a bike rack program to provide businesses and employers with free racks.
If you have a bike and want to figure out the best route for your next trip, Pierce County’s website has a comprehensive map of bike paths. It includes routes for paved trails, unpaved trails, bike lanes on one or both sides of a street, bike paths with lower traffic volume and shared lanes.
If you’re an employer and want to install a rack outside your workplace, contact Liz Kaster with the Public Works Department at lkaster@cityoftacoma.org.
