As we come to the close of another challenging year on the economic front for many, local nonprofit groups throughout the area are struggling to make ends meet and address growing needs in the community.
These groups and the people they serve need our help more than ever.
Below is a listing of local helping organizations seeking donations of either money or items, or both. In this season of giving and Thanksgiving, please share your blessings, by giving to those less fortunate.
40 West Assistance and Referral Center Inc.
Wish List:
Anna's House
Wish List:
Assistance Center of Towson Churches — 120 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Towson, MD 21204, provides food and financial assistance to low-income families and the homeless. 410-296-4855, or http://www.actconline.info.
Wish List: Canned food items, meat, vegetables, pasta, peanut butter, jelly, soup, spaghetti sauce, cereal, tomatoes, fruit, tuna, toiletries, toothpaste, bars of soap, deodorant, and grocery store gift cards in $5 and $10 denominations.
Baltimore Child Abuse Center
Wish List:
Baltimore County Department of Social Services Volunteer Office — 6401 York Road, Towson, MD 21212, provides assistance to clients through ongoing programs and projects. 410-853-3021, or dward3@dhr.state.md.us.
Wish List: New toys/gifts, baskets of food (nonperishables), gloves, mittens, scarves, hats and undies (all sizes) and monetary donations. Also inquire about sponsoring a family.
Believe In Tomorrow National Children's Foundation — 6601 Frederick Road, Catonsville, MD 21228, serves families with critically ill children. In addition to being the exclusive provider of hospital housing for the Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Believe In Tomorrow has five destination-driven respite houses at the beach and the mountains families who are battling a child's life-threatening illness can utilize free of charge to create joyful memories together outside of a hospital or clinical environment. 410-744-1032, or http://www.believeintomorrow.org.
Wish List: Blankets, down comforters, duvets, white sheets, towels, pillows; new mattresses: queen, full, or double; cleaning products: specifically paper towels, claro wipes, toilet paper, hand soap; gift cards to grocery stores, bulk shopping stores (Sam's/Costco/BJ's), Target, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowe's; paper products/office supplies; phone calling cards; magazine subscriptions; new movies, video games, games and crafts.
Casey Cares Foundation — 3918 Vero Road, Suite C, Baltimore, MD 21227, provides programs for critically ill children and their families. 443-568-0064, or http://www.caseycaresfoundation.org.
Wish List: $10 or $25 gift certificates for Target, Walmart, Toys R Us, Best Buy, Ledo Pizza, Pizza Hut, Pizzeria Uno, Netflix, Three Brothers Pizza, Taco Bell or Subway. $10 or $25 gift certificates for other national restaurant, big box store and movie theater chains. New, two-piece pajamas (adult and infant sizes are our most needed for the Kami's Jammies program)
Caritas House Assisted Living
Wish List:
CEFM Network,
Wish List:
Center for Pregnancy Concerns — 2418 St. Paul St., Baltimore, MD 21218, is a pregnancy resource center providing free physical, emotional and spiritual help and guidance to women and children. 410-243-6823, or http://www.cpcforhelp.org.
Wish List: Disposable diapers (newborn to size 4), formula: Similac Advance, baby clothes (newborn to 4 T), sleepers, onesies, sleep sacks, bassinets, Pack n' Plays and strollers.
The Children's Home
Wish List:
Christopher Place Employment Academy — 725 Fallsway, Baltimore, MD 21202, provides education and employment training, as well as emotional, spiritual, and addiction recovery support to formerly homeless men. 443-986-9031, or http://www.cc-md.org.
Wish List: Single size sheets, blankets, pillows, pillow cases and men's shirts 3X-6X; full-size deodorant, bar soap, shampoo, body lotion, razors, tooth paste; good reading books; gently used or new dress and casual clothing; new undershirts, briefs, pajamas; new bath towels and wash cloths and men's shoes: new, very gently used dress, casual and athletic.
Coats for Kids — administered through the Baltimore County Department of Social Services, Drumcastle Center, 6401 York Road, Suite 1029, Baltimore, MD 21212, provies coats for children in need to help keep them warm during the winter months. 410-853-3024.
Wish List: Monetary donations (suggested $20 or more).
Defenders of Animal Rights — 14412 Old York Road, Phoenix, MD 21131, is dedicated to eliminating cruelty to all animals by providing services which include rescues, the sheltering of unwanted animals and abuse victims, adoptions through an innovative pet center, spaying/neutering, humane education, youth work, grief counseling, and human health enhancements via pets. 410-527-1466, or http://www.adopt-a-pet.org.
