No matter your holiday traditions, it always feels good to give back. Whether you have money left over after shopping, clothes or toys that can be donated or just want to help others in need, here are some nonprofits you can support this holiday season.
A local staple, Christmas Is For Children continues to serve families who may be food insecure or can’t afford Christmas presents this year. People can pick angels and drop off gifts at sites throughout the month, and CIFC’s holiday food drive is set for Dec. 18. If you’d like to provide food for the drive, donations can be dropped off at St. John Baptist Church on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. You can either purchase food items that CIFC needs or volunteer for one of its shifts.
To help those who are hungry this season, consider supporting the North Texas Food Bank. The easiest way is by purchasing items off of the nonprofit’s Amazon Wishlist or volunteering for food box distributions at the distribution center. You can also watch “A Christmas Carol” at the Dallas Theater Center, with all donations collected at the end of every show going to the NTFB.
Helping victims of family violence, The Family Place can always use donations of new items like clothing, furniture, toiletries, Visa gift cards and canned food, while gently-used items can be donated to the nonprofit’s resale shop. The Family Place also has an Amazon Wishlist people can shop from. Monetary donations are also accepted, with just $75 ensuring a night of shelter for a woman and child at one of the nonprofit’s emergency shelters.
You may have seen Marines around Southlake and its surrounding cities. That’s because it’s time for Toys For Tots. The annual program is accepting toy donations at sites around the city, and there are several events being held this week where people can drop off donations. Volunteers are also needed and monetary donations are always accepted. Last year, the DFW Toys For Tots campaign distributed 297,154 toys, supporting 150,740 kids.
One of the best ways to spread some cheer this holiday season is to support GRACE Grapevine’s Chrismas Cottage. If you’d like to donate items, this year’s Christmas Cottage really needs bikes for teenagers, books and gift cards. Volunteers are also needed for shifts through Dec. 22. GRACE Grapevine also has a toy list and an Amazon Wishlist for those who wish to support the nonprofit through there. The nonprofit is also accepting monetary donations.