Organizations that help families in need around the holidays

[JENOS]

I need help looking for an Organization that helps needy families. Last year I found some organizations online and sent e-mails but never received any replies. Basically we are looking at adopting a family and purchasing everything they need for a holiday meal and a present for everyone in their family. I heard about this years ago, and now feel it’s time to do it. What I remember being told is that you drop everything off at a center and they deliver the goods keeping you anonymous. Unfortunately I can’t ask the person who told me about this because they have passed away since.

 

[beansmom]

we would also be interested in this. Any ideas?

 

[momplus3]

My extendedfamily and I adopted a family several years ago. I called Social Services in our town and they connected us with 2 familes that we bought gifts for. The social worker that worked with each family came and picked up the gifts from my home.

Another suggestion is to call a church in your area - most churches have Angel Trees or Adopt a Familt programs around the holiday season.

 

[princessfionasmom]

I just wanted to say that it's a wonderful thing you want to do. We moved to the US when I was 12 and we didn't have a lot. The first few christmas' in this country would not have been much for us (my parents couldn't even afford a tree) had it not been for the generosity of others. Once my parents got on their feet they made sure they returned the favor every christmas and now it's a family tradition to take a tag off the church christmas tree and buy a gift from each member of our family. I hope you find an organization to work with and I know the difference you will make in that family's christmas will be amazing. Good luck!

 

[cari12]

Is there a Salvation Army office near you? They usually help needy families with hampers of food and gifts (which you could provide). Also, does your city have a Christmas Bureau? We adopted a family a couple of years ago through our local Christmas Bureau.

 

[JENOS]

Is there a Salvation Army office near you? They usually help needy families with hampers of food and gifts (which you could provide). Also, does your city have a Christmas Bureau? We adopted a family a couple of years ago through our local Christmas Bureau.

Didn’t even think about the Salvation Army, this is exactly what I was looking for

Thanks everyone for their suggestions

http://www1.usw.salvationarmy.org/u...e641fe1ec26712988025713f00823076?OpenDocument

 

[DawnM]

I think I am cynical.....I was sent info on this one year and the family had requested certain/particular gifts that were more expensive than what I was getting my own kids.

Now, requests for clothing or a small gift/toy/game I would have felt fine with but requests for $100-$200 items per person in the family were beyond what I could do.

Dawn

 

[Sinderelly]

Your local social services office would be a really good source. They can match you with a family according to size, # of children etc. When I worked for social services I was in charge of the "Family Christmas List". My job was to match familes with groups or individuals willing to sponsor a family. The match can be important according to the family's needs and what the giver would like to do. Some family wishes that I received for Christmas were for a tank of propane gas or for the electric bill to get paid, food, clothing and toys for the kids. We also had some elderly individuals and couples needing assistance. Bless you for wanting to help a family.

 

[luvmy3]

I think I am cynical.....I was sent info on this one year and the family had requested certain/particular gifts that were more expensive than what I was getting my own kids.

Now, requests for clothing or a small gift/toy/game I would have felt fine with but requests for $100-$200 items per person in the family were beyond what I could do.

Dawn

I know what you mean. One year through scouts we were donating items for a few families in need. When I got the requests I was shocked, not by the fact that the kids wanted expensive things, but because they included the kids that were up to 21 years old, and one of them requested an X-box

I would also like to suggest contacting a local battered womans shelter to see if they have a mother and kids that need help for the holidays.

 

[kayla87]

Anyone interested could try contacting a local school as well. They are bound to know about families in need, and may be willing to coordinate with you. If this happens, they would likely connect you with a family whose kids do not attend the same school as your children.

I would also like to suggest contacting a local battered womans shelter to see if they have a mother and kids that need help for the holidays.

This is a good idea too.

 

[Kitzka]

You should see if there is a volunteer organization in your local community. in my area of NJ we have a volunteer organization that works with social services to set people up with families.

DD and i started 'adopting' a family about 3 years ago. we adopt a family because even mom and dad need a break...

lara

 

[buzz2400]

I have the opposite problem. My son wants to adopt a young child to make sure santa shows up at his house. My son only makes minimum wage so he can't adopt a family. My sister directed to a domestic violence shelter but they only do families. I told my son to just buy presents and donate to toys for tots but he wants to buy directly for a certain child.

 

[momof1princess]

i agree with the poster who suggested calling a local school. the school counselor always knows which kids and their families need help. last december, my neighbor contacted me and asked if i wanted to help her sunday school class collect items for a 5th grade girl at our local elementary school. the other sunday school classes at her church were collecting items for other members of the girl's family. i put together a large gift bag of toiletries, a fleece blanket, nail polish, etc. as well as a HUGE trash bag of DD13's outgrown clothes. neighbor told me later on that the mom broke down and cried when she picked up the gifts at the school-she was so overwhelmed that strangers cared enough to do so much for her family. can't wait to do it again this year! good luck, OP!

 

[Michelle and crew]

I think I am cynical.....I was sent info on this one year and the family had requested certain/particular gifts that were more expensive than what I was getting my own kids.

Now, requests for clothing or a small gift/toy/game I would have felt fine with but requests for $100-$200 items per person in the family were beyond what I could do.

Dawn

Most agencies screen and talk to the families about this stuff.

We always buy one practical gift and one fun for several of the families in our church who struggle.

edited; i agree, i would feel a bit jaded if i picked a family like that!

 

[sk!mom]

My family and I have done this for several years. After going through various agencies, we found that what worked the best was contacting a school counselor. We always do an Elementary School. It seems that the counselors always know of someone who is maybe not a lifelong recipient of assistance but down on their luck. They also have been able to connect us with families who aren't on several lists and receiving help from several sources.

 

[sk!mom]

I think I am cynical.....I was sent info on this one year and the family had requested certain/particular gifts that were more expensive than what I was getting my own kids.

Now, requests for clothing or a small gift/toy/game I would have felt fine with but requests for $100-$200 items per person in the family were beyond what I could do.

Dawn

This was exactly the situation that we had when we went through social service agencies to locate a family. Every year for about three years (we tried a different agency each year), we would seem to get paired with a family who came very close to demanding things from us. It seemed that these were families who were longtime recipients of help with a deep sense of entitlement.

We felt strongly that we wanted to do this, though so we kept trying. Working with a school counselor has been completely different and a blessing for us!

 

[torinsmom]

I would like to do something for someone who is actually needy as well. I usually pick an angel or two from the Angel tree. I was watching the local news last week and they showed the people lined up to apply for the angel tree. They said no documentation was required except the person's name and address. They don't even ask for proof of income. Some of the people they showed in line were dressed better than I could ever afford to dress. Same thing happened at school last year. The family the school decided to sponsor had a child in my class. He wore only Tommy Hilfiger, Fubu, clothes like that. He had too many name brand shoes to count. What is really sad is that the families who really need help are too proud to accept it.

 

[jerseygirl81]

Our schools have the wish upon a star program for the families who are free & possibly reduced lunches. They have a tree with stars on it with gifts at different prices and our church does the same thing. I have seen more request for gift cards for Walmart and the local supermarkets. Linda

 

[prncess674]

I think I am cynical.....I was sent info on this one year and the family had requested certain/particular gifts that were more expensive than what I was getting my own kids.

Now, requests for clothing or a small gift/toy/game I would have felt fine with but requests for $100-$200 items per person in the family were beyond what I could do.

Dawn

I guess I have a different view of it. You never know the family background and you can only pray that the person is in need. Sure it sounds excessive to want a $100 item, but maybe the parents recently got laid off and they don't have the income to buy something they usually would buy. Last year I specifically picked an older child's name off the Angel Tree who requested an Ipod. Sure everyone wants to pick the 4 yr old who wants a $10 doll but does the 13 yr old whose parents all of sudden came on hard times now not deserve a present? Most 13 yr olds are still "kids" and don't understand that there isn't money to continue buying at the rate as before. So yes, I bought a REAL ipod, not some knockoff brand MP3.

 

[cydswipe]

this is a small town, midwestern here...

My family is adopting a family who lost everything in a flood. It happened in July when a dam breached. My sister knows the mom on an acquatance basis. My parents have seen the parents at local auctions and estate sales trying to buy beds for their 3 girls. Knowing they were directly affected by the flood, my sister approached the mom with the idea of being adopted.

The mom wept right then and there! We are pooling our money (my parents, and 4 siblings families) to buy for the family.

I realize I'm jaded here, but we live in an area that is heavily on government assistance. I'm finished with Toys for Tots and the angel trees. There is a strong reputation of these families double dipping into charity groups.

I would rather give to a family DIRECTLY.....

Good luck with your search. It is a wonderful thing to give when you can. God bless!