While it’s important to have a service-minded heart throughout the entire year, there is something about the holiday season that encourages us to give back. The weather is colder during the winter, which causes homeless shelters to fill up with hungry and cold visitors. Additionally, this is a season where we often receive gifts from friends and family, so it is an appropriate time to therefore give to our neighbors in need — through charitable giving, volunteering, and tangible clothing, food and home goods donations. Give of your time, money and goods with these local opportunities to serve during the holiday season.
Danberry Realtors’ Kids’ Clothing Drive
Every year, Danberry Realtors hosts a clothing drive collecting kids’ coats, hats and mittens. Starting November 1, these items can be dropped off at any Danberry location. Stay up-to-date about our clothing drive by liking us on Facebook!
Cherry Street Mission
Photo Courtesy of Cherry Street Mission
Cherry Street Mission is a Christian organization serving those in need by cooking them meals and offering them shelter. Choose to volunteer this holiday season and beyond at Cherry Street, at which you may serve in a number of roles, including a chaplain, food box distribution and pantry support, check-in support, van and truck driver, and much more. No task is too small or mundane for contributing to the greater purpose and mission Cherry Street stands behind.
Salvation Army
Photo Courtesy of Salvation Army
It’s no secret that Salvation Army is doing good work in communities all across the country, and their Toledo location is no different. While you’re sifting through your clothing to minimize your inventory, set aside some donation items to be dropped off at one of their family thrift store locations — in Toledo, Northwood and Findlay. These centers rely on clothing and household goods donations from the community, and proceeds from these stores are used to fund social assistance programs in their respective communities. Supporting Salvation Army through your donations is a win-win! Additionally, participate in any of their upcoming volunteer opportunities, including:
13ABC's Hope for the Holidays Drive-Thru Bash
Friday, December 9 from 6:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Help collect, count and pack toys on a box truck, and pass out hot chocolate and pizza.
iHeartRadio Toy-A-Thon at Franklin Park Mall
Saturday, December 3 from 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Help collect, count and pack toys on a box truck, greet shoppers and encourage them to donate a toy, and clean up.
Christmas Setup at UAW Local 12 Hall
Monday, December 19 from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Help set up tables and signage, sort toys, prepare stocking stuffers, and prepare food boxes.
Christmas Distribution at UAW Local 12 Hall
Tuesday, December 20 + Wednesday, December 21 | 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Be a personal shopper, distribute toys and food boxes, direct traffic, and clean up.
Red Kettle Campaign
November 4–December 24 | 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Volunteer to ring a bell at any of the Salvation Army's Red Kettle locations.
Mobile Meals of Toledo
Photos Courtesy of Mobile Meals of Toledo
Every year, Mobile Meals of Toledo provides home-delivered meals to over 1,340 clients who are elderly, ailing or physically disabled. With their nutritional needs met, and with concerned volunteers checking on their health and well-being, many of their clients can postpone or eliminate the need for more extensive and expensive care arrangements. Volunteers for the Mobile Meals program typically deliver food two days each month, but you may look over their volunteer opportunities to see what fits your schedule, or contact Mobile Meals of Toledo at 419-255-7806 or info@mobilemeals.org for more information. We stand behind the mission of Mobile Meals so much that our Briarfield office has participated in their program for years!
Family House
Family House is a non-profit providing homeless families in crisis with professional, comprehensive housing and social services in a safe, caring environment. This is a family-oriented organization that “offers a hand up, not a hand out”. Lend a helping hand by volunteering your time and energy by serving meals, sorting donations, painting walls, or even bringing your unique talents (such as singing or painting) to their residents!
Toledo Animal Shelter
Toledo Animal Shelter is Toledo’s oldest no-kill animal shelter, providing temporary and indefinite shelter and care for homeless and abandoned dogs and cats. The shelter operates with a small staff and a host of loyal volunteers, which you can join this holiday season and beyond!
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio
Photo Courtesy of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio is a children’s charity focused on helping families access medical care for their children, in addition to enriching the lives of healthy children. Their cornerstone program, The Ronald McDonald House, offers families who travel to Toledo for their children’s specialized medical care a warm, safe, clean and friendly environment. There are many ways to be a part of this wonderful organization, through a donation or volunteering!
Sylvania Area Family Services Holiday Baskets
“Adopt” a family this holiday season by contributing to the Sylvania Area Family Services Holiday Baskets. They are in great need of basket donors this season, as they have more families in need than sponsors. Simply call 419-882-8415 and mention you would like to adopt a family for the holidays. You will then receive a profile of families on the waiting list that you can choose from. For Thanksgiving, make up a food basket with all the fixings and include a gift card for perishable items, such as a turkey. For Christmas, make up a food basket of items from the family’s wish list and if possible, a gift card for a local grocery store. This is a tangible and meaningful way to bless a local family this holiday season!
Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank
Photo Courtesy of Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank
The Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank distributes food to approximately 250 agencies throughout Northwest Ohio, who then distribute the food to people in need. Currently in their service area, one in six people are hungry. As the need for food continues to grow, so must their efforts! Get involved with this behind-the-scenes organization this holiday season by helping with the daily operations in their warehouse. This includes sorting, labeling, shelving food, putting together food orders, and more.
The Lions Club of Bedford Township
The Lions Club of Bedford Township in Temperance is an international organization with a local focus. Their 46,000 clubs and 1.4+ million members make Lions Club the largest service club organization in the world. Be added to this impressive number by becoming a member who actively serves in the community to make it a better place. Or you can simply donate all sorts of clothing in good condition, including dresses, pants, shorts, shoes, dress shirts, t-shirts, ties, coats and jackets!
Looking for more opportunities to volunteer?
We’ve only scratched the surface of the multitude of ways you can volunteer in the community this holiday season. Check out Toledo Together to see more opportunities tailored to the areas in which you’d like to serve, such as construction, gardening, medical, prisons, veterans, and more.