Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season and Year-Round
The holiday season tends to bring out our generosity, which is wonderful because many local and national organizations need help this time of year and all year-long. If you're looking to give back this holiday season, or want to help local charities throughout the year, here are some great organizations to choose from:
CASA of New Hampshire
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of New Hampshire is a nonprofit that works to help abused and neglected children living in New Hampshire. CASA was founded in 1989 and has since helped over 10,000 New Hampshire children.
Learn more/donate:https://www.casanh.org/
Families First
If you're looking to make a big difference in the lives of your Seacoast community members, the best way to help Families First is with a gift card. They also accept small items on their Wish List, but storage is limited right now, so be sure to consider when donating. Here's what they need right now:
Gift Cards:
- Gift cards for Lyft and Uber – (to help patients get to appointments)
- $10 gas cards, to get to medical appointments
- $25 grocery cards, for food and formula
- $20 Wal-Mart cards
- $25 Amazon cards, for necessities for people with limited transportation
- $10 pharmacy cards, for medications or prenatal vitamins
- Phone cards to schedule appointments with medical specialists
- Gift cards for haircuts, movies, restaurants, or other family experiences
For People Experiencing Homelessness:
- Phones that can have prepaid phone cards added
- Socks (warm for the winter)
- Hand warmers
- Bike lights
- Backpacks
- Underwear (new, in package, all men's/women's sizes)
- Automatic blood pressure cuffs
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Camping supplies – tents or backpacks (new or gently used), can openers (new)
- Toiletries: toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, body lotion, deodorant, alcohol-free mouthwash, feminine items, etc.
- Big Books/ Recovery-related books
- Bike pumps (for pumping up air mattresses)
- Body wipes
- Weatherproof gloves, mittens, and hats
Covid-19 Supplies:
- Medical-grade masks with shields
- Medical-grade shields
- Medical-grade N95 masks
- Medical grade germicidal wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Household wipes
Learn more/donate:https://www.familiesfirstseacoast.org/how-to-help/wishlist/
Greater Seacoast Salvation Army
Giving to the Greater Seacoast Salvation Army helps those in need throughout Northern New England. Some of the ways you can help include giving your time, talent, or resources by donating funds, becoming a fundraiser, donating goods, shopping their stores, volunteering, or serving on an advisory board.
Learn more/donate:https://nne.salvationarmy.org/seacoast-nh/
Seacoast Mental Health Center
Seacoast Mental Health Center provides comprehensive mental health services to children, adolescents, adults, and their families. The organization works hard to 'provide hope and promote recovery to thousands of children, adults, and their families each year, but they can't do it alone. The charitable support from individuals, businesses, and private foundations throughout the area enable them to do the most good. All gifts made to Seacoast Mental Health Center are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by the law.
Mail a Check:
Seacoast Mental Health Center
c/o Development Office
1145 Sagamore Ave.
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Learn more/donate:https://smhc-nh.org/make-a-gift/
Share Fund
The Share Fund is located in Rochester and serves the Rochester, Farmington, and Somersworth areas. All donations made to the Share Fund are tax-deductible.
Food:
In addition to monetary donations, Gerry's Emergency Food Pantry is always accepting grocery store gift cards and nonperishable food and personal hygiene products. Their greatest food needs include:
- 100% juice
- peanut butter
- canned meat (tuna, ham, chicken, etc.)
- packaged or canned soup
- canned pasta
- cereal & oatmeal
- spaghetti sauce
- Size 4/5/6 diapers & pullups
- deodorant
- shampoo
- bar or liquid soap
- Toothpaste
Donations can be dropped off at the Pantry (located within the Rochester Community Center, 150 Wakefield St. in Rochester) on Mondays or Wednesdays between 9 am - 3 pm.
Want to send in your donation? Here is where to mail monetary donations and grocery store gift cards:
SHARE Fund
150 Wakefield St. STE 5
Rochester, NH 03867
Clothing/Household Items:
The organization also runs a thrift store, which accepts gently used clothing and household goods donations. They accept the following:
- clothing, shoes, & accessories for adults and children
- complete working games, puzzles, & toys
- books, DVDs, & CD's
- kitchenware & linens
- baby equipment & accessories
- small working appliances
- Jewelry
The Thrift Store is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 am - 3 pm, and the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month from 9 am-noon.
Donate Online: https://www.sharefund.org/donate-form
Learn more: https://www.sharefund.org/
Southeast New Hampshire Habitat for Humanity
Southeast New Hampshire Habitat for Humanity works with local families from Strafford and Rockingham Counties to build simple, well-built, and affordable homes. The goal is to assist these families in breaking the cycle of poverty and creating long-term financial security.
Learn more/donate/volunteer:https://www.senhhabitat.org/donate-to-southeast-nh.../
Additional Organizations Looking for Help
Looking for more ways to help this holiday season? Seacoast Online recently published this article, which includes a long list of organizations to support throughout your local community. Check it out and start giving back today!