|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
With the holiday season comes ample opportunity to support neighbors across Greater New Bedford and the South Coast. Local nonprofits are accepting donations and calling in volunteers to help provide food, clothing, gifts, and essential services for people and families in need.
Below is a guide to trusted organizations offering meaningful ways to give back this season.
Gifts to Give
Through Gifts to Give, neighbors can donate items, make a financial gift, or support a coordinated donation drive.
The nonprofit accepts new and gently used children’s clothing, shoes, toys, books, baby gear, school supplies, and hygiene items. Donations may be dropped off at its Acushnet location during posted hours.
Financial donations are also accepted online or by check. As a volunteer run organization with no paid staff, Gifts to Give uses monetary gifts for programs and operations. Gifts to Give also welcomes volunteers and community groups interested in hosting donation drives to collect items for local children and families in need.
Salvation Army New Bedford Corps
The Salvation Army in New Bedford accepts donations of gently used clothing, toys, household goods, furniture, and vehicles through local drop-offs or scheduled pickups.
Financial contributions may be made online as one-time or recurring gifts. Support helps fund food assistance and warm meals.
United Way of Greater New Bedford
United Way of Greater New Bedford gives neighbors several easy ways to help through its holiday campaign.
The charity accepts cash donations online or by check. Gifts can support programs like Holiday Wishes, which helps families facing unexpected hardship such as job loss, medical emergencies, or housing crises.
Item donations are also welcome. Through initiatives like the Hunger Heroes Food Drive and its annual toy drive, United Way distributes meals, gifts, and essentials to people in need.
Volunteering or hosting a food or toy drive is another way to give. United Way connects volunteers and groups to help package meals or gather donations for distribution in the community.
My Brother’s Keeper
My Brother’s Keeper offers generous ways to help families in Southeastern Massachusetts.
The Christian-based organization accepts gently used residential furniture in good condition. Donations are by pickup only, with no drop-offs. Accepted items include beds, dressers, living room and kitchen sets, appliances such as refrigerators, and bedding, dishes, and linens.
Financial support also makes a difference. The organization relies entirely on private donations and volunteers to fund furniture, food, and holiday assistance.
Requests and coordination for donations go through its Easton/Dartmouth Christmas line at 508-238-2562.
Catholic Charities Diocese of Fall River
As part of its “Season of Giving and Hope” initiative, Catholic Charities is collecting items for Christmas “Blessing Bags” for people facing housing insecurity. Donations will be distributed Dec. 19. Items include personal hygiene products, warm outerwear, undergarments, slippers, snacks, food and beverage containers, and gift cards. Public transportation passes are also welcome.
On the South Coast, support is coordinated through Catholic Charities locations, including the Solanus Casey Food Pantry in New Bedford, which serves local families year-round and increases outreach during the holiday season.
To donate or volunteer, contact the New Bedford office at 508-997-7337 or ccfrdioc.org. For more information on the Blessing Bags, call at 508-674-4681 Ext. 1111.
Neediest Families Fund
Founded in 1921 by The Standard Times, the Neediest Families Fund now operates through the SouthCoast Community Foundation. The fund supports local families facing hardship, focusing on basic needs such as housing, food, and clothing during the winter holidays.
Each year, resources are directed to nonprofits serving New Bedford’s most vulnerable residents. Community support through donations of all sizes makes it possible for families to find stability and a sense of holiday comfort.
For other ways to donate or volunteer to help people in need, visit The Light’s Civic Calendar at newbedfordlight.org/civic-life/.