Here are some ways that you, as an individual or family, can serve others today:
Donate Items to a Food Bank - Local food banks have year round needs for food items yet, unfortunately, the majority of the donations to those food banks occurs during the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas. You can help those agencies help others by visiting their websites or call them to learn of their most critically needed items, purchase those items and deliver your donations to them. The food banks you could serve are:
Vista del Camino - 7700 E. Roosevelt St., Scottsdale, AZ 85257 Phone: (480) 312-2323
Foothills Food Bank (Cave Creek) - www.foothillsfoodbank.com - 6920 E. Cave Creek Rd., (Next to Binkley's) Cave Creek, AZ 85331 Phone: (480) 488-1145
Extended Hands (Fountain Hills) - www.ehfb.org - 16524 E Laser Dr., Fountain Hills, AZ 85268 Phone: (480) 837-0303
Note: Be sure to check their hours of operations before making the drive to deliver your donations
Donate Time Helping To Set Up Households for Refuge Families - Welcome To America Project (www.wtap.org) offers weekly opportunities in a couple of areas - 1) Two Saturdays each month, WTAP volunteers can serve the refugee families at Rancho Encanto Apartments by working in the new Clothes Closet where WTAP distributes gently used clothing, shoes, purses and children’s books in a peaceful atmosphere of kindness and friendship; 2) Every Saturday morning, deliver furniture and household items to new refugee families. You will need to signup for specific volunteer days and opportunities - go to their website and follow the instructions to make contact with them.
Donate Respite Care Time for Foster Parents - Christian Family Care Agency (www.cfcare.org) seeks volunteers to offer respite care for foster parents. Respite provides needed 'breaks' for the foster families as you care for their foster children. To learn more about this opportunity - contact CFCA's Foster Care Recruiter for more information at (602) 234-1935.
Donate Time to Assemble "Life Books" For Foster Children - one night each month meet at Highlands to assemble "themed page scrapbook kits" for Christian Family Care Agency foster children. Learn more about this Highlands Women's Ministry activity by clicking here.
Adopt-A-Foster Family For The Holidays - Each holiday season, Christian Family Care Agency (www.cfcare.org), has 200-300 children of families in their foster care program in need of a gift for Christmas or an Easter Basket. A wish list from the children will allow you to purchase and wrap a gift for a child. For more information contact Margaret Soberg at CFCA - (602) 234-1935.
Donate Time At A Thrift Store - The Christian Family Care Agency (www.cfcare.org) Family Attic Thrift Stores are staffed entirely by volunteers. As a volunteer, your responsibilities would include sorting merchandise, managing the cash register, interacting with customers and having fun! You can also donate items to the store. Contact CFCA at (602) 234-1935.
Donate Time and Skills Knitting or Crocheting Children Afghans - every Tuesday night meet at Highlands to knit or crochet children's afghans for Phoenix Rescue Mission's new Changing Lives Center. Learn more about this Highlands Women's Ministry activity by clicking here.
Donate Time To Deliver Blankets To Babies - Blankets for Babies (www.blanketsforbabies.net) goal is that each year they will give hope to thousands of less fortunate mothers, fathers, caregivers and their children. This is accomplished by providing them with what so many take for granted, the warmth and security of a blanket. We will take the time to spend time with the mother, father or caregiver to make them feel valued. We hope by receiving this gift, they will in turn want to impact positively their child’s life. They have year round opportunities for you to volunteer with them as they deliver blankets to babies around the Phoenix area.
Donate Time To Help Children - Homeward Bound (www.hbphx.org) is recognized as the largest provider of transitional housing in Arizona for homeless and domestic violence families with children. Their mission is to assist families achieve economic independence, secure long-term, safe, decent, affordable housing and break multi-generational cycles of homelessness and domestic violence. Some of the service opportunities to work with children through this agency include rocking and hugging babies, reading stories in the library, leading scout groups, and tutoring students. Contact Volunteer Services at (602) 374-8758,
Donate Time to Serve Meals - Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Phoenix, (www.stvincentdepaul.net) 5 dining halls around the valley where volunteers duties include set up, serving, bussing tables and clean up. This is another year round service opportunity which receives an abundance of attention during the holidays. For more information about volunteering, call (602) 261-6870 or (602) 261-6863. Phoenix Rescue Mission (www.PhoenixRescueMission.org) also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. For more information please call Marlena Padron, Volunteer Coordinator at 602-346-3339. Both agencies have age restrictions for serving - some ages require adult supervision.
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