If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share. —W. Clement Stone, author, businessman, philanthropist
No one has ever become poor by giving. —Anne Frank
There are many ways to share with those in need in Montgomery County, a need for every good thought. Below is a list of a few local nonprofit organizations with wish lists to be filled for the holidays.
Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless announced last week that the organization’s “Holiday Gift Drive is LIVE!”
“You can spread holiday cheer this season by donating a gift to someone who is experiencing or has experienced homelessness. Check out our gift wish list and sign up to give a gift to a child, veteran, or adult.”
Visit bit.ly/MCCHHolidaygiving2019 to learn how you can bring holiday cheer to the adults, children or veterans the Coalition serves by purchasing gifts clients have requested.
For more information, contact Lynn Rose at lrose@mcch.net or 301-217-0314 ext. 117 if you have any questions.
Manna Food Center, the main food bank in Montgomery County, strives to eliminate hunger through food distribution, education, and advocacy. Mana provides food to 32,000 individuals each year and helps distribute rescued food to soup kitchens, food pantries and emergency shelters county-wide. Nearly every social service organization in Montgomery County relies on Manna to provide food to their clients.
Food donations may be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at Manna’s Warehouse, 9311 Gaither Road, Gaithersburg, For more information call 301- 424-1130 or visit info@mannafood.org
Interfaith Works staff members work with individuals and families in crisis to help equip them to lift themselves from poverty and homelessness through prevention, stabilization and empowerment programs, according to the group’s website. To help out this holiday season, there is a list of Ongoing Needs from all Interfaith Works programs:
New travel-sized toiletries: shampoo, bar soaps, deodorant, Alcohol free mouthwash and hand sanitizer, also razors and sunscreen. Paper products: paper towels, toilet paper, paper napkins and plates, Supplies: Liquid laundry detergent (high-efficiency/HE), toothpaste and toothbrushes, locks for lockers Home goods: bath towels, washcloths, new pillows, new or gently used twin and queen sheet sets, fleece blankets Children’s NEW underwear, we hope to give 3,000 children new school supplies and new underwear so they start the new year off right (all sizes for students in grades K-12)
Women’s NEW underwear, preferably cotton briefs, all sizes; insulated underwear in all sizes Men’s NEW underwear, fitted crew socks, boxers or briefs, all sizes to 3X; insulated underwear in large sizes Cleaning supplies: Lysol wipes, bleach, all-purpose sprays/solutions, Windex Food: Breakfast foods (cereal, oatmeal packets, breakfast bars, coffee, sugar, creamer, tea), peanut butter, jelly, pasta, pasta sauce (please, no vodka or wine-based sauces), and canned vegetables and fruits Interfaith Works is located at 114 W. Montgomery Ave., Rockville. For more information visit iworksmc.org or call 301-762-8682.
Potomac Community Resources, Inc. promotes the full inclusion into community life of teens and adults with developmental differences by providing over 35 therapeutic, recreational, social, educational, and respite care programs. Donations to PCR make a difference in the lives of individuals with developmental differences and their families. Eighty-six percent of every dollar that is donated goes directly to its programs, according to PCR website. For more information visit http://pcr-inc.org/ or call 301-365-0561
Shepherd’s Table, www.shepherdstable.org, 8210 Dixon Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910, 301-585-6463.
Shepherd's Table is a nonprofit organization in downtown Silver Spring, supported by volunteers, religious organizations, government, businesses, foundations, and individual donors. Shepherd’s Table provides help to people who are homeless or in need by providing basic services, including meals, social services, medical support, clothing, and other assistance.
Fisher House, www.fisherhouse.org, Fisher House Foundation, Inc., 12300 Twinbrook Pkwy, Suite 410, Rockville, MD 20852, 301-294-8560, info@fisherhouse.org
The Fisher House program supports members of the military and their families when they travel great distances for specialized medical care. Fisher House Foundation donates “comfort homes,” including at Walter Reed in Bethesda, built on the grounds of major military and Veterans medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times.
Friends in Action, www.iworksmc.org/friends-in-action, 114 West Montgomery Ave., Rockville, MD 20850, 301-762-8682.
Friends In Action recruits and trains a network of people from all faiths and ethnic backgrounds. Volunteer mentoring teams are linked for one year in a supportive relationship to a needy family in their community. The goal of the program is to help the family identify their strengths and develop attainable and manageable goals that guide them toward financial independence and personal wellbeing.
Spirit Club, 10417-B Metropolitan Ave. Kensington, MD 20895, 03-883-4364, spirit-club.com
Spirit Club Foundation Inc. is a non-profit organization organized to ensure that people with disabilities and other health-related challenges have the opportunity to exercise and learn about fitness and nutrition in an integrated setting.
ArtStream, www.art-stream.org, 8401 Connecticut Ave. Ste 1230, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, 301-565-4567
ArtStream performances feature adult actors with intellectual and developmental disabilities including autism and other social and behavioral needs. Actors, volunteer mentors and theatre professionals work as a team to create original performances for live audiences. Drama and life-skills classes, programs in military hospitals.
MCPAW (Montgomery County Partners for Animal Well-Being) is the non-profit partner of the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) working through MCASAC to keep homeless pets healthy and happy while awaiting adoption.
The group’s goal is to reduce the number of animals that come to MCASAC; Pamper, protect and provide emergency veterinary care for animals inside MCASAC; Educate and engage the community in causes for animal welfare. http://www.mcpaw.org/
C&O Canal Trust. www.canaltrust.org
By giving to the C&O Canal Trust, you will be joining a growing movement of citizens across the country who are taking personal responsibility for the future of “America’s best idea” — our national parks. Give thanks for the C&O Canal you enjoy today and invest in its future. For more information visit canaltrust.org or call 301-714-2233.