*Donations
– Don’t just throw away your things or give them to a random resale shop. Bring it to the people that need it. See what the needs are and meet them.
We
have so many things that sit in our closet and go unused. I am quick to share if I know a need, but the
problem is that I often don’t know people’s needs. I have been praying for God to open
opportunities for me to help. I could
donate the extra things to a thrift store in hopes that someone would be helped,
but I wanted to be a little more specific.
Here are a few places to think of when you want to share with
others. Many are specific to Houston,
but for other readers, the list may help them think of similar areas they could
help in their towns. You could always
call your church and see what organizations they support.
Star of Hope
Star of Hope is an
organization that helps families experiencing homelessness. There are homeless shelters that help
everyone and others that are specific to
men, women, or families. I chose one
that deals mainly with families since I have stuff to share that my small
children used. Star of Hope offers childcare for adults while they take
parenting classes and get help with jobs.
Here
is a link to see the services they provide. http://www.sohmission.org/NetCommunity/programs-and-services.
They
have a list of urgent and ongoing needs. http://www.sohmission.org/NetCommunity/needs.
These needs include coats, jackets, and blankets. I know I have extra jackets hanging in my
closet that I never wear and blankets that I can’t figure out where to
store. I am suddenly aware that there
are people cold tonight trying to keep their babies warm and sharing with them
is a much better use of my coats than hanging in my closet to be worn twice a
year by me. They also mention “women's Clothing - Size 22 & up.
Appropriate for job interviews.” I no longer work outside the home and have
lots of nice clothes appropriate for a job interview that I never wear. Could those unworn clothes in my closet help
someone get a job and move toward a better life. I believe that is a better calling than “what
if someday I want to wear them again.” I emailed them checking to see if
all sizes would be helpful, but have not heard back yet.
They
have a list of things they will accept. http://www.sohmission.org/NetCommunity/accepted-donation-list.
Use this list to be sure they will accept the items you want to donate before you
pack them up.
Anything
not on the list that you may still want to donate could be donated to a
ministry that has a resale shop like KCM or CAM.(see below)
Star
of Hope has other volunteer opportunities if you desire. However, that would be another post. Feel free to browse their page at http://www.sohmission.org/NetCommunity/needs.
KCM – Katy Christian
ministries
Their
webpage says
“We are a Social Service non-profit serving the Katy/West Houston,
Fulshear & Simonton Areas. We have Social Service Departments that offer
emergency financial assistance, Food Pantries, a Crisis Center that houses the
Domestic Abuse Center and the Sexual Assault Center, 2 resale stores and 3
Donation Centers”.
When
you donate your items to them, you can know they are going to be used to help
others. According to their webpage “$0.87 of every
dollar goes to provide physical, spiritual and
emotional support to our neighbors in the Katy/West Houston area.”
They have 3 drop off stations.
Two are located in Katy and one
in Fulshear. You can also schedule to have some items picked up at your home. Check
here for drop-off/pick up information. http://ktcm.org/donate/wherewhat-can-i-donate/.
Their webpage says,
“Our
Donation Centers CAN accept furniture,
appliances, electronics, housewares, clothing, mattresses and sleeper
sofas in good, working condition with no stains, tears or soiling. We
CANNOT accept items that are damaged, dirty, have
excessive pet hair, are incomplete, worn-out or not working. We also cannot
accept CRT computer monitors or console TVs/Stereos.”
KCM
also has a food pantry to which you can donate.
Sometimes when I am shopping, I pick up a few extra things and drop them
off. Also if you shop at HEB they have
lots of buy-this,-get-this-free deals.
Often I only want of need part of the deal, so we bring these extra
items to the food pantry as well. Please
don’t hear that we give away the bad food that we don’t like. We give away good quality food that people
like to eat. Remember we are blessing
people, not giving them unwanted items.
Here is a list of items they need in their food pantry. http://ktcm.org/assistance-programs/food-pantry/
KCM
also has volunteer opportunities, but again that’s another post. Feel free to browse on your own here http://ktcm.org/
CAM –
Cypress Assistance Ministries
Another
place that helps is CAM - Cypress Assistance Ministries. I know that in our church, we supported KCM
and BCAM and refer people to these two organizations. Depending on your zip code, you were referred
to either BCAM or KCM. BCAM is not longer, so I think CAM is the new
referral. I know less about CAM, but their webpage says,
“Cypress
Assistance Ministries is a faith based
organization that serves individuals and families in financial crisis, those on
the brink of homelessness, the elderly, the unemployed and anyone that needs
hope for a better future. Our goal is to restore our neighbors, regardless of
religious or ethnic background, to self sufficiency.”
They have a food pantry, a resale shop, job help, and
adult education. You can donate cell
phones here. That’s something I have
that I’ve wanted to find a good place.
This is the donation information found on their webpage.
“A huge part of our
ability to provide family assistance is through donations from the community.
Donating your gently used household items including kitchen items, furniture,
toys, books, small electrical appliances, and gently used clothing is a
terrific way to support CAM! All items need to be clean and in working,
sellable condition. Unfortunately, we do not have enough manpower for repairs.
Charitable donation receipts will be given for all donations.
*Recycle
your used cell phones here! We make money for the ministry by recycling them!”
Times
and locations of donations can be found at http://cypressassistanceministries.com/furniture-and-household-donations
Other
places that could use your items would include
Women’s shelters
Refugee shelters
Pregnancy Centers
Local churches that have food pantries of
assistance programs
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