This year, more people than ever have needed some form of support and as we approach the holidays, it can be a great time to donate if you are able. Here are some of my favorite ways for helping families in need with food, diapers, and other support.
Helping Families in Need
Wherever you may live, there are always so many ways to support other families with donations of money or goods. While this is by no means a comprehensive list—there are far too many local organizations to list!—these are the places I start. I’m also including some nonprofits that are local that have been recommended by my readers to give you more options.
TIP: If you are able to set up a recurring donation, these organizations need funds all year long. If you are able to only give a small amount, that is also fine! Do what you can.
National Nonprofits for Families
Here are some of the places I like to donate nationally to help families with little kids.
- The National Diaper Bank
- Feeding America
- No Kid Hungry
- Unicef
- Ronald McDonald Houses (find the one nearest to you)
Local Nonprofits to Donate To
It’s great to support people right in your area, and these are the places I turn to:
- Your local food bank
- Local coat drives
- Local food drives
- Local adopt-a-family drives
- Local little free pantries
Recommended Local Nonprofits for Families
Plus, I asked all of you for more recommendations to broaden my own list and here are some of the places that my readers like to donate to as a way to share more options for ways to help.
- Arizona: Child Crisis Center
- California: The Pump Station (Los Angeles)
- California: Home Start (San Diego)
- California: Una Vida (Petaluma)
- California: Homeless Prenatal Program (San Francisco)
- Colorado: Wee Cycle (Denver)
- Georgia: Project Safe (Athens)
- Georgia: Our House (Decatur)
- Iowa: Young Parents Network (Cedar Rapids)
- Iowa: Young Women’s Resource Center (Des Moines)
- Florida: One Heart for Women and Children (Orland0)
- Florida: Lotus House (Miami)
- Florida: Women’s Center (Venice)
- Louisiana: Basic Necessities (Shreveport)
- Maine: Birth Roots (Woodford’s Corner)
- Massachusetts: Diaper Circle
- Massachusetts: Cradles to Crayons (Boston)
- Maryland: Columbia Community Cares (Ellicot City)
- Michigan: Starfish Family Services (Detroit)
- Michigan: Turning Point (Mt Clemens)
- Missouri: First Chance for Children (Columbia)
- Missouri: The Single Mom (Kansas City)
- Missouri: The Lafayette House (Joplin)
- New York: Northern Rivers (Albany)
- New York: Chips Soup Kitchen (Brooklyn)
- New York: Little Essentials (New York City)
- New York: Room to Grow (New York City)
- Pennsylvania: Maternity Care Coalition (Philadelphia)
- Pennsylvania: Jeremiah’s Place in (Pittsburgh)
- Pennsylvania: Water Street Rescue Mission (Lancaster)
- Pennsylvania: The Kindness Project of Lehigh Valley
- Tennessee: Room in the Inn (Chattanooga)
- Tennessee: Legacy Mission Village (Nashville)
- Texas: The Family Place (Dallas)
- Washington: Hand in Hand Kids (Everett)
- Washington: Vanessa Behan (Spokane)
- Washington: Westside Baby (Seattle)
- Washington DC: Lydia’s House
- Washington DC: Martha’s Table
- Wisconsin: The Neighbor’s Place (Wausau)
When Your Family Needs Support
If your family is in need of food, clothing, gifts, or diapers, reach out to these places for help:
- Local food bank
- Local diaper bank
- Local churches or nonprofits hosting coat or clothing drives
- If your kids are in school, the school can likely refer you to local services.
