WBOB Original Reads

12 Days of Giving: 12 RI Charities That Would Love Your Support This Holiday Season

12/5/2016

'Tis the season for joy. 'Tis the season for giving.

The holidays are upon us, and while many of us take time to deck our halls, to jingle our bells, and to find that perfect fir tree - many of us will be going without this year. The magic of the season is truly in the giving, so let's all give a little more this December.

And look, we've even made it easier for you! Below, you will find a carefully curated list of some of the region's most deserved charities - many of whom rely on the generosity of private donars to fund their joyful ventures. While this list is certainly not exhaustive, it does include 12 of the most wonderful charitible organiztions in the Ocean State.

See the 12 RI Charities That Would Love Your Support This Holiday Season below!

Be The Change Sunday Meal

DONATE HERE

Be The Change Sunday Meal, a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization is a group of concerned citizens using social media to provide a Sunday meal for the homeless and impoverished.

With the help of the community, Be the Change serves a Sunday meal, collects and distributes items of need such as toiletries, coats, socks, non perishable food to help people living on the streets, and the impoverished who are just making ends meet in the community and surrounding areas.

Website: www.btcsundaymeal.com
Contact: [email protected]
Address: 10 Brookside Ave, West Warwick, RI

Amos House

DONATE HERE

Amos House provides direct support for people in need by offering resources that help them achieve greater stability and self reliance in their lives.

The soup kitchen is the point of entry for all of Amos House's services and the foundation upon which the organization is built. They truly are a lifeline to hundreds of men and women who turn to Amos House each day; for a meal, a smile, a chance to change their lives. For nearly 40 years, Amos House has offered breakfast and lunch six days a week to men, women, and children who are homeless or struggling to make ends meet.

Website: www.amoshouse.com
Contact: [email protected] | (401) 272-0220
Address: 460 Pine Street, Providence, RI

RI Community Food Bank
2016 Holiday Food & Fund Drive

DONATE HERE

Every month, the Food Bank’s network of food pantries and meal sites serves more than 59,000 people. The need for food assistance in Rhode Island remains high all year long.

In addition to donating food, you can make a gift to the Food Bank. Every dollar donated helps the RI Food Bank acquire three pounds of food.

Website: www.rifoodbank.org
Contact: [email protected] | (401) 942-6325
Address: 200 Niantic Avenue, Providence, RI

Child & Family's Adopt-A-Family Program

DONATE HERE

It's simple: you provide toys and gifts for children. In many cases these will be the only holiday gifts that they receive.

Child & Family will provide you with a ‘wish list” and you shop for the child or children with whom you are matched. Or, they also would appreciate generic gifts, gift certificates, or monetary donations that can be used for these children.

Website: www.childandfamilyri.com
Contact: (401) 848-4210
Address: 1268 Eddy Street, Providence, RI

Children's Wishes of Rhode Island

DONATE HERE

Children’s Wishes grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical illnesses between the ages of 2 1/2 and 18 years of age. Children’s Wishes was formed in 2009 by a dedicated group of wishgranting volunteers who wanted to grant the wishes of children in Rhode Island. Humbled by the Wish Children and the power of the Wish, Children’s Wishes strives to give hope to children facing challenging medical conditions.

Website: www.cwishesri.com
Contact: [email protected]
Address: 2346 Post Road, Suite 102, Warwick, RI

Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund

DONATE HERE

The Good Neighbor Energy Fund is available to any Rhode Islander who, because of temporary financial difficulty, cannot meet a month's energy expense and has not qualified for or received other energy assistance funds. The Fund has provided assistance for 31 years, having been established in 1986, and is administered by United Way of Rhode Island.

The Fund has raised a total of more than $13.3 million which has assisted 44,250 families. Sponsoring gas and electric companies support their respective customers' generosity through various giving programs

Website: www.rigoodneighbor.com
Contact: United Way (401) 444-0600
Address: 50 Valley St, Providence, RI

Books Are Wings

DONATE HERE

The mission of Books Are Wings is to put free books in the hands of children. They believe every child should experience the joy of reading. Books Are Wings envisions every child in Rhode Island with access to quality reading experiences and books. Research suggests that growing up in a home with at least 20 books is associated with 3 additional years of schooling for children. Books Are Wings seeks to provide every child with regular access to books.

Website: www.booksarewings.org
Contact: (401) 475-4882
Address: Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main St #8223, Pawtucket, RI

Operation Stand Down (OSDRI)

DONATE HERE

Operation Stand Down Rhode Island’s mission is to help veterans secure stable housing and employment as well as other assistance according to individual needs including case management, basic human needs, referrals, and education and training services.

Website: www.osdri.org
Contact: (401) 383-4730 | [email protected]
Address: 1010 Hartford Avenue, Johnston, RI

Community MusicWorks

DONATE HERE

Community MusicWorks seeks to create a cohesive urban community through music education and performance that transforms the lives of children, families, and musicians. Their model is centered around the teaching, mentoring, program design, and performance activities of our musicians-in-residence, the Community MusicWorks Players.

Website: www.communitymusicworks.org
Contact: (401) 861-5650 | [email protected]
Address: 1392 Westminster St, Providence, RI

Youth Pride Inc.

DONATE HERE

Youth Pride Inc. (YPI) is an affirming space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning young people to build community, develop connections and be themselves. Youth come together from a wide range of backgrounds and join with one another over common issues and activities, sometimes as simple as playing video games or sharing a meal. All of our programs are free of charge and include individual counseling, weekly discussion groups, leadership trainings, social events and wellness activities. In the end, youth experiences at YPI can be transformative.

Website: www.youthprideri.org
Contact: (401) 421-5626 | [email protected]
Address: 743 Westminster St., Providence, RI

U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots

DONATE HERE

The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.

Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity is the fundraising, funding and support organization for the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. The Foundation was created at the behest of the U. S. Marine Corps and provides support in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding with the Commander, Marine Forces Reserve, who directs the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. The Foundation has supported Toys for Tots since 1991.

Website: www.providence-ri.toysfortots.org
Contact: (401) 265-9432 | [email protected]
Drop-off Locations

Foster Forward

DONATE HERE

Foster Forward (formerly the Rhode Island Foster Parents Association) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children, young adults, and families whose lives have been impacted by foster care.

Through a wide range of innovative programs and services, Foster Forward prepares foster children and teens to live independently and empower them to become successful adults. They assist foster families as they navigate the child welfare system and manage the health and well-being of children in their care. And they implement data-driven practices to improve outcomes for our clients—and for foster children and families nationwide.

Website: www.fosterforward.net
Contact: (401) 438-3900
Address: 55 South Brow St., East Providence, RI