| The holiday season is traditionally known as “the giving time” and no where is this more prevalent than in charitable donations and the nonprofit organizations/entities affiliated with them. Let us look more closely at a sampling of the various local avenues you can get involved with.
The United Way is known as the “umbrella” for about 30 nonprofit organizations. Involved in health and human services, they receive monetary donations either through payroll deductions or directly from donors. In turn, this pool of monetary resources is divided up between involved charities and then distributed. If you are interested in making a contribution, contact Executive Director Barbara Stephenson at (360) 377-8505. Or visit their website for more information at www.unitedwaykitsap.com .
If a vehicle donation is more to your liking, contact the NW Center for Retarded. Due to liability reasons, they will come pick up your vehicle. They then sell it to either auto dealers or recyclers. The resulting cash is then put to use to purchase needed goods and services for the Center. Vehicles must be a “complete” vehicle — meaning there are no broken windows, flat tires, missing parts, etc. In other words, even though it may not be in running condition - it still must have an engine. Call (800) 929-3507 to arrange a pickup in Kitsap.
We are all familiar with the bellringers collecting donations for the Salvation Army, but how about the Angel Tree as found in various stores throughout our county? Trees are decorated with cards with names, ages, sex of children on them. Interested donors come in and pick up a card and purchase a gift. Unwrapped purchased gifts are then put under the tree with the card attached to them. At this time, Salvation Army will come pick up gift, wrap it, and deliver it to the intended party. This makes for a happy smile and warm spirit! And..it couldn’t be easier.
The Salvation Army also has an ‘adopt a family’ program whereby businesses can come in and adopt a family for the holidays. Gifts are purchased and delivered, easing the hardship these families face. Contact Donna Fraser at (360) 373-5550 for more information.
In addition to the above, the Salvation Army operates a soup bank which serves three meals a day and is need of both monetary and food donations. Both non-perishables (macaroni and cheese, canned goods, etc.) and perishables (fresh produce, bread, etc.) are needed and welcome. You’ve probably seen the canisters around town for non-perishable items collections.
Of particular interest here, it must be pointed out that since the closing of its Bremerton store on Sept. 29, the Salvation Army is not currently soliciting clothing or any household items due to space limitations.
For the handcrafting donor, the Knitting Tree, sponsored by the Soroptimist Cub, provides a wonderful way to get involved. Located within Kitsap Bank on Bay Street in Port Orchard, the tree is beautifully decorated with items such as knitted hats, mittens, scarves. Knitted blankets are placed underneath the tree and provide an aura of comfort. Even though being homemade is not a requirement, the majority of items are crafted by local talented individuals. The recipients of these wonderful gifts range from premature to senior ages and are all located within eight various worthy causes. These causes range from the Navy Hospital to Harrison Hospital, with others in-between. Contact Debbie Austin at (360) 871-0100 for more information.
(The Soroptimist’s also conduct food drives and co-sponsors an event in conjunction with the Port Orchard Rotary Club known as “Port Orchard Cares”. All donations will benefit “Families In Need” from HELPLINE for the holidays. Contact Debbie Austin at 360-871-0100.)
Another craft oriented event is known as the LINUS project and is sponsored by Pacific Fabric in Bremerton. There is a donation drive year round for fabrics which are made into quilts for needy children aged newborn to 18. Volunteers can donate their time twice a year at their quilt bee to help the less fortunate. Contact Donna Henderson at (360) 479-4214.
If the issue of domestic violence is of concern to you, donate goods to a battered women’s shelter. Two operate within our County, one by St. Vincent DePaul and one by Alive. Both are requesting travel size toiletries, playing cards, phone cards, coffee mugs, coloring books and crayons, small toys, animal crackers, Kleenex, amongst other items. Non-perishable food items needed include instant oatmeal, tuna fish, and breakfast food. Surprisingly, there is a need for clean and lidded baby food jars — to package personal care items. Shelter wish items include: twin and double size linens, pillows, lamps, wall clocks, bunk beds, utensils — and many more. St. Vincent can be reached at (360) 479-7017. Alive can be reached at 360-479-1980.
St. Vincent DePaul is also active in feeding the needy. There is a need for peanut butter, hot cereals, grocery bags (plastic), baby food jars, toothpaste, canned foods, mac and cheese, and the items listed above. Food can be dropped off at 1137 Callow in Bremerton.
Various food banks are located throughout Kitsap County. They include: South Kitsap Helpline — (360) 876-4089; Kingston has the ShareNet — (360) 297-2266, and S’Kallum Tribal Center’s Foodbank — (360) 297-2646; in North Kitsap, Poulsbo FishLine — (360) 779-5190; On Bainbridge Island, the Helpline House — (206) 842-7621; in Silverdale, the Central Kitsap Foodbank — (360) 692-9818; and in Bremerton the Foodline — (360) 479-6188, Salvation Army — (360) 373-5550, and St. Vincent DePaul — (360) 479-7017.
It is important to note that according to Marilyn Gremse at the Kitsap County Foodbank Coalition, “There is a 25 percent increase in the need for food donations over last year at this time.” Obviously, this is a dramatic increase and anything our community can do to help out will make all involved better off — spiritually and physically.
(Editor’s Note: Marie E. Buckner is a freelance writer. Contact her at 360-613-1085.). |
