Local Adopt-a-Family Programs and Other Ways to Give Locally This Holiday Season
Here are some organizations that run Adopt-a-Family programs or otherwise will welcome your donations to families in need around the Capital District this holiday season.
Albany County Department for Children, Youth and Families matches donors with local families in need. In some cases, donors can deliver their gifts directly to recipients. Monetary donations are also welcome. More information including a form to fill out available at this link.
Capital City Rescue Mission in Albany serves the homeless and needy of the Capital Region. Contact Susan at 518-462-0459 x227 if you'd like to participate in their holiday Adopt-a-Family program.
Catholic Charities partners with other community agencies and providers to offer a wide range of support services to those in need regardless of race, creed, lifestyle or religious belief. They have a program to provide holiday gifts to their clients. Contact Keri Kintner at 518-449-3581 x 100.
Franklin Community Center in Saratoga Springs has an adopt-a-family program; email Abbie@franklincommunitycenter.org or call 587-9826 x 225 to ‘adopt’ a family for the holidays. Each donor will be provided with a wish list from local children, including specific sizes and gift ideas. All donations for our holiday assistance program should be arranged with Lindsay who can be reached through the email and phone number listed above. All gifts must be unwrapped.
Northern Rivers Family Services: Order online via their Amazon wish list or drop off new, unwrapped gifts, gift cards, and food cards by appointment. Click link for updated dates.
Noteworthy Resources offers items to purchase and also accepts monetary and in-kind donations.
Regional Food Bank is always in need of non-perishable food, and families particularly need more food when they aren't in school to receive food lunches. Consider donating money instead of or in addition to food to make the most of your giving.
Street Soldiers offer hot meals, pantry items, and other items to support unhoused and less fortunate friends. Check their Facebook pages for the most updated information about needs and how/where to donate. You can also help serve. There's an Albany page and a Schenectady page.
Sidewalk Warriors of Troy offer food and essential items weekly.
The Giving Tree NY is collecting holiday donations -- see more information on their Facebook page.
Things Of My Very Own: Located in Schenectady, TOMYO provides impoverished children who are victims of abuse and/or neglect with crisis intervention services year-round. They distribute wish tags for fulfillment during the holiday season. Check their website for needed items and drop-off times.
Unity House in Troy: You can "adopt" individual children and shop off their wish lists or collecti toys for their gift "boutique." Visit their Facebook page, where they list events about upcoming opportunities to give or volunteer.
U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program collects new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distributes those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the local community. Click the main link for drop-off locations, or click here to donate online or their Facebook page for local events.
Wellspring offers services including a 24/7 hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, and more in Saratoga County. They have an online wish list.
Do you know an organization that would like to be included on this list? Please contact katie@kidsoutandabout.com.