You're probably wondering why I'm writing this in late September. Really, am I getting like Costco, that has Christmas stuff up already? No, I just know what I know--that the Christmas clearing houses (or Christmas coordinating councils) start to gear up in October. These are the local organizations that coordinate charity work for the poor during the Christmas season. They take applications, vet people for eligibility, and try to get them in touch with other organizations that collect food, clothing, and toys so that the poor have a decent Christmas.
That means that if you think you will need their help, you should probably try around the middle of October, through the middle of November. But how do you know where to go? Veteran poor people know how to navigate the system, but the Great Recession has created people that don't know the ropes, and try climbing the ropes too late to get much help. This goes for holiday help, heating help, or just about anything. If you think you need the help of one of these organizations this year, here's how to start--hopefully, not too close to the holidays:
In the Toledo area, call 211 for holiday food and gifts, and the United Way will send you to the appropriate agency. The regional Toys for Tots number for northwest Ohio is 419 666-6992. They note at the Toys for Tots website that you may be eligible to receive food at one organization, and toys at another, but not the same type of charity aid from more than one organization.
First, the biggest organization of this sort in the U.S. is the Salvation Army. Their local branches often function as the CCH's in their communities. You can go to their website and enter your zip code in the search box to find the nearest one. They may have a formal intake procedure and invite you to come and fill out some forms. Another way to search for a local organization is to put "christmas clearing house" or "christmas coordinating council" and the name of your town in Google. Another is to call 211, IF you live in an area where you can find social services by dialing 211. Find out by searching at this website. Another organization that gives toys to children is Toys for Tots. Their page has a website to help you find your local branch. Another way to find help is a nearby church, which is probably working with a local Christmas clearing house.
That means that if you think you will need their help, you should probably try around the middle of October, through the middle of November. But how do you know where to go? Veteran poor people know how to navigate the system, but the Great Recession has created people that don't know the ropes, and try climbing the ropes too late to get much help. This goes for holiday help, heating help, or just about anything. If you think you need the help of one of these organizations this year, here's how to start--hopefully, not too close to the holidays:
In the Toledo area, call 211 for holiday food and gifts, and the United Way will send you to the appropriate agency. The regional Toys for Tots number for northwest Ohio is 419 666-6992. They note at the Toys for Tots website that you may be eligible to receive food at one organization, and toys at another, but not the same type of charity aid from more than one organization.
First, the biggest organization of this sort in the U.S. is the Salvation Army. Their local branches often function as the CCH's in their communities. You can go to their website and enter your zip code in the search box to find the nearest one. They may have a formal intake procedure and invite you to come and fill out some forms. Another way to search for a local organization is to put "christmas clearing house" or "christmas coordinating council" and the name of your town in Google. Another is to call 211, IF you live in an area where you can find social services by dialing 211. Find out by searching at this website. Another organization that gives toys to children is Toys for Tots. Their page has a website to help you find your local branch. Another way to find help is a nearby church, which is probably working with a local Christmas clearing house.
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Angels with Faith Ministries has moved to our new permanent location at 198 Dogwood Lane Cleveland GA 30528 We have already begun to pickup Christmas donations as we do every year in July gearing up for a very busy Christmas season.We help children in all of Georgia& never turn a child in true need away,our goal is to make sure that NO child in Ga will ever go without something under the tree on Christmas morning,warm clothing & food.We have volunteers to pickup donated toys(new & LIGHTLY used),warm clothing,coats&shoes,baby needs,gifts for teens,electronics,computers of any kind in working condition(kids need them for school & they make an excellent gift for teens),nonperishable food items,wrapping supplies,etc.Our Christmas Angels Program begins each year on November1st but you can sign up at any time to be a Christmas Angel & then hoose your families from our Christmas needs list as families are added beginning on Nov 1st,list is updated several times daily families are added as they come in & removed as they are adopted or sponsored.You can actually choose which families you want to help from the list which includes 1st names,city,each childs name,age,sizes&actual santa wishlist & meet & work with that or those families personally or sponsor them through us& every cent that you spend is tax deductible including gas & mileage for charity.Last year were blessed to help 1083 children&this year we expect many more we are hoping that we have plent of Christmas Angels to help us make sure that they all have a wonderful Christmas.We receive 0 funding & rely only on the tax deductible donations of angels so that we can provide Christmas gifts,warm clothing & holiday food baskets to every child on our needs list,these children live in poverty all year long & truelly deserve a day of joy& happiness & the miracle of Christmas.We all have the power to make a difference & through our unique program you can actually the difference that you are making.100% of EVERY donation through paypal,check,money order,gift card etc from July to December goes toward this program.We hope to have you as a Christmas Angel this year visit our website at http://angelswithfaithministries.beep.com we are a certified & registered 501c3 truelly nonprofit(we pay all costs out of pockt&are a home based charity so that 100% of every donation goes to helping those in true need) charity..Donations can also be dropped off here on the front covered porch at anytime all year long.We help families every day of the year & pickup anything in good usable condition,even truckloads
Angels with Faith Ministries has moved to our new permanent location at 198 Dogwood Lane Cleveland GA 30528 We have already begun to pickup Christmas donations as we do every year in July gearing up for a very busy Christmas season.We help children in all of Georgia& never turn a child in true need away,our goal is to make sure that NO child in Ga will ever go without something under the tree on Christmas morning,warm clothing & food.We have volunteers to pickup donated toys(new & LIGHTLY used),warm clothing,coats&shoes,baby needs,gifts for teens,electronics,computers of any kind in working condition(kids need them for school & they make an excellent gift for teens),nonperishable food items,wrapping supplies,etc.Our Christmas Angels Program begins each year on November1st but you can sign up at any time to be a Christmas Angel & then hoose your families from our Christmas needs list as families are added beginning on Nov 1st,list is updated several times daily families are added as they come in & removed as they are adopted or sponsored.You can actually choose which families you want to help from the list which includes 1st names,city,each childs name,age,sizes&actual santa wishlist & meet & work with that or those families personally or sponsor them through us& every cent that you spend is tax deductible including gas & mileage for charity.Last year were blessed to help 1083 children&this year we expect many more we are hoping that we have plent of Christmas Angels to help us make sure that they all have a wonderful Christmas.We receive 0 funding & rely only on the tax deductible donations of angels so that we can provide Christmas gifts,warm clothing & holiday food baskets to every child on our needs list,these children live in poverty all year long & truelly deserve a day of joy& happiness & the miracle of Christmas.We all have the power to make a difference & through our unique program you can actually the difference that you are making.100% of EVERY donation through paypal,check,money order,gift card etc from July to December goes toward this program.We hope to have you as a Christmas Angel this year visit our website at http://angelswithfaithministries.beep.com we are a certified & registered 501c3 truelly nonprofit(we pay all costs out of pockt&are a home based charity so that 100% of every donation goes to helping those in true need) charity..Donations can also be dropped off here on the front covered porch at anytime all year long.We help families every day of the year & pickup anything in good usable condition,even truckloads
Thanks for the update. We removed your older posting.
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