The holidays are a great time to give back and pay your good fortune forward. 2022 brought tighter budgets to many as prices of gas, groceries, and everything in-between increased significantly. These daily expenses will definitely bring challenges for many during the holidays.
Whether you have extra time or resources to give or need a little help, here are some of the programs you can partner with. Give back and volunteer in Des Moines this holiday season.
Learn about opportunities for holiday giving in Des Moines for your family to participate in.
Whether you have extra time or resources to give or need a little help, here are some of the programs you can partner with. Give back and volunteer in Des Moines this holiday season.
Holiday Giving in Des Moines
Anawim Housing: Home is Everything
Orchard Place 2022 Holiday Drive
Sign up to shop for a child or children. Sponsoring a child consists of purchasing 3 items from their wish list then wrapping and delivering them to the Orchard Place Branch. Don’t want to do the shopping, but want to help? Make a monetary donation and they’ll go shopping! Learn more here.
West Des Moines Human Services Holiday Assistance
Bring joy to families this holiday season. There are many options including adopting a family, purchasing grocery gift cards, or making a monetary donation. Learn more here.
EveryStep
EveryStep is the name behind services like HCI Hospice Care Services, Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa, Amanda the Panda, and more than 30 programs and services with a shared mission. Each year, hundreds of people help them spread holiday cheer with their Cheer Box program. If you would like to help wrap boxes or deliver boxes this November, sign up by contacting Megan at [email protected].
EveryStep has a great list of resources if you are in need of a helping hand this holiday season. See their complete list of where to apply for assistance with holiday meals, toys and gifts, and other winter assistance programs here.
Children & Families of Iowa
Children & Families of Iowa (CFI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families throughout Iowa. CFI provides services, such as domestic violence prevention and intervention, teen programs, family support, early childhood development, mental health, and substance abuse. During the holiday season, CFI hosts Adopt A Family programs, a Holiday Shop, and Toy Drives. Check out all of the detail here, as well as learn how you can volunteer your time!
Central Iowa Shelter & Services
Central Iowa Shelter & Services is committed to providing low-barrier shelter*, meals, and support services at no cost to adults experiencing homelessness, while also facilitating their move towards self-sufficiency.
They have many areas of need; find out how you can help here.
Hope Ministries
Help deliver thousands of meals around the Des Moines area to individuals and families in need. Spots are filling quickly, but there are plenty of opportunities to help for Christmas. Learn more here.
Angel Tree | Outlets of Des Moines
Donate to a child in need. From Saturday, November 19 through Friday, December 16, 2022, the Angel Tree (located in the Food Pavilion) will be decorated with ornaments listed with a child’s holiday wishes. Donations can be dropped off at Customer Service. There is also a collection box for Toys for Tots.
Give Joy Holiday Gift Shop
An online toy shop created by a Des Moines couple that allows parents and family members to buy gifts at affordable prices. Check out the Amazon wishlist. Shop the list and ship toys directly, drop off new toys or clothing, or donate funds.
Toys for Tots
Des Moines Parks and Recreation is partnering with the U.S. Marine Corps this holiday season. Ensure that your children have a holiday they’ll never forget by signing up for Toys for Tots! Toys are available for children 14 and under only. Learn more here.
Food Bank of Iowa Combat Hunger 2022
Raise money to provide meals to feed hungry families in Iowa. More details here.
Iowa Homeless Youth Center
Adopt a youth/family, provide a care package, donate a meal, or volunteer. Help spread joy for over 170 homeless and at-risk youth in Des Moines. Visit https://www.yss.org/holiday/ for more details.
Single Parent Provision
Single Parent Provision is hosting its 11th annual Single Parent Moms Christmas Dinner on December 10 as a way to say, “We see you!”.
Tickets are $15 per individual (mother only) or $25 per family (mother and children). Scholarships are gladly provided and easily requested by simply emailing [email protected] to receive a discount code.
Registration closes Friday, December 2.
Holiday Helping Hands with Urbandale Community Action Network
The Urbandale Community Action Network (UCAN) is a 501(c)3 citizen group providing leadership and ongoing support for comprehensive community-based action to improve the quality of life in Urbandale. UCAN works collaboratively with local government, churches, civic, and community organizations, not for profits, citizens, and the business community to accomplish common goals and to help make a difference in the lives of Urbandale residents.
UCAN Holiday Helping Hands Programs include Thanksgiving Needs Baskets, Adopt-A-Family, Santa for Seniors, Christmas Food Assistance, and At-Risk Teen Outreach. To sign up to help please contact UCAN at [email protected] or call 515-278-3936.
United Way of Central Iowa
United Way of Central Iowa is United to Thrive. They are committed to bringing together donors, volunteers, advocates, nonprofits, leaders, and more to take on central Iowa’s toughest challenges. They have created an online Helping Hand Guide for volunteer opportunities around the Des Moines metro area this holiday season.
Animal Rescue Organizations
In addition to people helping people, the Des Moines metro area is fortunate to have several wonderful animal rescue organizations. They include AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport, Animal Lifeline of Iowa, Animal Rescue League, Furry Friends Refuge, and Hope Animal Rescue. These organizations work year-round rescuing animals and giving them second chances. Most rescues host various supply drives and “adopt a shelter pet” programs during the holiday season. Often these donated supplies will help stock a rescue for months meaning more dollars to spend saving animals.
Iowa Homeless Youth Centers has lots of ways to give back including adopt a youth/family, provide a care package, donate a meal or volunteer. Help spread joy for over 170 homeless and at risk youth in Des Moines. Visit https://www.yss.org/holiday/ for more details.
Adopt a youth/family: https://www.roonga.com/holidaygiving2021
THANK YOU, BLAKE!