Searching for ways to give back to the community this holiday season? This time of year always helps us see outside of ourselves and give more. Sure, you’ve tossed some change into a red bucket while bells are ringing, and the Salvation Army does much good work. But, if you’re looking for opportunities to share your time, your heart, and your money, we’ve found seven Portland charities that need you.
#1. Central City Concern Portland Charities
Central City Concern offers help to families and individuals that are homeless, suffer from poverty, or struggle with addiction. Their agency assists with employment and offers social services, affordable housing, and healthcare. Central City Concern uses this whole approach to help transform those struggling into confident citizens who have a desire to give back to the community.
You can get involved by applying for volunteer opportunities here. Or check out the Amazon wish list for items needed in Central City Concern clinics throughout greater Portland.
#2. Snowcap Community Charities
If you want to help a local foodbank, Snowcap Community Charities is an excellent option. Snowcap services Multnomah County and offers people monthly visits to the pantry. There is also a small clothing section, as well as a community garden and senior citizen food box delivery service.
Food, clothing, and other items are always needed. See what Snowcap will accept here. You can also organize a food drive, and they’ll provide the barrels to collect donations.
#3. Store to Door
If you’d like to volunteer or donate to Portland charities that help senior citizens, consider Store to Door. Their mission is to help seniors stay in independent living situations and help them advocate for themselves. What is unique about Store to Door is that seniors are able to choose what they eat for themselves. Orders are placed on the phone and volunteers deliver to their door.
Store to door is looking for volunteers to help take phone orders, shop, and deliver. They also accept monetary donations.
#4. Friends of the Children
Friends of the Children is a mentorship program for at-risk youth. Mentorship through this program is different than in most. Not only are mentors qualified employees, rather than volunteers, but they are also committed to a long-term mentorship with each child. Mentors, or friends, take on a whole-child approach, participating with the child’s school, community arts and sports programs, and most importantly, their parents. The long-term goal is generational change. Stories from graduates of the program show that the poverty cycle is ending for many of these at-risk youths.
If you’d like to help fund Friends of the Children, you can donate here.
#5. Raphael House
Many victims of domestic abuse survive because they had a safe house to go to. Raphael House offers just that. The house offers emergency shelter for those trying to escape violence from their intimate partners. Eleven rooms are available, with nine that will house a family of five, and two rooms that accommodate two single adults each. They also offer advocacy services, prevention education, and a youth program. And they have long-term planning services and affordable housing options to help victims move from emergency to permanent shelter.
Toys and monetary donations are especially needed during the holiday season. Other household donations and volunteers are needed year-round.
#6. The Pixie Project
The Pixie Project is a nonprofit animal rescue that has a unique pet-matching system. Dogs and cats at The Pixie Project come from mostly rural shelters that are overcrowded. Their adoption fees include spaying or neutering, vaccinations, and microchipping. There’s even a low-cost vet clinic at the project for veterans, seniors, and low-income pet owners.
There are a lot of ways to help out the Pixie Project. You can volunteer, become a foster parent, or donate cash. You can also buy a cute pair of new glasses from Fetch eyewear, and all of the profits will go to the Pixie Project.
#7. Wheel to Walk Foundation
The Wheel to Walk Foundation helps children and young adults with disabilities get the equipment they need to have a better quality of life. We love Portland charities that help so much with day-to-day needs. Many children need modified equipment to fully participate with their peers. All of the equipment offered by Wheel to Walk is not covered by insurance plans and can be anything from a simple shower chair to an adaptive tricycle.
You can donate to the Wheel to Walk Foundation here.
We hope that you’ll take some time to learn more about one (or all!) of these Portland charities and get involved. The holiday season is the perfect time to find ways to give back to our community. For more info on other ways to get involved, check out HandsOn: Greater Portland. They have ways to volunteer listed by interest. There are endless opportunities to volunteer right here in Portland.