The following is a list of local agencies that are seeking donations for the holiday season.
CHILDREN'S NEEDS
Project Linus, Fort Wayne/NE Indiana Chapter, 1711 Greythorn Drive, Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-479-6595
Website: www.bestlinus.org
Purpose: To provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans
Needs: Finished blankets according to organization guidelines; volunteers to make blankets; 4-ply washable
Drop-off: Call ahead for drop-off information
Christ Child Society of Fort Wayne, 915 S. Clinton St., Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-422-4611, ext. 3315
Purpose: Provides tutoring for reading and math skills, coats for kids program, backpacks for foster children and support for women's care center
Needs: Diapers (size 3 through 6 and pull-ups), clothing (newborn through 4T) pajamas, girl's tights, boy's jeans, winter coats, cotton fabric, warm and natural batting, thread, children's books, small and regular-sized hair brushes, deodorant, wide-ruled loose leaf paper, two-pocket folders (without prongs), colored pencils, scissors, coloring and activity books, stuffed animals, flash cards or books that help children learn the alphabet, numbers, shapes and colors, potty seats and pack-n-play beds
Drop-off: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
Lutheran Social Services of Indiana , 330 Madison St., Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-426-3347, ext. 324
Website: www.LSSIN.org
Purpose: Providing services to empower individuals and families to move toward social, emotional and spiritual wholeness
Needs: Little Tikes basketball goals and shopping carts, six sand/water centers by Community Play Things, four mini art floor easels by Community Play Things (contact agency for specific model), diapers and wet wipes
Drop-off: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 to 11 a.m. Friday
Metro Youth Sports Inc., 801 E. Wayne St., Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-422-6502
Purpose: An educational study table to help with reading and math for children who participate in a sports program
Needs: 100 new helmets for the Pee Wee football program
Drop-off: Call ahead for drop-off information
Headwaters Counseling, 2712 S. Calhoun St., Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-744-4326
Website: www.familychildren.org
Purpose: Promoting and developing healthy relationships in individuals, families and communities
Needs: Toy doctor's kit, crayons, markers and other items for play therapy rooms
Drop-off: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon Fridays
Early Childhood Alliance, 3320 Fairfield Ave., Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-458-0125
Website: www.ecalliance.org Purpose: Parenting programs for low-income families to promote a child's growth and development
Needs: Cans of Play-Doh, washable Crayola markers, wipe-off crayons for boards, non-holiday cookie cutters, Elmer's glue sticks, colored pencils, rolls of Scotch tape, watercolor paint, Oballs, sidewalk chalk, moon sand, new and gently used children's books, multicultural books
Drop-off: Call ahead for drop-off information
Crossroad Child and Family Services, 2525 Lake Ave., Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-484-4153, ext. 2002
Website: www.crossroad-fwch.org
Purpose: Providing therapy, education and family support services to children in difficult circumstances
Needs: Woodcraft and jewelry-making kits, Wii console and Wii games, playground balls, Legos
Drop-off: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Volunteer Center RSVP, 3401 Lake Ave., Suite 4, Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-424-3505
Website: www.volunteerfortwayne.org Purpose: A corps of volunteers to fill important community roles, to provide for its volunteers meaningful opportunities for community service relevant to their skills, abilities and interests
Needs: Children's warm winter coats sizes newborn to 5X, hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, yarn
Drop-off: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 to 11 a.m. Friday
The Closet: A Program of Family Centered Services, 123 S. Marion, Bluffton
Phone: 800-824-6111
Purpose: Providing free clothing and necessities for infants and preschool-aged children
Needs: Children's clothing size newborn to 6, winter coats and accessories, shoes and boots, underwear and socks, sippy cups, toothbrushes, bibs, pacifiers, bottles, toys, high chairs, bouncy seats, exersaucers, etc.
Drop-off: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; call ahead for additional drop-off information
Whitington Homes and Services for Children and Families, 2423 Fairfield Ave., Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-745-9431, ext. 106
Purpose: To develop independent life skills that lead to self-sufficient families
Needs: Car seats, baby gates, outlet safety covers, child-proof safety locks, bed-in-a-bag sets, infant and toddler sheet sets
Drop-off: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Northeast Indiana Deaf Awareness Council, P.O. Box 80212, Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-344-1477
Purpose: Christmas gifts for boys and girls who are deaf or have deaf parents or grandparents
Needs: Toys $15 or less for boys and girls up to age 10
Drop-off: Mail to address above
The Disorderly Bear Den, 424 Archer Ave., Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-409-9886
Purpose: Teddy bears to children in trauma situations and lonely adults in the Fort Wayne area
Needs: New and gently used teddy bears and other stuffed animals; used items must be in like-new condition
Drop-off: Items can be dropped off during daylight hours; call ahead for more information
A Hope Center Pregnancy and Relationship Resources, 3630 Hobson Road, Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-422-3544
Website: www.ahcfriends.org
Purpose: To provide life-transforming services related to pregnancy and sexual integrity; donations will benefit the "Earn While You Learn" educational assistance program for clients affected by an unexpected pregnancy
Needs: Diapers (newborn to size 6, pull-ups in all sizes), diaper wipes, baby clothing to size 2 (sleepers and onesies), baby bottles, lotion, shampoo, baby wash, jars of baby food, formula (powdered), swings, playpens, high chairs, strollers, bassinettes (new or like-new), cribs (new only)
Drop-off: 3630 Hobson Road, Fort Wayne closed Mondays and Saturdays and open Tuesday and Wednesday evenings; 3701 S. Calhoun St., Suite C., Fort Wayne closed Saturdays and open Monday evenings; 4705 Illinois Road, Suite 115, Fort Wayne closed Wednesdays, open Saturdays; 13410 Main St., Grabill, open 4 to 7 p.m. Mondays only; call ahead for specific hours of operation
The Salvation Army, 2901 N. Clinton St., Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-438-9205
Website: www.safortwayne.org
Purpose: Providing children's clothing and toys for Christmas
Needs: Children's clothing and toys needed for Angel Tree. Gift cards needed for Card a Teen program. Tags for these programs are available in early November at The Salvation Army and the deadline for gifts is Dec. 10. Toys, clothes and gift certificate for a Christmas meal needed for Adopt a Family program. The deadline to adopt a family was Nov. 12 and gifts are due by Dec. 3. Volunteers are also needed for ringing red kettles.
Drop-off: Call ahead for drop-off information
SCAN Inc., 500 W. Main St., Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-421-5000, ext. 2237
Website: www.scaninc.org Purpose: To eliminate the abuse and neglect of children through family services, education and community partnerships
Needs: Play-Doh, watercolor sets, construction paper, glue sticks, white tube socks, Matchbox cars, baby bottles, sippy cups, cleaning supplies, toiletries, paper products
Drop-off: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
Land of Lakes Family Health Services Inc., 317 S. Wayne St., Angola
Phone: 260-665-2403
Purpose: Free medical, dental and vision care to children ages birth to 12 from low- to-moderate-income families
Needs: 12 to 14 nonfolding, stackable chairs for children
Drop-off: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, call to make arrangements
Helping Hands Center for Special Needs, Trinity English Lutheran Church, 405 W. Wayne St., Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-422-3717
Purpose: Nonprofit school for children age 2 to 12 specializing in individual ABA therapy in a classroom setting for children with learning, communication, and developmental delays
Needs: Dresser, twin bed, 36-inch tricycle, iPad
Drop-off: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
March of Dimes, 303 Stable Drive, Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-482-4201
Purpose: To improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality
Needs: Card tables, 10-by-10 and 12-by-12 popup canopies
Drop-off: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday
Healthier Moms and Babies, 700 Broadway, Medical Office Building Suite 216, Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-425-3348
Website: www.healthiermomsandbabies.org
Purpose: Health education and case-management services to low-income pregnant women and their families
Needs: Baby clothes and sleep sacks for newborns to age 24 months, electric breast pumps
Drop-off: Call ahead for drop-off information
FOOD DONATIONS
St. Andrews Soup Kitchen, 2714 New Haven Ave., Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-423-6326
Purpose: Soup, bread and food items to families in need
Needs: Canned foods, boxed dinners
Drop-off: 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Helping Hands, 275 Martin St., Rome City
Phone: 260-351-3053
Purpose: Assisting people in need from Orange and Johnson Townships
Needs: Food
Drop-off: Starting at noon Thursdays at 276 Martin St., Rome City
Friends of the Poor, 611 W. Wayne St., Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-422-6821
Purpose: To provide employment training for low income adults in retail clerk, bookkeeping, graphic arts, building maintenance and shipping and receiving; also markets handmade crafts
Needs: Food for lunch program
Drop-off: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday or by appointment
Fort Wayne Center for Learning, 800 Broadway, Suite 215, Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-469-3925
Website: www.fwcl.org
Purpose: Help children develop critical learning skills to promote success in school and a positive self-image
Needs: Individually wrapped snacks
Drop-off: Call ahead for drop-off information
Wellspring Interfaith Social Services, 1316 Broadway, Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-422-6618
Purpose: People of faith working together to support and enrich lives
Needs: Food items including butter/margarine, cheese slices, powdered milk packets and shampoo
Drop-off : 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays
Ave Maria House, 432 E. Madison St., Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-705-1690
Purpose: To provide a day shelter for homeless and those in need of socialization; men and women who visit the shelter shower, do laundry, search for work on a computer or have coffee and donated food
Needs: Coffee, creamer, sugar
Drop-off: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday at Ave Maria House; 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at St. Mary's Church office
Hope House Inc., 1115 and 1129 Garden St., Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-424-3711
Website: www.hopehouseinc.us
Purpose: Provide homeless, chemically dependent women with opportunities to pursue recovery and self-sufficiency in a healthy, supportive living environment
Needs: Canned food
Drop-off: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Homebound Meals Inc., 611 W. Berry St., Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-422-3296
Website: www.homeboundmealsfw.org
Purpose: Enhance the quality of life of the homebound community by delivering hot, nutritional meals and visits of volunteer drivers
Needs: Campbell's Healthy Choice soup
Drop-off: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or Umber's Do it Best stores during business hours
Saint Martin's Soup Kitchen, 300 W. Houston, Garrett
Phone: 260-357-3472
Purpose: Serving hot meals to anyone in need
Needs: No. 10 cans of corn, green beans, yellow wax beans, carrots, chili beans, kidney beans, red beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, mixed vegetables, applesauce, pudding
Drop-off: 8:30 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. Mondays, call ahead for additional drop-off times
Allen County Christmas Bureau Inc., P.O. Box 13265, Fort Wayne
Phone : 260-710-2163
Purpose: Provide for the Christmas needs and desires of needy families by providing gifts and food, personal-hygiene items and cleaning products to families and individuals; all 359 Allen County families have been adopted this year
Needs: Non-perishable food
Drop-off: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 26 to 30 at 3674 N. Wells St. in the Wells Commerce Center
Partnering with Families, 7501 Hessen Cassel Road, Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-441-9517
Purpose: Empowering families and children in attaining excellence in education and enhancing personal growth and positive family dynamics
Needs: Food for monthly meetings
Drop-off: Call ahead for drop-off times
St. Mary's Soup Kitchen, 1101 Lafayette St., Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-426-1217
Purpose: Provides nourishing meals seven days a week to low-income families in the Fort Wayne area
Needs: Instant potatoes, extra-wide noodles, macaroni, rice
Drop-off: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Items can also be dropped at the St. Mary's Church office from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday or 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday
Community Center of Caring Food Pantry, 113 W. Fifth St., Auburn
Phone: 260-925-0917
Purpose: To serve the needs of the poor and impoverished
Needs: Bath soap, deodorant, shampoo, dish soap, laundry soap, toilet paper, paper towels, diapers, feminine hygiene items, shaving cream, toothpaste, toothbrushes, peanut butter, jelly, baby food, formula, instant potatoes, soups, crackers, macaroni and cheese, canned fruit and vegetables, canned pastas, canned stew, cake mixes, frosting, baking mix, pancake mix, flour, sugar, syrup, noodles, spaghetti noodles and sauce, cooking oil, ketchup, mustard, salad dressing, mayonnaise, canned meat, canned tuna, powdered milk, shelf milk, boxed dinners, can openers
Drop-off: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday at 107 W. Fifth St., Auburn
Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana, 999 E. Tillman Road, Fort Wayne
Phone: 260-447-3696
Website: www.communityharvest.com Purpose: Seeking to alleviate hunger through the use of donated food and other resources
Needs: Frozen turkeys, non-perishable food items
Drop-off: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
