2011 I Love Memphis Charitable Giving Guide
2011 I Love Memphis Charitable Giving Guide
Last week, I published my annual holiday gift guide. It was stuffed with gifts from local businesses for your family, friends and co-workers. This week, it's time for the annual I Love Memphis Charitable Giving Guide, which lists a ton of deserving charities based in Memphis that could use your time, cash or help.
This list is by no means complete - there are hundreds of great organizations working to improve Memphis. This list is just a small sampling of those. If your favorite local charity or non-profit isn't listed here, leave it in the comments so that others can find it.
The DeNeuville Learning Center knows that there are few things in life more valuable than education. The center's mission is to guide women through education (they offer all kinds of classes, including GED, ESL, and practical skills like job searching and money management). They also offer counseling, babysitting and emergency services to women in need. The center always needs monetary donations, but occasionally, they need volunteer teachers. Here's how to help.
The Hospitality Hub isn't a shelter, but it does provide for the basic needs of Memphis' homeless population. The Hub allows people to use computers, have access to a phone and permanent address (helpful when job searching), counseling, restrooms, assistance in aquiring birth certificates, traveler's aid and locker storage. Hospitality Hub relies on donations to stay open ($35 covers the cost of eight shelter vouchers), but they also need supplies like gently used professional clothing and books for their library. Here's a full list of what the Hub needs.
You've heard of the Salvation Army's Angel Tree, which gives people a chance to fulfill a kid's Christmas wishlist. Silver Bells is just like that, only instead of children, the presents go to homebound senior citizens. These seniors need pajamas, books, hygeine products, bedding, slippers, and towels. Here's how to donate.
Porter-Leath works directly with at-risk children and families in Memphis to help parents give their children healthy and safe lives. They run a Head Start preschool, provide meals and snacks, partner kids with foster grandparents and offer parenting support to at-risk families. They need monetary donations, but they also need volunteers and donated goods.
Advance Memphis works with Memphians in the Cleaborn and Foote neighborhood (just east of Downtown) to become empowered, economically self-sufficient citizens through education, jobs training, job placement and mentoring. Here's how you can help.
Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center
The MGLCC provides a safe, welcoming space for Memphis’ gay and lesbian community. They provide HIV testing, support groups, and clothing and food for gay and lesbian youth, and resources for families. They’re in constant need of monetary gifts, items from their wish list, and volunteers.
Girls, Inc. provides after school programs and mentoring to girls ages 6 - 18. Through these programs, girls learn the skills they need to become confident, strong and self-sufficient women. Currently, Girls, Inc. needs monetary donations. They also need volunteers and mentors to help with their programs.
Community Foundation of Greater Memphis: Give365
The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis matches large philanthropic donors with organizations in need. If you're not a large donor, though, consider contributing to the Community Foundation's Give365 program: donors in the program give $1 per day. The money is pooled and then get to vote on which organizations recieve the money.
Hope House works to better the lives of children and families who have been affected by HIV. They provide day care, pre-school, therapy, residential assistance, HIV/AIDS education, counseling and emergency financial assistance. They need financial donations (especially to their emergency fund) and items from their wish list (including toys and books, clothing, diapers and household goods).
The Memphis Child Advocacy Center works improve the lives of sexually and physically abused children through prevention, intervention and education. All of the money that they receive in donations goes directly toward giving children in the Memphis area that have been in some pretty awful situations better lives through crisis intervention, medical services and education. Here's how you can help.
Revolutions Community Bicycle Shop
Revolutions Community Bicycle Shop is working to make Memphis a healthier and more sustainable place by helping Memphians get access to bicycles. Everyone that goes through the Revolutions program learns bike repair skills and walks away with a cycle that they built themselves. This year, Revolutions is working to refurbish 30 bikes for kids at the YMCA. If you'd like to volunteer your time (or donate a bike), here's how to help.
The Mid-South Food Bank fights hunger by distributing donated food to the area's neediest residents. During the holiday season, you can help the Food Bank by donating food or cash to their food drive on Dec. 7th, sending a holiday card or cookie letter, or volunteering to sort and package food at the Food Bank's warehouse. Find out more about the ways you can help.
Imagine landing a promising job interview, but not being able to afford appropriate clothing. Dress for Success helps make sure that doesn't happen by providing appropriate interview clothing to disadvantaged women in the Mid-South. They're in need of monetary donations, volunteers, and donations of business clothing, footwear and accessories.
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