You may be seeing lots of things about “Giving Tuesday”. According to GivingTuesday.org, Giving Tuesday started in November of 2012 to inspire people and companies to take action and help their community on a local or national level. After a successful “Giving Tuesday” in 2012, 2013’s day saw double the involvement and in 2018 Facebook helped raise $125 million.
This year, more than ever before, what a better way to help your community than take some time to give back. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on every community and Wichita has not been immune. Need has never been higher for donations to food banks, homeless shelters, and non-profits that assist those in our community. If you already have a place you like to donate to, that is fantastic! If you are looking for some ideas, we’ve curated a list of ideas and ways you can participate in Giving Tuesday.
For more information about each organization stated below, links have been included throughout the list that follows. Please keep in mind that some ways to give may be limited due to COVID-19, but most organizations have provided information regarding how you can still donate this year.
WAYS YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN GIVING TUESDAY
1. Donate to organizations that help the community.
There are many organizations that need both monetary and new items donated to help them achieve their missions. Here a few that can benefit greatly from any kind of donation you can make.
Kansas Food Bank
Learn more about Kansas Food Bank and their mission here. What to do donate:
- Monetary Donations
- Non-Perishable Items
- Canned Fruits in Light Syrup or Juice
- Dried Fruits
- Whole Grain Crackers
- Brown Rice
- Whole Grain Pasta
- Oatmeal
- Whole Wheat Flour
- Cornmeal
- Whole Grain Breakfast Cereal
- Canned Low Sodium Vegetables, Soups and Sauces
- Canned or Dried Beans in Any Variety
- Canned Chicken
- Nuts in Any Variety
- Nut Butters
- Nonfat Dry Milk
- Evaporated Milk
- Shelf-Stable (UHT) Milk
Non-perishable food items can be donated to the Food Bank at 1919 E. Douglas Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm. If you have questions, call 265.3663.
Wichita Children’s Home
As the only emergency, temporary and residential care for children in our community, this non-profit relies heavily on community support to make their mission possible. You can learn more about WCH here.
There are many ways you can donate to the Wichita Children’s Home! See a full list of ideas, where to donate and learn more about WCH here.
An easy way to help out WCH is pick up an extra toy, clothing or food item while you’re out shopping and arrange with WCH for a drop off. You can see WCH’s full Wishlist here.
Rainbows United
Rainbows United enhances the lives of children with special needs and their families through community resources and customized services from birth through age 21. You can learn more about Rainbows United through their website.
Currently the need both monetary donations and have a Wishlist of items that they are in need of as well. If you choose to make a monetary donation, you can do so here. Click here to see their Wishlist and learn more about items they need donated.
American Red Cross
Looking to donate on a national level? The Red Cross helps individuals across the country and locally when disaster strikes. If you’re looking to donate for yourself or make a donation as a gift for someone else, the Red Cross has setup a great giving page to understand and choose where your donation dollars go.
ICT SOS
ICT SOS is a relatively new organization within the community. From their website:
ICT SOS is a Wichita-based organization. We act as a liaison between specific local professional organizations who work with at-risk and trafficked youth or adults and the Wichita volunteers who seek to find solutions! By connecting local agencies with volunteers and resources, ICT SOS helps facilitate their missions of fighting sex trafficking.
There are many ways for you to get involved and help ICT SOS. Check out their Give page here to learn more.
Harbor House
Harbor House at Catholic Charities is on a mission to break the cycle of domestic violence by providing a safe place to stay and support services, educational opportunities and referrals to community resources to victims of domestic violence. Learn more about Harbor House and the kinds of donations that are needed here.
Ronald McDonald House Charities
The Ronald McDonald House helps over 1600 sick or injured children and their families through both the Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald Family Room in the Wesley Pediatric Units. If you’ve ever had a sick or injured child, you know what a relief it is to have access to all that they offer. There are a variety of ways you can donate to the Ronald McDonald Charities through both monetary donations and wish list items.
Operation Christmas Spirit
Going strong for 17 years, Operation Christmas Spirit helps support military families in the form of holiday gratitude and offers many ways to get involved including “Adopting” a Military Family, Donating Online, Hosting a Toy Drive and more! Find out all the ways you can help a military family out this year.
2. Make a difference in others’ lives by volunteering.
Volunteering is a simple way to give back and is completely free to do! By giving your time and energy to another today and beyond, you can make huge impact. Below are a list of organizations and non-profits in the community that often need volunteers and links to the pages on their websites that let you know more about volunteering.
CASA | https://www.casaofsedgwickcounty.org/menus/volunteer_2.html
The Kansas Humane Society | https://www.kshumane.org/how-to-help/volunteer.html
Habitat for Humanity | https://www.habitat.org/volunteer
Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters | https://www.kansasbigs.org/be-a-big
The Lord’s Diner | https://thelordsdiner.org/volunteer/
United Methodist Open Door | https://umopendoor.org/volunteering/
Union Rescue Mission | https://urmwichita.org/how-to-help/volunteer/
Rainbows United | https://rainbowsunited.org/volunteer
3. Instead of Spring Cleaning do a Winter Cleaning.
You’ll probably need more than just one day to do this, but you can start today! Clean out your closets, shelves and storage areas and donate clothing, household items, toys, furniture and more that are gently used and in good condition to places that sell and/or give these items to those in need. Plus, this is a great way to make space for the coming-soon-Christmas gifts and presents that are sure to fill up your home! Here is a list of local places that take in-kind donations, where you can drop off donations, and links for more information.
Carpenter Place
What to Donate: Furniture, Girls & Women’s Clothing, Surplus Office or School Supplies
Questions: 316.942.3221 | [email protected]
Donation Drop Off:
1501 N Meridian
Wichita, KS 67203
Open Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:00pm
Learn More: https://www.carpenterplace.org/about
Wichita Family Crisis Center
What to Donate: View their Wishlist
Questions: 316.263.7501
Donation Drop Off:
1111 N St. Francis
Wichita, KS 67214
Open Monday-Friday 8:00am-4pm
Learn More: https://www.wichitafamilycrisiscenter.org/
Other Ways to Donate: https://www.wichitafamilycrisiscenter.org/how-to-help/
His Helping Hands by Central Christian Church
What to Donate: View Current Needed Items
Questions: 316.838.8528
Donation Drop Off:
1441 E 37th St
Wichita, KS 67219
Follow the instructions on building signage for drop offs.
Open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and Saturdays from 9:00am-11:30am
Faith Builders
What to Donate:
- New: School Supplies, Snacks, Diapers, Wipes, Formula & Baby Food
- Gently Used or New:
- Clothing for Infants & Children
- Beds
- Appliances
- Household Goods
- Items Necessary to Start Fresh in a New Living Environment
Questions: 316.200.0768
Donation Drop Off:
Imagine That Toys at 29th & Rock
Learn More: https://beafaithbuilder.org/help-faithbuilders/
DAV Stores
What to Donate: Most Gently Used Items, See a Full List Here
Questions or to Schedule a Pickup: 316.262.7440
Donation Drop Off:
Open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm
Dress for Success (Women) & Works for Success (Men)
What to Donate: Gently Used, Nearly-New Professional Attire & Accessories, New Makeup, New Undergarments, New Hygiene Items & Men’s Suits (Works for Success ONLY)
Questions: https://wichita.dressforsuccess.org/get-involved/donate/
Dontation Drop Off:
Open Monday-Friday 7:00am-7:00pm & Saturdays 9:00am-4:00pm
-OR-
Dress For Success Wichita Office near 13th & West
Open Mondays from 9:00am-3:00pm
For Men’s Suits | Works for Success located at 555 N. Woodlawn, Ste 3105, Wichita.
Questions: 316.651.1278
4. Donate Without Leaving Your Home.
Amazon Smile is a simple way to get involved in Giving Tuesday and beyond! After setting it up through the click of a few buttons, Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice every time you shop at no cost to you. Click here to learn more!
Operation Christmas Child lets you build a gift-filled shoebox online that is then shipped overseas to be given to children in need. You can learn more and build a shoebox all from your computer or mobile phone without leaving home here.
5. Donate Blood or Plasma.
There is a big need for blood and plasma donation this year, especially if you have successfully recovered from COVID. You can learn more about donating blood through the American Red Cross’ website. If you don’t need any further information and are ready to schedule at a local blood donation site, you can do so here. CSL Plasma located here in Wichita is also has a high demand for Plasma donation. You can learn more here.
6. Make Christmas Better for a Child – Buy & Donate a Toy!
Most corporate retail stores and even local stores are participating as both purchase and drop off sites for non-profits that donate new toys to children in need during the holidays. Should you visit a store offering this and you have a little extra to spare, purchase something to be donated that might make this time of year super special for a little one. Here are some examples of non-profits to look for. Click the name of the non-profit to learn more.
7. Help Your Neighbor.
One of the easiest ways to participate today – and everyday – is by helping your neighbor, a friend or even a stranger if you see they need help. Hold a door open. Say a kind word. Buy lunch for the car behind you in the drive through. Pick up groceries for a neighbor that is stuck at home. Give some encouragement to your coworkers. These simple acts can make a difference for those that receive them and it is the easiest, most effortless way for you to give back to your community any time of year.