FLINT, Michigan -- The holiday season is always difficult for families in need. That need is amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, with high unemployment and worries about the health of loved ones adding to the costs associated with the winter months, including higher utility bills, holidays, and healthcare costs associated with cold and flu season.
Flintside is inviting organizations that provide basic services and vital necessities to people to share what their needs are this winter and how those who can help can best support them. If you would like your organization to be added to this list, simply fill out this form.
Active Boys in Christ
Contact: Derrick Watkins, (810) 391-2296
Need(s): The 20-25 families (youth age ranges are 7-17 years old) served by Active Boys in Christ would benefit from gift cards for food and gas from Kroger, Meijer, and Walmart as well as boots, scarfs, hats, gloves, coats, and socks.
Carriage Town Ministries
Contact: Tamela Rigg, volunteer coordinator, [email protected]
Need(s): Carriage Town has an Amazon Wish List and also needs pillows/pillowcases, scrubs for men and women, disinfectant wipes, cereal, large size personal needs items (deodorant, toothpaste, lotion), coats for men and women (sizes Large, XL, 2XL, 3XL), two televisions for COVID-19 and Triage units.
Catholic Charities of Shiawassee & Genesee Counties
Contact: Theresa Hurley, (810) 232-9950 ext. 710
Need(s): Catholic Charities is in need of monetary donations to continue to provide a hot nutritious meal to hundreds of people daily. Donations can be made on their website. We are also in need of blankets, men's gloves, hats and scarves, and personal care hygiene items.
Center for Higher Educational Achievement
Contact: Dr. Marsay Wells-Strozier, Ed.d, (810) 553-2140
Need(s): CHEA is looking for assistance with bus passes for clients and students.
Crossover Downtown Outreach Ministry
Contact: (810) 234-2479 or [email protected]
Need(s): Crossover provides free emergency food, clothing, personal hygiene, and household items for those in need. The Christmas program provides 100 families with Christmas gifts. This holiday season, people can help Crossover uplift those in need by donating Christmas gifts for our families as well as items such as food, clothing, and more for daily services. Urgent needs can be found on their website at crossoverministryflint.org and Christmas Gift ideas can be found here. Monetary donations are accepted to support programs.
Flint STRIVE
Contact: (810) 232-5661
Need(s): Flint STRIVE needs space heaters, youth coats, computer tablets for youth, tike bikes, and desks for teens.
Food Bank of Eastern Michigan
Contact: (810) 239-4441
Need(s): The Food Bank needs monetary donations to support getting more food into the community. During the pandemic, the Food Bank has more than doubled the amount of food it distributed over the same period last year. Donations can be made online.
Genesee County Free Medical Clinic
Contact: (810) 235-4211
Need(s): Volunteers or donations of food and isolation supplies.
Greater Flint Arts Council
Contact: Greg Fiedler, (810) 238-2787
Need(s): GFAC seeks a donation of a new or used van of any size.
Neighborhood Engagement Hub
Contact: Ashley Everhart, [email protected]
Need(s): Office supplies (especially paper, paper clips, staplers), and desk chairs.
South Flint Soup Kitchen
Contact: (810) 239-3427
Need(s): South Flint Soup Kitchen is currently taking donations for their Christmas Gifts for the Southside Flint Funder Campaign and they also have an Amazon Wishlist to see some of their other needs.
The Disability Network
Contact: (810) 742-1800; Caption Call: (810) 742-7647
Need(s): The Disability Network is expanding virtual programming for seniors and people with disabilities. They have recently launched a COVID-19 response temporary ramp program that gets people out of the hospital and back home to rehabilitate. Donations to these programs can help serve more people in Genesee County.
Voices for Children Advocacy Center
Contact: Claudnyse D. Holloman, Esq., president & CEO, (810) 238-333 ext. 207 or [email protected]
Need(s): The best way to help and support Voices for Children this holiday season is by making a cash donation, which directly supports free critical services for child survivors of abuse, neglect, and human trafficking. Other needs include: paper towels, Clorox wipes, individually packaged snacks (for children), juice boxes, bottled water, Sam's Club/Meijer/Kroger gift cards, batteries (all sizes), copy paper, Swiffer Pads, dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, foaming hand soap (non-white), toilet paper, and tissues.
Well of Hope
Contact: (810) 789-3407
Need(s): People can help Well of Home by filling their outdoor pantries, located at Alma and MLK Boulevard and Monteith and Dougherty streets) with non-perishable items or sending a donation earmarked for them.
Whaley Children’s Center
Contact: (810) 234-3603 or [email protected]
Need(s): Whaley needs body wash, shampoo, ethnic hair care products, pillows, XL twin sheets, comforters, weighted blankets, earbuds, MP3 players, snacks, gift cards to restaurants, and gift cards to grocery stores.