It’s easy to get caught up in the commercial side of the holidays. For that, we thank incessant television advertisements in which people give other people brand-new luxury automobiles for Christmas (where do you find those enormous red bows, anyway?) But you know what? New socks can be a luxury to many this time of year.
That’s why every year at this time, the Insider teams up with Granite United Way in order to assist those in need during the holiday season. With the help of the United Way, we’ve put together this list of local food banks, non-profits and other organizations that take donations for families or other inpiduals who could use a little assistance.
Items being collected include food, gift cards, clothes, personal care items, toys and Christmas gifts – you name it. But whatever you give is sure to make someone’s holiday season a special one.
It doesn’t take much to make a huge difference, and the information provided here should give you everything you need to get started.
Also, bear in mind that this list is not all
-encompassing. If there is a group that you’d like to donate to that isn’t on this list, or if you’d like to volunteer or help out in other ways, contact Granite United Way’s Val Guy at 224-2595 or val.guy@graniteuw.com.
Bow Human Services
10 Grandview Road
Bow, NH 03304
Mission: To assist Bow residents and families when in need.
Service Area: Bow
Categories: Adopt a family/child/adult program: Contact Deb (see below for contact information) for additional information or stop by the Bow Branch of Merrimack County Savings Bank to adopt a child from the giving tree.
Food basket/ food items: Non-Perishable food donations accepted.
Children/Teens: Toys, gifts, clothing: Any size new winter clothing from infant to teen accepted.
Adult gifts: Gloves, socks, warm PJ’s, hooded sweatshirts, personal care items.
Gift Certificates: Grocery store gift cards, gas cards.
Delivery Address: Same as above.
Deadline: December 15
Contact Information:
Deb Bourbeau, 228-1187, ext. 119, admin@bow-nh.gov
Circle Program
P.O. Box 815
Plymouth, NH 03264
Mission: To provide socially and economically disadvantaged girls with opportunities to develop the skills, courage, and confidence they need to handle the challenges in their lives.
Service Area: Twenty-nine towns throughout the Greater Concord, Laconia and Plymouth areas.
Categories: Gift Cards: We would appreciate gift cards for a store such as Wal-Mart. Our Circle Families – who are all low income or below the poverty level – would have the choice of using them for whatever they need most – food or winter clothing.
Delivery Address: Same as above.
Deadline: December 11
Contact Information:
Kathleen Kearns, 536-4244, kathy@circleprogram.org.
Concord Cold Weather Shelter
177 N. Main St.
Concord, NH 03301
Mission: We are an emergency winter shelter which gives anyone over 18 a safe, warm place to stay for the coldest days of the winter.
Service area: Concord.
Categories: Adult gifts: Long underwear for men and women’s, all sizes; hats, mittens,warm socks.
Gift certificates: Gift cards to McDonald’s, Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, Market Basket, Shaws,Hess.
Delivery address: Same as above.
Contact information: Terry Blake, 225-5491, concordshelter@gmail.com.
Concord-Merrimack County SPCA
130 Washington St.
Penacook, NH 03303
Mission: The Concord-Merrimack County SPCA is dedicated to caring for abandoned and homeless pets, protecting and advocating for pets, and promoting the humane treatment of animals.
Service Area: Merrimack County.
Categories: Pet food, pet toys, cleaning supplies and fleece baby blankets.
Delivery Address: Same as above.
Deadline: December 25
Contact Info: Shannon Camara, 753-9801, scamara@concordspca.org.
Crisis Center of Central New Hampshire
P.O. Box 1344
Concord, NH 03302
Mission: As a nonprofit, we provide services to victims/ survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, stalking, and child abuse.
Service Area: Merrimack County.
Categories: Food Basket/ food items: Due to guests receiving food stamps, the cost of holiday food items can be difficult, so donations of all the fixings for a holiday meal would be most appreciative, I.E. turkey, ham and sides.
Children/ Teens: Girl age 5 years, shoe size 11 winter boots, 5-T clothes, winter jacket size 5-T, Barbie dress- up clothes, socks and underwear, girl age 1 year, socks (12-18 months) clothes, 12-18 months, baby shoes size 5, winter jacket 12-18 months, 12-18 month toy, diapers size 4.
Adult Gifts: Women’s (2) winter coats size large, women’s shoes size 8-9, fall boots for women size 8 ½, women’s socks, women’s pj’s size XL, women’s slippers size 8 with rubber soles, gloves, oversized women’s sweaters, pullover style, women’s bras size 40.
Gift Cards: Prepaid phone cards with unlimited texting.
Other: Two a.m./f.m. radios with CD players, a wall clock, 4 picture frames, an outside bird feeder with seeds, a Victoria’s Secret perfume bottle, a necklace with a cross and a paper shredder.
Delivery Address: Please call to make delivery arrangements.
Deadline: December 20th
Contact Information: Kimberly Robinson, 225-7376, kim@cccnh.org.
Fellowship Housing
36 Pleasant St.
Concord, NH 03301
Mission: Fellowship Housing provides decent, safe, affordable housing with support to members of our community who live with mental illness.
Service Area: Concord.
Categories: Food Basket: Our group home will have a holiday dinner and get together on Christmas Day, so any festive types of food are always appreciated to add to this event.
Adult Gifts: As winter approaches, there is always a need for hats, gloves, scarves, coats, and boots for adult men and women. There is also an ongoing need for personal hygiene items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shampoo, etc.
Gift Cards: Gift cards to CVS, Wal-Mart, for haircuts, BAM, local coffee shops, and restaurants (McDonald’s and Dunkin’ Donuts are always a favorite) would help our clients buy food, personal care items, and other things they may not otherwise be able to afford. Gift cards to Market Basket are appreciated due to many of our clients shopping there.
Volunteer Opportunities: We traditionally hold a holiday party between Thanksgiving and Christmas for our residents, tenants and staff. Having a “performer” come in to entertain folks would add a lot to the festivities! Perhaps a magician, musician, etc.
Delivery Address: Same as above.
Deadline: December 25
Contact Information: Ashlyn Rouse, 225-1767, arouse@fellowshiphousing.org.
Friends Program
202 N. State St.
Concord, NH 03301
Mission: Friends Youth Mentoring Program introduces screened and trained volunteers as mentors to school-aged youth to share their time and talent developing a positive relationship.
Service Area: Merrimack County.
Categories: Adopt a Family: Contact program contact for opportunity to sponsor for holiday wishes. Donor will be provided a case sheet with identifying information.
Delivery Address: Same as above.
Deadline: December 16
Contact Information:
Cindy Yanski, 228-1193, ext. 210, cyanski@friendsprogram.org.
Lutheran Social Services
261 Sheep Davis Road, Suite A-1
Concord, NH 03301
Mission: Coming alongside newly arrived refugees to see them become fully contributing New Americans in the United States.
Service Area: Laconia, Concord and Nashua.
Categories: Adopt a family: Provide a Christmas tree and some decorations for a new refugee family and help them set it up and decorate for the first time!
Children/ Teens: Bicycles, sports balls, dolls, electronic games, stuffed animals. Diapers – all sizes.
Adult Gifts: Adult boots sizes 8-10 (women’s) and sizes 9-11 (mens). Baby strollers, pre-paid Trac-Phones, adult medium size sweaters (male and female), toiletries – shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, and toothbrush.
Gift Cards: Wal-Mart, Shaws, Market Basket, Target, CAT bus tickets.
Other requests: Christmas trees and holiday decorations.
Delivery Address: Same as above.
Deadline: December 16
Contact Information: Beth Seremet, 410-3115, bseremet@lssne.org.
Merrimack Valley Day Care
19 N. Fruit St.
Concord, NH 03301
Mission: To provide affordable, quality child care, health and special needs support and an active day of care and learning to children in the community.
Service Area: Concord, Boscawen and surrounding towns.
Categories: Adopt a family: Children’s clothing for a boy and girl sizes ranging from two T to size 7 girls. Toy cars, a ball, a warm outfit and older girl books and games would be great.
Children/ Teens: We care for children ages 3 months to 12 years. Warm clothing and age appropriate games, toys and books are always great.
Adult Gifts: Parents appreciate warm sweaters, hats, gloves and gift cards for gas and food.
Gift Cards: Most of our parents shop at one of the Market Baskets in the Concord area and really appreciate gift cards from there. Gasoline gift cards are also greatly appreciated.
Delivery Address: Same as above.
Deadline: December 20
Contact Information: Shawn Taylor, 224-1632, sdt1999@yahoo.com.
New Hampshire Association for the Blind
25 Walker St.
Concord, NH 03301
Mission: Statewide non-profit organization that provides vision rehabilitation services. Our mission is to advance the independence of person who are blind or visually impaired.
Service Area: All counties of New Hampshire in inpidual homes, schools, retirement communities, health fairs, etc.
Categories: Gifts by check or cash would be used to purchase assistive aids and devices that are required by so many of our visually impaired or blind clients. For example, a white cane at $40, a hand-held magnifier at $50, a talking compass at $70, a money reader at $100 or a voice labeling system at $150. A donation of any amount is appreciated.
Delivery Address: Same as above.
Deadline: December 25
Contact Information: Marcia Clark, 224-4039, mclark@sightcenter.org.
Penacook Community Center
76 Community Drive
Penacook, NH 03303
Mission: Established in 1948 with a mission of providing citizens of Penacook and surrounding towns opportunities to promote, develop, and maintain social, educational, and recreational activities.
Service Area: Boscawen, Canterbury, Concord, Franklin, Loudon, Penacook, Salisbury, Webster.
Categories: Children/ Teens: Toys for children ages 2-5 years old.
Adults: Grocery store gift cards for seniors in need.
Gift Cards: Gas cards and grocery store gift cards for families in need.
Delivery Address: same as above.
Deadline: December 19
Contact Information: Deb Cuddahy, 753-9700, debc@penacookcommunitycenter.org.
Pittsfield Area Senior Center
74 Main St.
Pittsfield, NH 03263
Mission: The Senior Center promotes independence and well-being for seniors through social, recreational, educational and exercise opportunities.
Service Area: Barnstead, Chichester, Epsom, Loudon and Pittsfield.
Categories: Adult Gifts: Night lights to help prevent falls at night. Backgammon and Scrabble (and similar games) for the center’s game cupboard.
Delivery Address: Same as above.
Deadline: December 20
Contact Information: Leslie Vogt, 435-8482, lvogt@bm-cap.org.
Rise Again Outreach
34 Staniels Road, Suite 5
Loudon, NH 03307
Mission: Rise Again Outreach’s Mobile Mission buses bring food, clothing, and personal care items to the homeless, refugees, working poor and those in crisis.
Service Area: Loudon, Manchester, Concord, Franklin, Laconia and Pittsfield.
Categories: Adult Gifts: We accept all washed or new clothing for adults and children.
We are in need of shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hand warmers, hand sanitizer, soap, washcloths and razors/shaving cream.
Delivery Address: Same as above.
Deadline: December 25
Contact Information: Lorinda Gilbert, ext. 710, lorinda@riseagainoutreach.org.
Riverbend Community Mental Health, Children’s Program
103 Loudon Road, No. 3
Concord, NH 03301
Mission: Riverbend is the largest provider of specialized psychiatric and mental health services in central New Hampshire, serving nearly 8,000 children, family and adults annually.
Service Area: All of the towns in Merrimack County except Hooksett; plus Hillsboro, Deering, Weare and Windsor.
Categories: Children/ Teens: Children, ages 7-17 need warm boots, hats, mittens, gloves and winter jackets. More than 100 children are in need, so a large variety of sizes can be accommodated. Our children’s program staff works directly with 90 families whose financial resources are extremely thin. Practical items, including school supplies and backpacks, help these children get on track and feel accepted by their peers. Sports equipment is also welcomed, as it is used by community outreach workers to help integrate young at-risk children with their peers and help them develop their social skills.
Delivery Address: Same as above.
Deadline: December 24
Contact Information: Martha Clark, 226-7516, ext. 4002, mclark@riverbendcmhc.org.
Riverbend Community Mental Health, Twitchell House
111 Pleasant St.
Concord, NH 03301
Mission: Riverbend is the largest provider of specialized psychiatric and mental health services in central New Hampshire, serving nearly 8,000 children, family and adults annually.
Service Area: All of the towns in Merrimack County except Hooksett; plus Hillsboro, Deering, Weare and Windsor.
Categories: Adult Gifts: Personal hygiene items needed by the adult and elder population in our residential department include such items for inpiduals as shampoo, conditioner, body soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, disposable razors, and shaving cream. Clothing items needed: Men’s socks.
Delivery Address: Same as above.
Deadline: December 24
Contact Information: Annemarie Dunn, 226-7547, ext. 3005, adunn@riverbendcmhc.org.
Riverbend Community Mental Health, Community Support Program
40 Pleasant St.
Concord, NH 03301
Mission: Riverbend is the largest provider of specialized psychiatric and mental health services in central New Hampshire, serving nearly 8,000 children, family and adults annually.
Service Area: All of the towns in Merrimack County except Hooksett; plus Hillsboro, Deering, Weare and Windsor.
Categories: Gift Cards: Gift cards for gas are used by adults in our vocational program for job interviews and to get to and from work sites. Our consumers have recently expressed a need to have 3-ring binders, file folders, and yearly planning calendars to better organize their time.
Delivery Address: Same as above.
Deadline: December 24
Contact Information: Jim Quinn, 226-7567, ext. 4580, jquinn@riverbendcmhc.org.
St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry
5 N. Main St.
Concord, NH 03301
Mission: Provides food and non-food items to households in need from the Greater Concord area.
Service Area: Greater Concord – 28 communities.
Categories: Food Basket: Food baskets are provided to about 325 households/1150 inpiduals (including the homeless) and the need remains high, as was true in 2012. We are continuing to see a large number of blended families and homeless (inpiduals and families). Items needed include peanut butter, jelly, fruit juice, spaghetti and sauce, canned soup, canned vegetables and fruit, beef stew, tuna fish, pork and beans, and oatmeal cereal.
Delivery Address: Same as above.
Deadline: December 20
Contact Information: George Weber, 225-0108, ga-mi-weber@comcast.net.
The Friendly Kitchen
P.O. Box 273
Concord, NH 03301
Mission: The Friendly Kitchen provides meals for the hungry in a warm and caring, non-discriminating environment.
Service Area: Concord.
Categories: Adopt a family: We will be giving each of our guests a gift bag of gloves, hat, and socks. Your donation of new Thinsulate gloves, fleece hats and warm socks would be greatly appreciated.
Food Basket: Coffee, hot chocolate, powdered drink mixes, canned vegetables, and canned fruits.
Gift Cards: Grocery store gift cards.
Delivery Address: 2 S. Commercial St., Concord, N.H. 03301.
Deadline: December 18
Contact Information: Jennifer Lombardo, 224-7678, jenn@thefriendlykitchen.org.
The Salvation Army/ McKenna House
100 Fruit Street
Concord, NH 03301
Mission: The Salvation Army/McKenna House is a homeless shelter where residents have a warm bed, three meals a day, toiletries, laundry services, and case management.
Service Area: Statewide.
Categories: Food Basket: We provide three meals a day for 28 men and women. We are always in need of perishable items such as milk, eggs, meat.
Adult Gifts: Men’s boxer shorts (medium, large, X-large), socks, and sneakers (size 10-12).
Gift Cards: Wal-Mart gift cards are extremely helpful. We have a lot of larger residents and finding clothing at the Family Store is very difficult.
Delivery Address: Same as above.
Deadline: December 24
Contact Information: Lorrie Dale, 228-3505, lorrie_dale@use.salvationarmy.org.
United Church of Penacook, Food Pantry
21 Merrimack St.
Penacook, NH 03303
Mission: To supplement patrons’ food resources in time of need.
Service Area: Penacook.
Categories: Food Basket: During the holidays, children are home from school and miss their in-school nutritional breakfasts and/or lunches. Any non-perishable food suitable for families with children is welcomed.
Delivery Address: Same as above.
Deadline: December 23
Contact Information: Lynne Raleigh, 753-9246, lcrdesigned@msn.com.
West Congregational Church
499 N. State St.
Concord, NH 03301
Mission: Distribution of 20 – 25 Thanksgiving baskets.
Service Area: Concord, West Concord.
Categories: Food Basket: Eggs, butter, canned vegetables, canned pumpkin, cranberry sauce, gravy, potatoes, butternut squash, 3 lb. bag onions, rolls, stuffing mix, pie crust, pie crust mix, foil pans, paper towels, napkins, laundry basket to hold everything in. We should have turkeys donated. Sign-up list available on wall inside Hutchins Street entrance of Tenney Roper Hall at the West Congregational Church.
Children/ Teens: We will have 45 gift tags hanging on a tree by Nov. 17. Please feel free to swing by on Sunday and pick up a tag. Gifts are due back to us by Dec. 8.
Delivery Address: Same as above.
Deadline: November 24 for Thanksgiving baskets and December 8 for Holiday gifts.
Contact Information: Pastor Amanda Wagner or Patti Burwen, 591-7036 or 224-4142, angel75791@aol.com.
Community Action Program – WIC
2 Industrial Park Drive
Concord, NH 03301
Mission: To safeguard low-income women, infants, and children who are at risk by providing nutritious foods, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.
Service Area: Merrimack County.
Categories: Children/ Teens: Hats and mittens for children 5 years and younger (including newborn babies).
Delivery Address: Same as above.
Deadline: December 25
Contact Information: Judy Alaire, 225-2050, jalarie@bm-cap.org.
