KENTUCKY — In a year marked by a deadly pandemic, unprecedented job loss, and serious disruption to daily life, you might be feeling an itch to give back this holiday season.
During this time of year, food banks would usually be stuffed with people, and the Salvation Army’s red kettles would be overflowing with Kentuckians’ loose change. While 2020 may look different with COVID-19, there are still a number of ways you and your family can get into the spirit.
We’ve compiled some of the opportunities available in Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, and Northern Kentucky.
Catholic Charities of Louisville, Inc.
If you want to add another few people to your holiday shopping list, Catholic Charities of Louisville is looking for donors to supplement their Christmas gifts for families and individuals served through the charity. They’re also looking for volunteers to sort, organize, and prepare the gifts.
Have an extra turkey or ham? St. Vincent de Paul wants it. While their usual volunteer activities have been scratched this year, you can still donate a turkey or ham for their holiday meals that will be prepared to-go.
SeniorCare Experts is hosting its annual “Fill Santa’s Sleigh” food drive through Dec. 11 with the goal of serving 100 needy households. You can drop off any of the food products listed on their website, or you can volunteer to deliver prepared boxes.
The Nest’s “Reindeer Express” provides families with toys, books, supplies, coats and more to gift their children under the age of five. The Nest is looking for unwrapped, new toys and new winter wear that can either be dropped off or sent via Amazon. They also take monetary donations.
Lexington Rescue Mission is looking for volunteers to deliver Thanksgiving dinners. If you prefer to remain at home, you can donate $2.16 to provide one meal, or you can provide the food needed to make the meals by ordering off their Amazon wishlist.
The Diana Ross Winter Care Coat Drive
The Fayette County Sheriff's Office has kicked off its 8th Annual Diana Ross Winter Care Coat Drive, named after domestic violence victim advocate Diana Ross. You can drop off new and gently used coats at several locations in addition to the Office of the Fayette County Sheriff through Dec. 31.
Hope House's "Affordable Christmas" gives low-income families the opportunity to purchase affordable toys for children. The organization is collecting new toys and/or monetary donations to purchase the gifts, which are marked down to 1/10 of the retail price. You can also volunteer to help out in a number of other ways during "Affordable Christmas."
The Bowling Green Junior Women's Club is hosting its Coats for Kids drive which is accepting new and gently used coats. The coats can be dropped off at multiple locations across Bowling Green. You can also purchase a $20 kids T-shirt from Chaney's Dairy Barn, with all proceeds going toward purchasing new coats.
Toys for Tots Southern Kentucky
Toys for Tots Southern Kentucky is taking donations of toys in addition to monetary donations. The organization is hosting a toy drive Saturday, Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or you can donate online at any time.
Brighton Center, like many other agencies, is adapting due to COVID-19. Their holiday adopt-a-child program is accepting donations via an Amazon wishlist. Gifts will be delivered to the Brighton Center and given to a family.
Welcome House is providing multiple options for those who want to give back. You can adopt-a-family, host a giving tree, donate craft supplies, or organize donations.
You can help keep your fellow Kentuckians warm this season by donating a new or gently used coat to St. Vincent de Paul. They are accepting donations at a variety of locations, in addition to monetary donations.