Be the Change You Wish to See Charitable Giving Guide 2023

Let’s help make the holidays magical for everyone! This is the season of giving to those who are less fortunate. There are many agencies and organizations that help the needy in Greater Flint and surrounding communities during the holidays. These local groups can use your donation and your generosity can make the season just a little brighter.

Carriage Town Ministries

“Those who desire to help can support with financial gifts to help provide food, shelter and clothing to homeless residents or Adopt-a-Family for Christmas,” reports Executive Director Dallas Gatlin. “You can also help by providing new or gently-used clothing or in-kind food supplies. Finally, you can explore volunteering at Carriage Town.”

Find information at carriagetown.org or call 810.233.8787. To make a monetary donation during the holidays, please make your check payable to Carriage Town Ministries and mail to: P.O. Box 318, Flint 48501-0318.

Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities provides a bevy of services to those in need during the holiday season. You can help in their purpose making donations or by volunteering this season. Visit catholiccharitiesflint.org or email givehope@ccsgc.org for more information.

You can make a monetary or Wish List donation at one of these three locations:

Catholic Charities of Genesee County

901 Chippewa St., Flint 48503

Catholic Charities of Shiawassee County

1480 M-52, Owosso 48867

North End Soup Kitchen

Catholic Charities North End Soup Kitchen is open on Christmas so that no one has to go without a Christmas feast! All children receive a new toy and clothes, and all adults receive new towels, socks, scarves, hats and personal hygiene kits. Your support helps make Christmas special for so many.

Volunteers are welcome to help on Christmas Day or other days in the holiday season. Individuals, groups and families can schedule volunteer time by calling 810.785.6911.

Old Newsboys of Flint

The Old Newsboys of Flint’s Christmas Program is designed to be a safety net to provide gifts for children who might otherwise go without. This organization is best known for its Christmas Box Program, benefitting kids who are low-income or suffer from special circumstances. Once qualified, he or she receives a sweat suit, socks, underclothes, a hat and pair of warm gloves, dental hygiene products and a new, age-appropriate gift. Every $20 donation sponsors one child. New for 2023, sweatshirt/shirt orders will be done online and shipped directly to you. For more information, visit onbflint.org or call 810.744.1840.

The Salvation Army Flint Citadel Corps

This Christian faith-based group provides a free Christmas assistance program for low-income and needy individuals who would otherwise not be able to celebrate the holidays. There is free food, toys from Adopt-a-Family, gifts, meals and more. You can help with a donation at centralusa.salvationarmy.org/flintcitadel/ or by volunteering as a bell-ringer for the holiday season. Sign up for an open shift at registertoring.com. For more info, call 810.232.2196.

Shelter of Flint, Inc.

Residents of the emergency shelter and those experiencing homelessness have a variety of needs including personal care items (deodorant, shampoo, etc.), towels, baby strollers and carseats, pillows, clothing, diapers, blankets, coats and more. To access an online list of needed items, please visit shelterofflint.org/donate/

The Shelter accepts gifts throughout the holiday season – monetary donations are always gratefully accepted. For more info, call 810.715.9201 ext.306.

Toys for Tots Genesee County

Coordinated locally by Vicki Muckenthaler, the program has many generous corporate sponsors and donors who contribute and help raise monetary donations, toys and program awareness. Give a toy and make a child’s Christmas a remarkable one. Your support helps millions of the less fortunate. To donate, visit Flint-Mi.ToysForTots.org. For a list of toy drop-off locations, click on the “Donate a Toy” box on the website. For more info, please call 810.715.4401.

United Way of Genesee County

The Volunteer Center coordinates the Holiday Wish List effort of several organizations that help people in the community. The Wish List is a compilation of non-monetary needs of nonprofits in Genesee and Shiawassee Counties, and provides donors with the opportunity to give their treasures to organizations that help meet community needs. To help an agency, visit unitedwaygenesee.org or call 810.232.8121.

Volunteers of America

Heart of the Holidays is the VOA holiday assistance program that supports children by providing toys, clothing and something else equally essential – hope! Families who are currently enrolled in programs with partnering organizations will be considered for Heart of the Holidays, as well as seniors and veterans currently enrolled in Volunteers of America Michigan’s programs and services. Donate online at voami.org/holidays. For more info, call 810.223.0420.

Whaley Children’s Center

At Christmastime, there are a variety of ways to participate at the Center: host a party, donate gift cards, or sponsor a child. Each year, the organization asks that a child’s Christmas sponsor provide: two items from the child’s wish list, two items from the child’s clothing list, socks, underwear, a set of pajamas, and gift boxes. To sponsor a child, please contact Denise at DZerka@WhaleyChildren.org or call 810.234.3603.