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Holiday Giving Opportunities

The Office of Community Engagement encourages the campus community to consider sharing with our neighbors in the City of Syracuse and the surrounding Central New York region this holiday season. Gifts of funds, items and time can make a difference in the lives of our neighbors, many of whom are in need this year. Here are the ways individuals, departments or schools and colleges can help:

Local Nonprofit Organizations

People’s Equal Action and Community Effort, Inc. is a nonprofit, community-based organization that serves nearly 10,000 clients in Syracuse, Onondaga County, and portions of Oswego County with the mission of helping people in the community realize their potential for becoming self-sufficient.

Give-A-Holiday

  • This program offers individuals and groups the opportunity to brighten up the holidays for families in need by supplying gifts during the holiday season in the form of a gift basket or a monetary donation. Syracuse University employees can register by completing this form. PEACE, Inc. will be picking up baskets at Syracuse University on Dec. 16 from 9-10 a.m. and from 1:15–2:15 p.m. If you’re unable to drop off your gifts on campus, we invite you to visit the PEACE, Inc. Eastwood Community Center during the following times:
    • Friday, Dec. 13: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
    • Monday, Dec. 16: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • Monetary donations can also be made online on the PEACE, Inc. website.

For more information or questions, please contact PEACE, Inc. at 315.634.3740 or giveaholiday@peace-caa.org.

The Salvation Army of the Syracuse Area is a nonprofit organization dedicated to meeting human needs without discrimination and encouraging and empowering those in need to reach their full potential. Each year, The Salvation Army of Syracuse helps provide Christmas food and toys to nearly 10,000 people with the help of dozens of community partners.

Holiday Programs

  • Gifts for Teens: Each year, more than 1,200 teens receive a gift at The Salvation Army's Christmas Bureau, and you can help by donating to provide a gift for a teen (ages 13-18) that ensures that everyone can experience the magic of the holidays. To support this goal, The Hayner Hoyt Corporation has generously agreed to match all donations up to $25,000.
  • Ringing a Bell: From the beginning of November through Christmas Eve, you will find 24 Red Kettles across Onondaga County. Want to help ring the bell? Sign up now, as an individual or as a group at Register to Ring.
  • Hold a Toy Drive, Food Drive, or Angel Tree Drive: Support the Christmas Bureau by holding a toy drive, food drive, or Angel Tree Drive with your organization. Unwrapped toys and food collected for the Christmas Bureau can be delivered to the Oncenter (Montgomery Street Entrance) at Community Drop-Off Day, Friday December 13 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Volunteers will be available to remove donations from your car, so simply drive up and wait for assistance! To learn more, email Alison at alison.lovuolo@use.salvationarmy.org.
  • Monetary donations can also be made online on The Salvation Army website.

For additional information or questions, please contact Deanna Delmonico at 315.479.1162 or deanna.delmonico@use.salvationarmy.org.

Samaritan Center is a nonprofit organization of community members committed to serving the hungry and those in need in order to promote their welfare, dignity and self-sufficiency. For over 41 years, Samaritan Center has worked to fight hunger in the greater Syracuse community by providing nutritious hot meals to anyone in need 7 days a week – no questions asked. Paired with these meals is the case management support and access to services that help our guests move on to a more positive future.

How You Can Help

  • Volunteer: Be a part of an awesome team of volunteers and give back while having a great time! Submit an application to volunteer or contact Amy at volunteer@samcenter.org to learn more.
  • Donate: Every gift helps someone in need. Credit card donations can be made on the Samaritan Center's website or checks can be sent to 215 North State St., Syracuse, NY 13203
  • Collect items from the Basic Needs Flyer or Wishlist to help provide guests with the dignity of self-care. Items needed include soap, shampoo, handwarmers and lip balm as well as new or gently used winter coats, hats, gloves and scarves. Contact casemanagement@samcenter.org to learn what else is most needed!
  • Put together a My Place Box to help make a house a home for someone transitioning from shelter or inadequate housing. Contact casemanagement@samcenter.org for more information.

InterFaith Works is a nonprofit organization that provides services to address the needs of people who are vulnerable, low-income, targets of oppression, and refugees who arrive through the federal refugee resettlement programs, fleeing war, political repression, and famine. InterFaith Works also works to address the needs of the frail or elderly, those in prisons, hospitals, and nursing homes, and to address hunger and housing needs.

Gift Basket Initiative

In fiscal year 2024, InterFaith Works has resettled 1,015 refugees. They are organizing as End of Year Gift Baskets initiative, asking donors to create a gift basket that will be given to families they serve. Some ideas for the baskets with categories of items include:

  • Gift cards: $20 or more to Walmart, Target or Tops
  • Food items: Honey, jam, crackers, hot chocolate, sweets, chocolates, candies, Tea, cookies, or graham crackers
  • Warm items: Gender neutral scarves/hats, warm socks/gloves, throw blankets
  • Personal/household items: Disposable razors, lotion, shaving cream, key chains, water bottles, laundry baskets, detergent, cutting boards, dish towels, towel sets
  • Fun items: Board games, cards, new toys

This basket list form can be used to document the items being donated and should be included with the basket. All baskets must be delivered to the InterFaith Works offices located at 1010 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13203 by Friday, December 13 at 4 p.m. For more information, contact Rhonda Butler at 315-449-3552 ext. 127 or rbutler@ifwcny.org.

Since 1887, the Rescue Mission Alliance has put love into action through food, shelter, clothing, and hope. They operate programs in Syracuse, Auburn, and Binghamton, tailored to meet the needs of each community. Among the services they offer are emergency shelter, meals, supportive permanent housing, employment resources, and spiritual care. In all of their locations, case managers help guests develop individual plans and connect with the support they need to leave homelessness and hunger behind.

How You Can Help

  • Donate financially: Put Your Love into Action with a financial gift to the Rescue Mission. 100% of your gift stays local. All contributions support our neighbors in need served by our programs in Syracuse, Binghamton, and Auburn.
  • Donate supplies: In addition to food and shelter, Rescue Mission guests are often in need of basic hygiene items, clothing, and undergarments. You can also purchase items from their Amazon Wishlist.
  • Volunteer: Whether you want to give just a few hours or are looking for long-term involvement, whatever your skills and interests, there are many opportunities to help the Rescue Mission! There are many event opportunities to volunteer with the Rescue Mission.

United Way of Central New York, Inc., is an innovative and collaborative local nonprofit organization that drives solutions to the most pressing human service community needs of Central New York.

CNY Care Package Project

  • United Way of Central New York’s CNY Care Package Project drive is now underway! Last year, this project collected enough donations to create 850 care packages. United Way needs your help to reach their 2024 goal of 1,000 Care Packages for people in need in our community. Supporters are encouraged to get involved by purchasing and donating personal care items at Syracuse area Wegmans stores, via an Amazon wish list, or by making a monetary donation at www.cnycarepackage.com.

The Coach Mac Food Pantry of Hendricks Chapel supports Syracuse University students by providing access to fresh and shelf-stable goods as well as personal care items. The pantry receives anywhere from 100-250 student visitors per week. There are currently two food pantries on campus, directly across from the dean’s suite in Hendricks Chapel and on South Campus. Both pantries rely on monetary and food donations. Monetary donations are used to buy items like fresh produce, protein bars, soups, pasta, snacks and personal hygiene items.

Hendricks Chapel relies on generous donations from the Syracuse University community to stock the food pantry. Ways to support the food pantry include:

  • Donating food or personal care items: Physical donations may be dropped off at the Hendricks Chapel Dean’s suite. Items may also be ordered through our Amazon Wish List, which ships items directly to the pantry.
  • Donating financially: All are encouraged to donate to the Coach Mac Food Pantry Support Fund. If you are a campus partner, Hendricks Chapel is now able to accept fund transfers to a Food Pantry operational account. Please reach out to the Chapel Budget Manager, Maureen Verone at mverone@syr.edu to administer a journal entry. Your donations are most welcome and appreciated.
  • Holding a food and toiletry drive: Student groups, residence hall floors, offices and departments can hold food and toiletry drives to benefit the food pantry. Email Alison Murray at acmurray@syr.edu to learn how you can “Adopt-A-Month” for the pantry!
  • Volunteering at the food pantry: Volunteers are needed to stock and organize the pantry, assist with fresh produce deliveries on Fridays and answer questions for visitors. Please email Alison Murray at acmurray@syr.edu if you are interested in volunteering.
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