44 NOVEMBER 2023 By Shi Bradley The holidays can be stressful and disheartening for many people, as some struggle to afford gifts, clothing and food. Charities and food banks are dealing with massive shortages and significant demand for goods and services. Several area churches and nonprofits are holding donation drives and offering volunteer opportunities through the next few months. Here are 13 places where folks can get involved and help out. ARIZONA HELPING HANDS 3110 E. Thunderbird Road, Phoenix azhelpinghands.org Arizona Helping Hands provides cribs, beds, linens, clothing, diapers, personal hygiene kits and educational activities to children. Hope for the Holidays Toy Drive delivers gifts to foster kids. People can donate online or hold their own drive to collect new toys, such as remote control cars, sports equipment, arts and crafts and STEM-based toys. On November 27 and 28, AZ Helping Hands will partner with Desert Farm Lights; on November 30, they will partner with The Pratt Brother’s Christmas and on December 8, with M3F Music Festival to collect donations. CAMELBACK CHURCH OF CHRIST 5225 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix camelbackchurchofchrist.org Camelback Church of Christ is conducting a “Share the Warmth” Drive for the Navajo Reservation in Kayenta. Donate new and gently used coats, sweaters, jackets, gloves, hats, socks and blankets. CHRIST CHILD SOCIETY OF PHOENIX 4633 N. 54th St., Phoenix christchildphx.org Christ Child Society of Phoenix is an all- volunteer organization that works out of Mt. Claret. This year, they are hosting a Christmas Giving Toy Drive for Catholic Charities, who are in need of gifts for 200 children (ages 3-15) in foster care. Gifts should be labeled but not wrapped. For ages 10+, they are asking for Target or Walmart gift cards for $20-$25. Gifts can be dropped off at Mt. Claret on December 7 from 9-10:30 a.m. CHRIST CHURCH LUTHERAN 3901 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix cclphoenix.org Christ Church Lutheran has several volunteer opportunities, but the most needed are for the mobile food pantry on Wednesdays from 5-8 p.m. CCL is looking for volunteers and donations of dry, canned or non-perishable foods. Monetary donations are also accepted and go toward food purchases. GADZOOKS 4031 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix gadzooksaz.com November 6 is National Nacho Day, but Gadzooks is extending that celebration all month long with the third-annual Nachopalooza, which will benefit HonorHealth Foundation’s K-9 Security Program. Throughout the month of November, 25 percent of every nacho entrée sold will go directly to the K-9 Security Program at HonorHealth Foundation. NOURISH PHX 501 S. 9th Ave., Phoenix nourishphx.org Nourish PHX offers several volunteer opportunities, including food boxing, helping individuals pick out clothing, and providing general assistance to those in need. Volunteer slots are available in November and December. Nourish is looking for donations of produce, canned and dry foods, clothing, shoes, hygiene products, toiletries, garbage bags and grocery bags. PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 3641 N. 56th St., Phoenix popphoenix.org Prince of Peace offers service opportunities as part of the POP Foundation, a nonprofit that targets church and community needs. Events include a food pantry, annual toy and food drives, and the Angel Tree. In December, a tree in the church lobby will be decorated with ornaments designating an angel in need of a Christmas gift, and people have the opportunity to adopt an angel. There are also opportunities for volunteer ministers, and folks can donate non-perishables to the food pantry. PARADISE VALLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 4455 E. Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley pvumc.org PVUMC has volunteer opportunities for the holidays and beyond, including assisting ministers, helping in the music department and driving and serving on the Connections team, which includes duties like greeting churchgoers, ushering, and clean up. They also accept donations, which are then given to various charitable organizations. SAVING AMY 3117 N. 44th St., Phoenix savingamy.org Throughout November, Saving Amy will host a hygiene and cleaning supply donation drive. Donations will be accepted Mondays and Fridays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS CHURCH 5524 E. Lafayette Blvd., Phoenix sohucc.org Shepherd of the Hills Church is partnering with Nourish PHX for a holiday toy drive. Folks can donate gift wrap and bags, toys, stuffed animals, athletic gear, new kids’ clothing, makeup, jewelry, etc. All gifts should be unwrapped. “Last year, thanks to many amazing partners, we provided over 400 children with gifts,” manager Robby Wood shared. “This year, we’re shooting for 500.” Donations are accepted until December 8. Drop off at the church office every day from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. ST. STEPHEN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2310 N. 56th St., Phoenix ststephens.org St. Stephen’s is hosting a Thanksgiving Food Drive until November 5. The church is looking for monetary donations toward Walmart gift cards, canned foods like corn or cranberry sauce, applesauce, pumpkin pie filling, stuffing mix and mashed potatoes. Donations will be distributed on November 15. St. Stephen’s also hosts a food bank every Wednesday from 9 a.m.-noon. Donated items can be left in the lobby during office hours, Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL stvincentdepaul.net St. Vincent de Paul serves 4,000 daily meals through five charity dining rooms and has helped 2,400 households avoid eviction with homelessness prevention programs. The Turkey Tuesday Campaign runs throughout November and helps provide meals for families in need. A $20 donation buys one turkey. Donations are accepted online, or at Bashas’ or AJ’s Fine Foods locations on November 21 (to donate in person). Folks can also volunteer to serve meals or sort donations. U.S. EGG Various locations useggrestaurant.com U.S. Egg is partnering with Arizona Helping Hands this November for its annual toy and pajama drive benefitting boys and girls in foster care. For the month of November, all six Valley U.S. Egg locations will collect new toys, pajamas, socks, diapers and hygiene items that will be donated to Arizona Helping Hands. How you can help others this holiday season U.S. Egg and Helping Hands are hosting a toy and pajama drive for boys and girls in foster care. PHOTO COURTESY OF AMBER GODBEHERE Religious Instruction • Strong Academics • Cutting Edge Technology • Service Learning Leadership Programs • PE and Interscholastic Sports • Instrumental and Vocal Music “Arts Attack” Program • School Nurse • Bus Transportation Available SERVICE IS IMPORTANT TO OUR JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS! 3901 East Indian School Road • 602-957-7010 • www.clsphx.org CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Christian Values. Quality Education. Preschool through Grade 8