30 NOVEMBER 2024 By Mallory Gleich and Tiffany Gonzalez The spirit of giving inspires individuals and communities to come together to support those in need. Arizona nonprofits are gearing up for donation drives that offer a platform for people to contribute, providing essential food, water, toys and more to underserved populations while fostering community and purpose. Below are eight Valley organizations where folks can get involved and help out. PHOENIX RESCUE MISSION 2515 N. 34th Dr., Phoenix phoenixrescuemission.org Phoenix Rescue Mission is hosting various opportunities this season that include donations of nonperishable food and hygiene items as well as volunteer opportunities for its Thanksgiving Fill- A-Bag event. Frozen Turkey Week takes place November 11-16 at Hope for Hunger Food Bank (5605 N. 55th Ave., Glendale) with a goal to collect 1,500 frozen turkeys. PRM is also hosting a Thanksgiving drive- through event on November 23 at Sullivan Elementary (2 N. 31st Ave., Phoenix). This year, the nonprofit is hoping to fill 500 Thanksgiving-specific bags with turkeys, stuffing, cranberry, pumpkin pie and more by November 13 for their Food Bag Distribution event on November 16. They are serving families with an average of five to eight people. THE FOSTER ALLIANCE 3110 E. Thunderbird Road, Phoenix thefosteralliance.org The Foster Alliance will be hosting four events this holiday season. The annual Fill Santa’s Sleigh on December 5 is a drive- through style event where people can drop off a gift, grab some hot chocolate and meet Santa. On December 7, Scottsdale Quarter will host a toy drive that also includes a free concert, hot chocolate and holiday characters. There will also be a pop-up drive at the Cardinal vs. Seahawks game on December 8. Each event culminates in the Holiday Joy Fest on December 12 where foster parents can pick up gifts for the kids in their care. DESERT MISSION FOOD BANK 9229 N. Fourth St., Phoenix desertmission.com Desert Mission’s 2024 Walk-up Turkey Distribution happens on November 23. Donations of nonperishable food items are accepted, and for Thanksgiving, donations of frozen turkeys, potatoes, stuffing, rice, canned vegetables and bottled water are welcome. The food bank is open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday-Thursday. Volunteer opportunities are also available. TEMPE COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY 2146 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe tempeaction.org TCAA is accepting both perishable and non-perishable food donations for its upcoming holiday meal food drive. The organization is also looking for games and activities to donate to families, such as puzzles, books, coloring books, card and board games and holiday cookie kits. Drop- offs are welcomed November 13 from 1-5 p.m. and November 16 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. OCJ KIDS 21630 N. 9th Ave., Phoenix ocjkids.org OCJ Kids is in need of volunteers for its One Bright Star event on December 14 and 15, which includes activities, snacks, a chance to meet Santa and a gift for each child that attends. For those that would like to donate, the nonprofit is looking for gift cards, art kits, sports equipment, clock radios or CD players, journals, hygiene items and more for 12-18 year-olds, and seasonal toys, Barbies, action figures, puzzles and learning toys for ages 5-11. Learn more about volunteer dates on the website. PHOENIX CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION 1919 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix phoenixchildrens.org This year, the Phoenix Children’s Community Toy Drive takes place on December 6-15. While they are continuing their donations of toys for infants and toddlers, the organization is also accepting gift cards in denominations of $10 or $25 to Amazon, Walmart, Target, Starbucks and more. The teen wish list includes puzzles, sports equipment, clothing items and school supplies. All donated items should be taken to Rosenberg Children’s Medical Plaza (1920 E. Cambridge Ave., Phoenix) between 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on weekdays or 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on weekends. NOURISH PHX 501 S. 9th Ave., Phoenix nourishphx.org Nourish’s holiday food drive is looking for donations of gravy, stuffing, mac and cheese, canned fruit and vegetables, bread mixes, instant potatoes, beans and rice, dessert mixes, low-sugar cereal, whole grain crackers, granola bars and apple juice or cider. Nourish is also hosting a toy drive through December 6. Options are to “adopt” a child and shop their holiday wish list, donate gift cards or donate the following: gift wrap and bags, new kids clothing, makeup, sports equipment, building sets, hygiene items, etc. Gifts should be donated to the office unwrapped. ST. VINCENT DE PAUL 420 W. Watkins St., Phoenix stvincentdepaul.net This year’s campaign is open until Thanksgiving Day, November 28. While St. Vincent accepts food donations for their food bank, the nonprofit is asking for $50 monetary donations to provide holiday food boxes to families in need. During Christmas, St. Vincent will host an Adopt-a-Family campaign where sponsors are matched with a family. The sponsor should buy and wrap at least two new presents (one toy and one clothing item) for each young child under 16, one present for each older sibling, and one present to each parent and/or grandparent living in the same household, plus a gift card to the family’s grocery store of choice so they can purchase a holiday meal. How you can help others this holiday season (left) Boys Team Charity helped Nourish PHX with donations. (right) The Foster Alliance is holding multiple donation events in December. C T H E M A R I LY N

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