20 NOVEMBER 2025 By Mark Hays Arizona nonprofits have kicked off their donation drives, offering a platform for people to contribute essential food, water, toys, and more to underserved populations while fostering community and purpose. Below are 11 Valley organizations where folks can get involved and help out. PHOENIX RESCUE MISSION 2515 N. 34th Dr., Phoenix phoenixrescuemission.org Phoenix Rescue Mission is focused on transformation and healing for men, women and children trapped in cycles of homelessness, addiction and poverty. This year, the organization is accepting donations for its ‘Fill-A-Bag’ holiday drives. For Thanksgiving, PRM is looking for canned fruit and veggies (green beans, corn, sweet potatoes, etc.) as well as cranberry sauce, gravy, mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. Turkeys are also being accepted. For Christmas, the nonprofit hopes to fill 2,000 bags for its meal and gift drive. New, unwrapped toys, wrapping paper and gifts for kids up to 18 years old (puzzles, bath toys, coloring books, sports equipment, journals, etc.) will be accepted. ST. VINCENT DE PAUL 420 W. Watkins Road, Phoenix stvincentdepaul.net Extra help is needed in SVdP’s kitchen, dining rooms, and central food bank. Turkey Tuesday takes place on November 25. Before that, Arizonans can donate a frozen turkey at any Basha’s or Food City location across Arizona – SVdP volunteers will be on-site to collect donations. The Feeding Our Neighbors Together campaign is a statewide food drive “that harnesses the power of community to feed more people facing food insecurity across Arizona.” Individuals can register to host a food drive or donate nonperishable goods to support SVdP’s goal of collecting 500,000 pounds of food. The organization invites individuals, families, and businesses to sponsor families in need during the holidays. Sponsors are matched with a family and asked to provide at least two new, wrapped gifts for each child under 16 (one toy and one clothing item), a gift for each older sibling and adult in the household, and a grocery store gift card for the family’s holiday meal. Once matched, sponsors should contact their family promptly and ensure all gifts are delivered by December 23. PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH + FEEDING STUDENTS USA 3641 N. 56th St., Phoenix feedingstudentsusa.org Feeding Students USA, a pantry located on the Prince of Peace campus, supports working families who “fall through the cracks of public aid.” Now through November 16, Prince of Peace is collecting boxed stuffing, canned goods, and shelf-stable sides to assemble Thanksgiving meals for those in need. PARADISE VALLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 4455 E. Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley pvumc.org/events PVUMC is hosting several events that turn festive fun into charitable support. The Christmas Bazaar & Craft Show takes place on November 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., where vendors donate 10 percent of sales to nonprofits like UMOM, Audrey’s Angels, and PEO. From November 1-19, PVUMC is also holding a Navajo Nation Supply Drive, collecting nonperishable foods, diapers, winter gear, and gift cards for families in partnership with FaithWorks in Flagstaff. HOMELESS YOUTH CONNECTION 9100 N. 2nd St., Phoenix hycaz.org Homeless Youth Connection supports youth ages 13-21 experiencing homelessness across Maricopa County and Flagstaff. This holiday season, their “Holiday Magic Starts Now” campaign focuses on “showing young people that they matter.” For Thanksgiving, donors are encouraged to give grocery gift cards (up to $75) to help youth enjoy a warm holiday meal. To contribute to its Winter Holiday Gift Bags campaign, individuals can fill festive bags with gift cards and treats. Suggested items include Walmart, Target, Amazon, or fast food restaurant gift cards for $25 or more. HARVEST COMPASSION CENTER 4744 E. Thunderbird Road, Phoenix harvestcompassioncenter.org Harvest Compassion Center provides food, clothing, hygiene, and baby supplies across three Valley locations. They are currently accepting donations for their Holiday Toy Drive, now through December 23. Volunteers are always needed, especially at HCC’s Maryvale and West Phoenix sites. A quick online application is available for those interested in getting involved. THE FOSTER ALLIANCE 3110 E. Thunderbird Road, Phoenix thefosteralliance.org The Foster Alliance’s holiday toy drives are in full swing. Upcoming events include Fill Santa’s Sleigh on December 2, where individuals and families can drop off toys at the Phoenix office. Folks can also drop off donations at Scottsdale Quarter, at the Flagstaff Pub Crawl on December 5, and at the Cardinals Game Toy Drive on December 21. Each of these events will also have hot chocolate and treats available to make the day even more fun. For those who can’t attend, the website offers a link to TFA’s Amazon wish list, and the organization is also looking for volunteers to help pack gift bags. DUET 10000 N. 31st Ave., Phoenix duetaz.org Duet: Partners in Health and Aging has been in the Valley for 40 years, originally starting their services to help grandparents who are raising grandkids. They offer support groups, legal assistance, respite assistance, educational workshops, and grandfamily outings. The holidays are challenging for these grandparents on fixed incomes, so Duet is looking for donations for its holiday toy drive. Bring new toys or gift cards to the office Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. until December 5, 2025. There’s also an Amazon Wishlist. SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS UCC 5524 E. Lafayette Blvd., Phoenix sohucc.org This Arcadia-area congregation supports Nourish Phoenix, one of the only non- geographic food banks in the Valley. In November, they are collecting new, unwrapped toys for Santa’s Workshop, which will provide gifts for children in need. In December, the church is collecting new and gently used blankets to support unsheltered neighbors. Hygiene items, clothing, and small household goods can be dropped off at the donation box under the front patio at any time. ST. STEPHEN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2310 N. 56th St., Phoenix ststephens.org St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church needs donations for its two annual holiday giveaways. For the Thanksgiving Giveaway on November 12, donors are asked to drop off shelf-stable food and cash donations by November 2 to help purchase Walmart gift cards. For the Christmas Giveaway on December 10, warm winter clothing donations are needed by December 4. Donations may be dropped off Monday-Thursday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. CHRIST CHILD SOCIETY OF PHOENIX 4633 N. 54th St., Phoenix christchildphx.org The all-volunteer Christ Child Society is organizing a Christmas Giving Toy Drive for Catholic Charities foster children. Donors are asked to provide unwrapped, labeled gifts for children ages 3-15. Gift cards valued between $20 and $25 are encouraged for kids over 10. Items can be dropped off on December 4 between 9 and 10:30 a.m. at the St. Pope John Paul II Building at Mount Claret Retreat Center. How you can help others this holiday season (left) Through November 16, Prince of Peace is collecting items to assemble Thanksgiving meals. (right) Duet is looking for donations for its holiday toy drive, open until December 5, 2025.