November is a month of being thankful and grateful for your blessings and the people who surround you. Some people in our community aren’t as fortunate, so this is the perfect time of year to give back to others. I found a plethora of options in our area for ways to give back and I’ve compiled a list below of local spots where you can donate items and your time to help those in need. I’ve also highlighted an organization that gives back tremendously to our community.
Local Food Drives/Food Pantries
If you have canned goods or perishable food items in your pantry that you are willing to part with, these organizations below will take them off your hands to feed families in our community. Most of these organizations take items year round, so please donate as often as you can.
- Terre Haute Catholic Charities Foodbank
- Mount of Olives/Carcus Society
- First Church of Nazarene
- Basket of Love Food Pantry-Prince of Peace Missionary Baptist Church
- New Life Fellowship
- Providence Food Pantry
- Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard Food Pantry-14th & Chestnut
- Light House Mission
- Hearts to Hand
Clothing & Toiletries
Clean out your closet and get rid of the items you don’t need to help clothe a member of the community. It is going to be a cold winter, so warm items are greatly appreciated. All these locations accept clothing, small household items, & toiletries.
- Clothes Closet- 14th & Chestnut
- Goodwill
- The Salvation Army
- Bethany House Free Clothes Closet
- Helping Hands
- Coats for Kids
- Light House Mission
- CODA
- Hearts to Hand
Used Furniture
Need to get rid of furniture that you no longer have a use for? Drop it by one of these locations to be resold to consumers in need.
Other Items/Volunteer Opportunities
These locations are asking for other items and need volunteers. If you can’t give any specific items, it is always great to give your time to help.
- Terre Haute Humane Society
- Rethink Inc.
- Salvation Army-Volunteer
- Salvation Army-Angel Tree
- Mosaic
- Horse Shoe Equine Rescue
- Toys For Tots
- Trees for Troops
- Adopt A Family
- CASA
- United Way
- Terre Haute Catholic Charities-Volunteer
- The Lighthouse Mission-Volunteer
Spotlight On A Local Organization
The Terre Haute Women’s Club has been around for 46 years and surprisingly not a lot of people understand the huge impact this group has on our community. The THWC’s mission is to serve children in need in Vigo County.
What They Do
The organizations main project is the Shoe Bus. Children who go to schools in Vigo County are recommended to the THWC by nurses & teachers at the schools. The group then sends two volunteers, who drive the Shoe Bus, to the schools to shoe the kids in need of new tennis shoes. Each student in need, receives a brand new pair of tennis shoes and two pairs of socks. The club purchases all the shoes and socks on their own, unless given a donation. The group typically gives out 1,200 pairs of shoes & 2,400 pairs of socks in one school year.
How Can I Help?
The group only holds one fundraiser a year, An Evening of Art & Wine. For the price of a brand new pair of shoes, you can purchase a ticket to the event that takes place at the Hulman Center and enjoy a night filled with art, wine, food, a silent auction, & a cork pull. All the money raised at this event goes towards buying and shoeing kids in need, in the Wabash Valley. Tickets will be available soon for those interested. If you would like to donate brand new tennis shoes or socks CLICK HERE, and if you are interested in being a part of this organization, send us an email at [email protected] and we will get the information to you.
If you know of any other volunteering opportunities or donation requests, please let us know. Have a Happy Thanksgiving and share some love this holiday season!
-M.
