By Jason Savio
In one way or another, we’ve all felt the pinch lately. Whether it’s higher gas prices, an increase in the cost of groceries, or any number of other elements, things have been tight and it’s hard to avoid. But our community has always been strong. Built on hard work, determination, and love, we continually pick each other up when times get tough.
As the holiday season approaches, more and more people will find themselves in need of help from their neighbors. Non-profit organizations across central Massachusetts are doing their best to meet the growing demand, but, in an uncertain economic time, your help is essential.
We’ve contacted numerous non-profits from the region and asked them for their “holiday wish list”—three things they are in need of and why. The following is a list of the responses that we received. Learn about each organization and what they do, and consider helping if you can.
Abby’s House
ADDRESS: 52 High St., Worcester MA, 01609
WEBSITE: abbyshouse.org
MISSION: Abby’s House is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing women with or without children with safe shelter, affordable housing, advocacy services, and the support they need to lead self-directed lives filled with dignity and hope.
YOUR (3) WISH LIST ITEMS
ITEM: Paper towels
SPECIFIC INFO: Any brand or size
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: This is an item we are always low on and makes all the difference and helps maintain a clean safe space
ITEM : Disinfectant wipes
SPECIFIC INFO: Ideally Lysol brand
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: Due to certain allergies these wipes are the main cleaner we can use on all surfaces
ITEM: Amazon gift cards
SPECIFIC INFO: In any amount
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: These allow us to give them directly to the women so they can choose what they would like and allows them to pick their own products and items.
African Community Education (ACE)
ADDRESS: 51 Gage St., Worcester, MA 01605
WEBSITE: https://africancommunityeducation.org/
MISSION: ACE is a home away from home for African refugees and immigrants in Worcester. Through educational programs and wraparound support services, we help kids and families find success, empowerment, and self-sufficiency in their new home.
KEY CONTACT (DEVELOPMENT OR GIVING): Tim O’Neil,
Director of Development
EMAIL: toneil@acechildren.org
YOUR (3) WISH LIST ITEMS
ITEM: Gas gift cards
SPECIFIC INFO: Cumberland Farms gift cards
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: To fill up our vans that provide transportation for kids to and from our programs
ITEM: Food gift cards
SPECIFIC INFO: BJ’s gift cards
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: To stock our food pantry with food and home supplies for ACE families
ITEM: Water Bottles (200 total needed)
SPECIFIC INFO: Neihepal 24oz insulated water bottles bulk 8 Pack
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: To distribute to ACE students and limit the use of single-use cups at our After School Program
Audio Journal Inc.
ADDRESS: 799 West Boylston St., Worcester, MA 01606
WEBSITE: www.audiojournal.or
MISSION: Audio Journal’s Mission in Central Massachusetts is to connect individuals with a visual impairment, or an inability to access print material, to their communities through broadcasting of local news, information, and entertainment with targeted programs and content.
KEY CONTACT (DEVELOPMENT OR GIVING): Harry Duchesne, Executive Director
EMAIL: harry@audiojournal.org
YOUR (3) WISH LIST ITEMS
ITEM: Mini Desktop Computer & monitor
SPECIFIC INFO: Dell OptiPlex mini desktop computer with Intel Core
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: A new computer & monitor is needed in our live studio for the reading of our news to our listeners by our blind intern volunteers.
ITEM: Portable Sound system with one speaker and two microphones
SPECIFIC INFO: Portable Bluetooth 1000W PA speaker system two wireless mics
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: To assist our “Memory Care” outreach to local Dementia, Alzheimers and Traumatic Brain Injury units in Senior Residential Facilities in Worcester. Our interns and volunteers will be performing skits, plays, live music, pet therapy, music therapy.
ITEM: 20 UBER gift cards
SPECIFIC INFO: 20 UBER gift cards with value of $50
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: Audio Journal listeners can attend events that are outside of WRTA paratransit limits (outside of bus lines)
Boys & Girls Club of Worcester
ADDRESS: 65 Boys & Girls Club Way
Worcester, MA 01610
WEBSITE: www.bgcworcester.org
MISSION: For nearly 138 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester has been all about Worcester’s kids. What began as a place to keep young boys off the streets has grown into a place where young people can belong, breathe, discover, and dream bigger. Our professional staff meet kids where they are today and help them see — and reach — the possibilities of who they can become tomorrow.
KEY CONTACT (DEVELOPMENT OR GIVING): Liz Hamilton
EMAIL: lhamilton@bgcworcester.org
YOUR (3) WISH LIST ITEMS
ITEMS: Food
SPECIFIC INFO: Fill the Pantry. Share the Joy. Donations accepted now until the end of December. Non-perishable items, turkeys, hams and food gift cards.
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: No family should have to choose between groceries and other essentials. We provide food to 150 families every week and 2,500 people during the holidays.
ITEMS: Robotic Kits Discovery 12-in-1 Solar Robot Kit
4M Tin Can Robot
SPECIFIC INFO: UQN 12-in-1 Solar Robot Kit
SPECIFIC INFO: Talent and curiosity are everywhere. Access to opportunity isn’t. Our Club kids love STEM, and providing robotics kits gives them another way to build, create, problem-solve, and explore interests that could shape their education – and even their future careers.
ITEMS: Green Screen and Video Camera
SPECIFIC INFO:
• Vivitar Kids Tech Digital Camera – 1080p video, selfie lens
• Gofunly Instant Print Camera – 1080p video, photo printing
• Uxcell 30-inch Foldable Green Screen with Stand
• Vinci Portable Green Screen with Stand – 43.3 inches
SPECIFIC INFO: A green screen and video camera would give our kids the chance to get behind — and in front of — the camera, creating content while learning public speaking, video production, and AV technology. Along the way, they’ll become smarter about social media and more thoughtful and confident about how they show up – on camera, online, and in the world.
Dismas House of Massachusetts
ADDRESS: 30 Richards St., Worcester, MA 01603
WEBSITE: www.dismasisfamily.org
KEY CONTACT (DEVELOPMENT OR GIVING): Dave McMahon
EMAIL: davemcmahon@dismasisfamily.org
YOUR (3) WISH LIST ITEMS
ITEM: Paper goods and cleaning supplies
SPECIFIC INFO: Toilet paper, paper towels, and cleaning supplies
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: With over 35 residents, we utilize a lot of paper goods and could use help!
ITEM: New twin sheets and towels
SPECIFIC INFO: As new residents arrive, we provide them with fresh sheets and towels for a fresh start!
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: New homeless residents or recent released offenders often arrive at our doorstep with very little.
ITEM: Office chairs
SPECIFIC INFO: Dismas needs new comfortable office chairs for our hard-working staff!
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: The front office that works with residents has very beat up old office chairs and needs two new comfortable ones
Friendly House, Inc.
ADDRESS: 36 Wall St., Worcester, MA 01604
WEBSITE: www.friendlyhousema.org
MISSION: Friendly House is an open door to essential support, hope, and opportunity for Worcester families in need. With in-person services and a multilingual staff, families can access food & basic resources, emergency shelter, youth programs, and social services. Friendly House helps its neighbors build stability, connection, and a stronger path forward.
KEY CONTACT (DEVELOPMENT OR GIVING): Jodi Briggs-Pickett
Director of Development
EMAIL: jbriggspickett@friendlyhousema.org
YOUR (3) WISH LIST ITEMS
ITEM: Shelf stable food & diapers
SPECIFIC INFO: Canned vegetables, pasta, sauce, peanut butter, soup, diapers and wipes
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: Items available at our food pantries
ITEM: Diapers and baby wipes
SPECIFIC INFO: Diapers (size newborn to size 6) and wipes
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: Items available at our diaper pantry
ITEM: New, unwrapped toys and presents
SPECIFIC INFO: Ages infant to teenager (teenagers possibly clothes, gift cards for food restaurants, Walmart, target, Amazon)
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: Items to be distributed at our annual Christmas Party for the neighborhood (12/20) and for families living in shelter.
Girls Inc. of Worcester
ADDRESS: 125 Providence St., Worcester, MA 01604
WEBSITE: www.girlsincworcester.org
MISSION: Girls Inc. of Worcester inspires all girls to be strong (healthy), smart (educated), and bold (independent). We provide more than 1,000 girls and young women ages 5- 24 in Central Mass & MetroWest with year-round opportunities in STEM, leadership, wellness, academics, and career exploration.
KEY CONTACT (DEVELOPMENT OR GIVING): Jessica Diaz
EMAIL: jdiaz@girlsincworcester.org
YOUR (3) WISH LIST ITEMS
ITEM: Bold Boutique Essentials
SPECIFIC INFO: New hygiene and personal-care items, hair-care products, clothing/accessories, and other confidence-building essentials.
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: Our Bold Boutique helps girls and teens access needed items in a welcoming, dignified space while reinforcing confidence, independence, and responsibility. Girls shop at the Bold Boutique with Kind Cash earned in the programs.
ITEM: Wellness & Calm Corner Supplies
SPECIFIC INFO: Weighted lap pads, sensory/fidget tools, noise-reducing headphones, soft pillows, blankets, coloring books, colored pencils, kinetic sand, and calming sensory items.
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: These materials help us create supportive spaces where girls can regulate, decompress, and return to programming feeling ready to participate and engage.
ITEM: Paper Shredder
SPECIFIC INFO: Paper shredder that can handle high-volume use, multiple sheets at once, staples, and credit cards.
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: Girls Inc. handles sensitive participant, family, personnel, and organizational information. A reliable shredder helps us securely dispose of confidential documents and maintain strong privacy and records-management practices.
Greater Worcester Land Trust
ADDRESS: 4 Ash Street, Worcester, MA 01608
WEBSITE: www.gwlt.org
MISSION: GWLT is dedicated to providing wildlife habitat and access to forests, fields, and trails to the people in and around Worcester. We have helped conserve over 3000 acres in ten communities over the past 39 years, and our work out on the land is the fruit of dedicated volunteers.
KEY CONTACT (DEVELOPMENT OR GIVING):
Colin Novick, Executive Director
EMAIL: colin@gwlt.org
YOUR (3) WISH LIST ITEMS
ITEM: Rustic granite bench
SPECIFIC INFO: Sansoucy stone natural stone base bench with granite blocks to set it upon
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: Visitors and hikers need a place to stop, rest, and enjoy the moment. We need a bench that looks like it belongs in the forest, and is bulletproof and low maintenance for generations to come, and nothing fits that bill better than a solid piece of granite!
ITEM: A pair of Finn sheep
SPECIFIC INFO: A mother daughter (ewe and lamb) or two sisters (lambs) for the 2027 season, added to Worcester’s flock of sheep at Donker Farm in Tatnuck Square
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: Donker Farm (as the last grandfathered farm in the city of Worcester) seeks age diversity in our small flock and periodically adds a couple of new sheep to keep the flock vibrant and healthy. We are at that moment right now! We would typically work with a Massachusetts sheep farm and “reserve” sheep from their upcoming lambing season. (Walking Cloud Farm of Shelburne Falls MA is one local example of a farm that could help.)
Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester
ADDRESS: 3 Salem Sq, Suite 332, Worcester, MA 01608
WEBSITE: Lvgw.org
MISSION: Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester (LVGW) provides social and economic empowerment through culturally compassionate English language education. Since 1973, we have helped adult learners from diverse backgrounds build English language, literacy, and digital skills through free classes and individualized tutoring. Through our services, we help adults pursue community integration while building the language and literacy skills needed to thrive in their personal, professional, and community lives.
KEY CONTACTS (DEVELOPMENT OR GIVING): Sienna Ablorh, Executive Director
EMAIL: Sablorh@lvgw.org
YOUR (3) WISH LIST ITEMS
ITEM: Gift cards
SPECIFIC INFO: General or to local bookstores like Root and Press of TidePool Bookshop for volunteer tutors
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: In FY26, our 82 volunteer tutors provided 4,485 hours of their time to teach our adult learners. Gift cards for them will be given as appreciation for their priceless time and skills that they donate.
ITEM: Classroom Supplies
SPECIFIC INFO: Purchase an item or several items from our Amazon Wish List, which includes everyday classroom supplies such as expo markers pens, and pencils, as well as books and other educational resources in our ESOL classes and tutoring programs.
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: These supplies help keep our free educational programs accessible, engaging, and well-equipped. Every purchase, no matter the size, helps ensure adult learners have the tools and resources they need to strengthen their skills and succeed.
SPECIFIC INFO: Height Adjustable Standing Desk Converter
A sit-to-stand desk converter for our Program Manager’s workstation, allowing her to alternate between sitting and standing throughout the workday.
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: Our Program Manager oversees student enrollment, instructional programming, volunteer tutors, and student progress. This equipment will support a more comfortable and flexible workspace as she manages the day-to-day operations that keep our educational programs running
Meryl’s Safe Haven, Inc. (MSH)
ADDRESS: P.O. Box 20363, Worcester, MA 01602
WEBSITE: www.merylssafehaven.org
MISSION: Meryl’s Safe Haven provides safe housing, supportive services, and pathways to stability for families experiencing homelessness and young adults transitioning from foster care in Worcester County. Through shelter, housing, workforce development, and individualized support, we help people move beyond crisis toward lasting independence and a more secure future.
KEY CONTACT (DEVELOPMENT OR GIVING): Dr. Tasia Cerezo
EMAIL: tasia@merylssafehaven.org
YOUR (3) WISH LIST ITEMS
ITEM: Art Supplies
SPECIFIC INFO: New art supplies such as sketchbooks, canvases, paints, colored pencils, markers, brushes, and craft materials
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: To provide young adults in our Transitional Youth Empowerment Program with creative and therapeutic outlets that support self-expression, stress reduction, and emotional well-being.
ITEM: Uber Gift Cards
SPECIFIC INFO: Uber gift cards in any denomination
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: To help young adults without reliable transportation get to medical appointments and other essential health-related services safely and consistently.
ITEM: Grocery Gift Cards
SPECIFIC INFO: Gift cards to local grocery stores in any denomination
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: To help young adults experiencing food insecurity purchase groceries, particularly those who have little or no income and are not currently receiving SNAP benefits.
Mustard Seed Catholic Worker Community, Inc.
ADDRESS: 93 Piedmont St., Worcester, MA 01609
WEBSITE: Mustardseedcw.org
MISSION: We are a community inspired by the example of Dorothy Day and aim to minister to those who are on the margins of society. We provide a daily meal Monday through Friday, clothing, personal items and also offer a food pantry on Tuesdays.
KEY CONTACTS (DEVELOPMENT OR GIVING): Paula Bushey
EMAILS: paulambushey@gmail.com
YOUR (3) WISH LIST ITEMS
ITEM: Gift cards from grocery stores
SPECIFIC INFO: Gift cards in any denomination from local grocery stores
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: We give these to families who come to our food pantry to supplement what we provide.
ITEM: Blankets and sleeping bags
SPECIFIC INFO: Used blankets (clean) or sleeping bags
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: Our guests who sleep outside are constantly asking for these items.
ITEM: Socks and underwear
SPECIFIC INFO: New or used socks, new underwear for men and women
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: Guests ask for these items on a daily basis. They are expensive for us to provide so we rely on donations.
Rainbow Child Development Center
ADDRESS: 10 Edward St., Worcester, MA 01605
WEBSITE: www.rainbowcdc.com
MISSION: Through high-quality education and support services, we provide care and opportunity for underserved children to thrive. Last year, we served 534 children across our three programs.
KEY CONTACT (DEVELOPMENT OR GIVING): Nancy Thibault
EMAIL: nthibault@rainbowcdc.com
YOUR (3) WISH LIST ITEMS
ITEM: Diaper-changing station
SPECIFIC INFO: Standalone table designed specifically for diapering
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: For one of our in-home child care providers
ITEM: Foosball table
SPECIFIC INFO: Durable full-size table with rounded corners, preferably with telescoping rods
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: For our School Age children to play, especially during the winter when we need indoor activities
ITEM: Pressure washer
SPECIFIC INFO: 2000 PSI electric pressure washer
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: For maintenance uses at our 10 Edward Street building
Regional Environmental Council (REC)
ADDRESS: 108 Beacon St., Worcester, MA
WEBSITE: www.recworcester.org
MISSION: We help build community and strengthen our local food system through supporting school and community gardens, youth farming, and community and mobile farmers markets. Last year, we supported over 80 community and school gardens in Worcester and provided in school and after school garden programs serving over 2,000 students.
KEY CONTACT (DEVELOPMENT OR GIVING):
Grace Sliwoski, Tracy Andryc
EMAIL: grace@recworcester.org, tracy@recworcester.org
YOUR (3) WISH LIST ITEMS
ITEM: Seeds
SPECIFIC INFO: All types of seeds welcome, quick crops like lettuce, spinach, radishes, and other greens are heavily used for school programs
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: Help restock our community seed library and provide seeds for planting workshops at school gardens across Worcester
ITEM: Kid sized garden gloves
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: For school-based garden programs and to provide to teachers who want to take their students out into the garden
ITEM: Garden hoses
SPECIFIC INFO: All lengths are helpful as we have a variety of gardens in our network!
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: Allows us to replace hoses at school and community gardens and provide hoses to new school gardens as they are built
Veterans Inc.
ADDRESS: 69 Grove St., Worcester, MA 01606
WEBSITE: www.veteransinc.org
MISSION: Non-profit supporting veterans and their families with housing, employment & training, and long-term substance abuse treatment.
KEY CONTACTS (DEVELOPMENT OR GIVING):
Matt Prisco, Donor Engagement Manager
Ray Carville, Senior Manager of Public Affairs
EMAILS: matthewprisco@veteransinc.org
raymondcarville@veteransinc.org
YOUR (3) WISH LIST ITEMS
ITEM: Turkey roasting pans
SPECIFIC INFO: Disposable aluminum turkey roasting pans
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: We’re giving away turkeys to veterans for Thanksgiving!
ITEM: Kitchen utensils
SPECIFIC INFO: Spatulas, spoons, slotted spoons, whisks, etc.
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: For our veterans clients for Thanksgiving meal prep
ITEM: Christmas/holiday Lights
SPECIFIC INFO: Strings of LED white and colored lights
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: For our clients to celebrate the holiday
WCCA TV: Worcester Community Cable Access
ADDRESS: 415 Main St., Worcester MA 01608
WEBSITE: www.wccatv.com
MISSION: WCCA TV is TV by For and Of the People, WCCA is the place to learn, create, and connect.
WCCA TV is Worcester’s public access community media center that gives Worcester residents the tools, training, and platform to create and share local stories, ideas, and programing – strengthening community connection and civic participation through digital media
KEY CONTACT (DEVELOPMENT OR GIVING): Tracy Foley, Station Manager
EMAIL: tracy@wccatv.com
YOUR (3) WISH LIST ITEMS
ITEM: MacBooks or Slates
SPECIFIC INFO: Up to a dozen or more for students and volunteer productions
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: For video production classes workshops and community activities
ITEM: Adobe Premier Subscription licenses.
SPECIFIC INFO: Up to a dozen Premier basic only
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: For student and volunteer use for editing and content capture for film classes and more
ITEM: A year’s supply of print adverting
SPECIFIC INFO: A humble space to encourage people of all backgrounds to engage in participatory media WCCA TV.
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: To promote the wonderful community and educational programs and events offered.
WCUW
ADDRESS: 910 Main St., Worcester MA 01610
MISSION: WCUW is Worcester’s independent, volunteer-powered community radio station and vibrant cultural hub, keeping the airwaves democratic while anchoring a physical sanctuary for local arts. Operating entirely under one roof at 910 Main Street, we broadcast underrepresented voices and hyper-local news alongside hosting The Frontroom live music venue, Cinema Worcester independent film screenings, the Harold Stevens Art Gallery, and the ReBop Record Shop.
KEY CONTACTS (DEVELOPMENT OR GIVING): Stephen Blake
EMAIL: generalmanager@wcuw.org
YOUR (3) WISH LIST ITEMS
ITEM: (1) Countertop Point-of-Sale (POS) device
SPECIFIC INFO: A Square or Clover terminal that works with credit cards and Venmo.
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: To securely process card and tap payments for our in-store record shop sales, gallery art pieces, and movie concessions.
ITEM: Four (or more) drive NAS (Network Attached Storage) unit.
SPECIFIC INFO: DiskStation® DS925+ | Synology Inc.
DiskStation® DS1825+ | Synology Inc.
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: For Network backup and security
ITEM: UPS (Universal Power Supply)
SPECIFIC INFO: GoldenMate 1500VA/1000W LiFePO4 UPS Wall-Mount
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: For our on-air/streaming network equipment
Worcester Community Action Council
ADDRESS: 18 Chestnut Street Ste 500 Worcester, MA 01608
WEBSITE: wcac.net
MISSION: Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC) partners with 30,000 children, individuals, and families across 46 communities in Worcester and Southern Worcester County each year to build pathways to economic mobility, from early education and care to energy assistance, financial empowerment, and career development. We stand alongside people as a committed partner in their goals and advocate for policies that expand opportunity for every person with whom we partner.
KEY CONTACT (DEVELOPMENT OR GIVING): GIselle Rivera-Flores, Chief External Affairs Officer
EMAIL: grivera-flores@wcac.net
YOUR (3) WISH LIST ITEMS
ITEM: 200 – $100 Amazon Gift cards to enhance STEAM Curriculum
SPECIFIC INFO: Give each classroom an opportunity to enhance their curriculum with a $100 Amazon gift card to purchase STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) supplies
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: Hands-on STEAM materials let young children build early problem solving, creativity, and school readiness skills through play and exploration. Your gift equips one classroom for the full year, so teachers can offer these experiences consistently.
ITEM: 200 Copies of the book, Planting a Rainbow by Louis Ehlert
SPECIFIC INFO: Give each child a copy of the Planting a Rainbow by Louis Ehlert to accompany the study guides for early literacy curriculum and provide a copy for each classroom to keep in their library (Cost: 2,200)
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: Having books at home helps children build early literacy skills and lets families continue classroom learning together. Giving every child their own copy connects the curriculum to family reading time and helps start a home library.
ITEM: A $480 Vego Garden gift card to purchase four already assembled raised garden beds
SPECIFIC INFO: This project will provide 4 raised garden beds to increase food access, foster a growing relationship between students and food, and educate the community about food security.
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: Growing food firsthand teaches children where it comes from and encourages them to try fresh fruits and vegetables. The garden beds also become an outdoor classroom and a gathering point for families to learn about healthy, affordable food
Worcester County Food Bank
ADDRESS: 474 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545
WEBSITE: www.foodbank.org
MISSION: Worcester County Food Bank works alongside people experiencing hunger, our network of partner agency food pantries and meal programs, and community and government partners to understand and address hunger together. We distribute healthy, culturally familiar food to our neighbors and help connect people with food and nutrition benefits that can provide greater stability over the long term. We also strengthen local solutions that improve people’s access to food and work to advance local, state, and national policies and systems that address the conditions that cause hunger.
KEY CONTACTS (DEVELOPMENT OR GIVING):
Naomi LeBlanc, Director of Communications & Development
EMAIL: nleblanc@foodbank.org
ITEM: Financial donations
SPECIFIC INFO: For every $50 we receive, we can help put 122 meals on the tables of people in Worcester County
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: 1 in 5 people in Worcester County don’t have enough healthy food to eat.
ITEM: Gift cards to Worcester County supermarkets
SPECIFIC INFO: $20 gift cards to local supermarkets get distributed directly to our neighbors experiencing hunger
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: We specialize in distributing food to people experiencing hunger. When we add gift cards to that distribution, people and families are able to choose the food they need and want most.
Worcester Litter Incorporated
ADDRESS: 8 Patch Reservoir Drive, Worcester, MA
WEBSITE: www.WorcesterLitter.com
MISSION: Worcester Litter Incorporated mobilizes residents, business leaders, municipal operations and visitors to improve Worcester’s neighborhoods through community-led litter cleanups, environmental stewardship, and creative public engagement that transforms neglected spaces into places of pride.
KEY CONTACT (DEVELOPMENT OR GIVING): Paul Ledoux
EMAIL: admin@worcesterlitter.com
YOUR (3) WISH LIST ITEMS
ITEM: Warehouse/storage space with water access
SPECIFIC INFO: Donated warehouse/community space in Worcester with running water and enough room to store cleanup supplies, tools, reusable materials, and donations. Ideally accessible for volunteers and community partners.
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: Worcester Litter is growing beyond what can be managed from personal storage. A dedicated space would allow us to safely store and organize supplies, wash and maintain reusable equipment, prepare for cleanups, and eventually create a community cleanup supply-borrowing center.
ITEM: Vehicle for transporting cleanup supplies
SPECIFIC INFO: A reliable cargo van, pickup truck, or small box truck, either donated, sponsored, or funded through a vehicle purchase/lease.
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: We need to move grabbers, bags, buckets, safety equipment, tools, water, and other supplies to and from community cleanups throughout Worcester. A dedicated vehicle would make it possible to support larger cleanups, neighborhood groups, and mutual-aid projects without relying on personal vehicles or borrowing transportation.
ITEM: Funding for cleanup supplies
SPECIFIC INFO: Financial support to purchase and replenish litter grabbers, bags, gloves, buckets, safety equipment, high-visibility gear, sorting supplies, and other reusable cleanup materials.
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: Cleanup supplies are the basic infrastructure that makes community participation possible. Funding would allow Worcester Litter to lend supplies to residents, neighborhood groups, schools, businesses, and community organizations, while keeping cleanups free and accessible to the people who want to participate.
YWCA Central Massachusetts, Inc.
ADDRESS: 1 Salem Square, Worcester, MA 01608
WEBSITE: Ywcacm.org
MISSION: YWCA provides programs and services to women, children, and families throughout Central Mass, with a focus on safety, opportunity, and empowerment. Last year, we served thousands of individuals through programs including domestic violence services, early education, housing/shelter, and support for girls.
KEY CONTACT (DEVELOPMENT OR GIVING): Gina MacConnell
EMAIL: info@ywcacm.org
YOUR (3) WISH LIST ITEMS
ITEM: Toiletries and household items
SPECIFIC INFO: Personal care, bed and bath linens, and other small household items – table lamp, coffee pot, clock, dinnerware, etc.
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: For individuals and families entering or transitioning from our domestic violence emergency shelter or transitional housing programs, these items provide the everyday essentials they need as they move toward safety and stability.
ITEM: Financial support
SPECIFIC INFO: Financial support and/or gift cards – Walmart, Amazon, Price Chopper, Market Basket, Target for groceries; Red Cab, Uber/Lyft vouchers, prepaid VISA gas cards
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: For individuals in need of basic and or emergency needs including food and transportation
ITEM: School, arts & craft supplies
SPECIFIC INFO: School supplies – backpack, pencils, pens, calculators, etc. Arts & Craft materials – paper, markers, paint, poster board, etc.
WHY DO YOU NEED IT: For children and youth enrolled in afterschool and youth programs