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Gift of Giving: What Worcester charities need most this season VEER MUDAMBI
has gone digital, like many other groups, receiving toys through Amazon. Donors can check out Pernet’s wishlist on Amazon and purchase a toy - delivering it to the agency who will then deliver it to an excited child. Gift cards for Target or grocery stores will also be accepted, as the agency always adds one of these for the family of every toy delivery.
Abby’s House on High Street in Worcester. T&G FILE PHOTO/GEORGE BARNES
variety of supplies.” She said the list includes any size bathrobe and slippers, gloves, hat and scarf sets, and solid, neutral colored twin comforters and towel sets. Target, Amazon, Dunkin’ Donuts, Walmart, Dollar Tree, Price Chopper, prepaid Visa/Mastercard and Price Rite gift cards are also welcome. “People are so generous — I’m amazed every day at how generous people are during this pandemic.” For the last several years,
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WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM
D E C E M B E R 10 - 16, 2020
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big part of the holiday season is not only appreciating what one has but remembering those who have less. Worcester Magazine publishes the Gift of Giving every year to help Worcester residents identify what local charity groups need in terms of donations. This year in particular, nonprofits are struggling due to COVID-19, which curtailed traditional fundraising. Events have either been postponed, canceled or gone virtual, which means significantly less was money raised. For that reason, financial donations or gift cards are being requested more than anything else to make up for the fundraising shortfall and offer more flexibility. Here are some local groups working to provide peace of mind, and perhaps some holiday cheer, to those in need. Abby’s House provides shelter and affordable housing as well as advocacy and support services to homeless, battered and low-income women, with or without children. Jean Anger, volunteer coordinator at Abby’s House, says they are “right where we always are in terms of needs — an overwhelming list of a wide
Friendly House has hosted a holiday party complete with music, dancing and food. This year, “we’re collecting toys on a smaller scale,” said Susan Daly, assistant to the executive director, focusing efforts on the 30 or so children in the learning pod program who come in daily for meals and internet access to remote coursework. “We want to make sure they’re taken care of, toy wise.” The event has been famous for the massive toy giveaway at the end, when three rooms are opened up, filled with toys organized by age group for kids to pick whatever they like. As usual, the request is for new, unwrapped toys. It’s most difficult finding toys for the 9- to 12-year-olds, said Daly, so donors should be on the lookout for anything that appeals to that age group. Teenagers can also be tough, so gift cards, phone accessories, or even prepaid phone minutes are ideal. More personalized gift giving is what distinguishes Pernet Family Health Center as it tries to meet specific toy requests from families. “This year is very different for our gift giving season,” said executive director Sheilah Dooley. As the pandemic has interfered with its usual toy drive, Pernet
Jael Rosario, 8, picks out some sweet as he and grandmother Alcita Medina arrived to pick up a bag of fresh vegetables at the Friendly House in September.
people escaping persecution in their home countries. The pandemic has imposed new monthly costs at a time when funding is at a premium. “We’ve had to pay to quarantine folks for a week, coming into our program,” said Al Green, which is about $600 a month. With two to three new asylum seekers each month, that comes to between $12,000 and $18,000. “That’s money we never anticipated having to pay,” he said. For donations, gift cards are strongly encouraged, which allows for more agency in buying what they need. While Worcester Animal Rescue League has been inundated with adoption requests during the pandemic, they have also been swamped with animals who are turned in due to the hard choices people have to make during a period of job losses. In the meantime, they like sending home “adoption goodie bags” with newly adopted animals, so supplies for those are welcome. However, Kristin Mullins, executive director, is still worried “there will be a surge of returns after the pandemic.” They need cat supplies such as food, non-clumping cat litter and toys. Generally, they ask for Friskies dry food and Pate wet food, which are both good quality
T&G FILE PHOTO/ASHLEY GREEN
Ujima Food Pantry, an offshoot of Blackseed Farmers Market, was formed back in May. It will continue its work throughout the holiday season to provide food for international students stranded here due to the pandemic, caught between travel restrictions and closed campuses. Founder Imrana Soofi said that in addition to monetary contributions, non-perishable food items are ideal donations, such as canned goods, cereals, rice or lentils. International students aren’t the only ones from overseas who need help. LGBT Asylum Task Force provides shelter and other necessary services to LGBTQ
Amid the COVID-19 quarantine and social distancing, the Worcester Animal Rescue League is safely continuing operations. One of eight puppies born to mom Isabella in April gets a kiss from Tara Burdett. T&G FILE PHOTO/ASHLEY GREEN
