25 Ways to Give in RI this Holiday Season

MAE for the Homeless

MAE Organization for the Homeless helps homeless individuals and their families heal from the traumas and anxieties of their situation.

The organization needs funding for a new facility and basic winter accesories - like hats, gloves, and hand warmers - and toiletries for those in need. 

Photo: MAE Organization for the Homeless

RI Tutorial Services

334 East Ave., Pawtucket, RI

RI Tutorial and Educational Services (RITES) assists children who cannot afford tutoring services the help they need.

Donate or sponsor a child who suffers from dyslexia, or ADHD and help them learn and grow.

Photo: RITES

RI Food Bank

200 Niantic Ave, Providence, RI

Rhode Island Food Bank allows you to donate non-perishable food to needy families this holiday season.

Most needed items include: peanut butter, tuna, canned and dried beans, canned chili, soups and stews. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters

59 Putnam Pike, Johnston, RI 

Become a mentor to an at-risk child through Big Brothers Big Sisters of RI.

You can also donate clothing at their drop off points which is free and easy to do. 

Gloria Gemma

249 Roosevelt Ave, Pawtucket, RI

Donate to breast cancer research this year with Gloria Gemma. 

The organization also has walks which you can participate in or sponsor a friend.  

Photo: Gloria Gemma

RI Foundation

One Union Station, Providence, RI

Rhode Island Foundation allows you to donate to any of the 1,300 funds estalished by generous Rhode Islanders. 

Choose your cause and help one of the many organizations in your community that needs your support. 

Confetti Foundation

78 Thames St., Newport, RI

Confetti Foundation uses donations to provide starter party kits for children who have to celebrate their birthdays in the hospital. 

Each kit costs $22 to produce, and the organization is looking to reach it's goal of 500 boxes by December 31st this year. 

Photo: Confetti Foundation

Rock Paper Scissors

38 Asa Pond Rd., Wakefield, RI

Rock Paper Scissors Children's Fund is an organization that supports music and art programs for children in Vietnam. 

You can even donate a bike to children who often have to walk long distances to get to school. 

Photo: Rock Paper Scissors Children's Fund

Khadarlis

105 Dodge St, Providence, RI

Khadarlis is an organization that is looking to fight poverty and social inequality in Rhode Island and Sierra Leone. 

Khadarlis is focused on supporting the community with healthcare, educational services and other basic needs and supplies. 

Photo: Khadarlis

New Urban Arts

743 Westminster St., Providence, RI

New Urban Arts was founded in 1997 and provides a community arts studio for students and emerging artists in Providence. 

Donate your time as a volunteer to help mentor urban high school kids and help foster a supportive and creative community. 

Photo: New Urban Arts

West Place Animal

3198 Main Rd., Tiverton, RI

West Place Animal Sanctuary volunteer your time to caring for animals in need.

You can also make a tax-deductable donation to support animals  like Cleveland and Stewie at West Place. 

Photo: West Place Animal Sanctuary

Rhode Island Blood Center

405 Promenade St., Providence, RI

Save a life this holiday by donating blood or platelets to Rhode Island Blood Center. 

Donation hours are: 

Monday - Thursday 8:00 am - 7:00 pm

Friday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday 7:30 am - 2:00 pm

Photo: Rhode Island Blood Center

Amos House

415 Friendship St., Providence, RI 

Amos House accepts monetary donations to support the training, housing, and recovery programs they provide for the hungry, homeless and unemployed in Rhode Island. 

The organization also accepts donations in-kind such as gently used strollers, pillowcases, laundry detergent, baby formula, and first aid kits for the families who participate in their programs.

Photo: Amos House

Save the Bay

100 Save The Bay Drive, Providence, RI

Donate or volunteer at Save the Bay this holiday.

You can assist in clean ups and help preserve the natural environment of wildlife in Rhode Island.

Photo: Save the Bay

Hope Funds for Cancer

226 Bellevue Ave., Newport, RI

Hope Funds for Cancer Research holds special events every year to help raise money for young researchers looking for fellowship opportunities.

Become a philanthropist for the organization by attending, or make a gift to help fund cancer research in Rhode Island.

Photo: Hope Funds for Cancer Research

Support Our Troops

325 Laurel Ridge Ln., N. Kingstown, RI

Operation Support Our Troops sends care packages to members of the armed forces.

Give our troops a sense of home with your donation, and help them remember they are cared for. You can ever make a donation in honor of a soldier in your life.

Photo: Operation Support Our Troops

Project GOAL

79 Savoy St., Providence, RI

Project GOAL (Greater Opportunity for Athletes to Learn) aims to develop Rhode Island’s disadvantaged youth through after school tutoring and soccer-related programs. 

Volunteer your time or support the staff at Project GOAL to help children in your community.

Operation Stand Down

1010 Hartford Ave, Johnston, RI

Operation Stand Down supports veteran female soldiers who have experienced hardship and homelessness in Rhode Island through their Cpl. Holly Charette House. 

Help our troops come home and get back on their feet by donating to Operation Stand Down. 

You can also help by organizing food drives for their other locations. 

Sojourner House

386 Smith St., Providence, RI

Sojourner House, Inc. is a domestic violence agency that assists victims of relationship violence by providing shelter, advocacy and violence prevention education.

Donate to their safe house wish list with items like toaster ovens, small tables, pillows, fitted sheets, and pots and pans for their residents.

Photo: Sojourner House

Gaia Vaccine Foundation

146 Clifford St., Providence, RI

Gaia Vaccine Foundation accepts volunteers and donations to help immunize people around the world against AIDS.

The organization has recently won Bill and Melinda Gate’s “Grand Challenge Grant”. 

Photo: Gaia Vaccine Foundation

Children’s Wishes of RI

2346 Post Rd, Warwick, RI

Children’s Wishes of Rhode Island grants wishes to children living with life-threatening medical illnesses.  

Refer a special child in your life or donate things like air miles, and fundraising events to help them say “yes” to children in the community.

Photo: Children's Wishes of Rhode Island

Crossroads RI

160 Broad St, Providence, RI

Crossroads is the largest homeless services organization in Rhode Island.

Donate goods like baby diapers, non-perishable food items, and toiletries to the organization this year to help those who are homeless or at risk during these winter months. 

Johnnycake Center

1231 Kingstown Rd., Peace Dale, RI 

The Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale collects food and other items for its annual holiday program to help families in need and is run by youth volunteer members of Teen Jonnycake.

Donations are still needed for their December Holiday Food Baskets such as pancake mix, cereal, canned juice and soups. 

Photo: Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale

Teddy Bear Toss

Friars Hockey will be teaming up with RIPTA on December 6 to donate teddy bears to the West End Community Center. 

Make a child's holiday season just a little merrier by bringing a teddy bear to the Friars Hockey Teddy Bear Toss and enjoy the game!

RI CAN

805 Alton Carolina Road, Charlestown, RI

Rhode Island Center Assisting those in Need (RI CAN) is always looking for donations to their food pantry and accepts fresh, dry or frozen foods. 

RI CAN also accepts articles of clothing, and furniture to give out to their clients.

You can also donate your time by volunteering at events.