Creative In-Kind Giving
I recently suffered the sudden loss of my Dad. With Mom in Memory Care, it’s now time to empty and sell the family home. Given our family’s philanthropy inclinations, my first thoughts were how can we create some mitzvahs by giving some of the contents to the needy.
Here’s what I’ve come up with so far – what I’m planning to donate, which organizations selected, and why. (Note: Organizations with an asterisk require a phone call to verify the need, whether the items will be accepted, and whether they have a truck for pick-up. Organizations without an asterisk will definitely take the items.)
Everyday dishes, glasses, pots, serving dishes, serving spoons, working small appliances – can opener, coffee maker, toaster – My first choice is The International Institute of St. Louis*, www.iistl.org. Why: The world is seeing the largest number of refugees in history, and St. Louis is continuing to welcome record numbers of new arrivals every month. Their support ensures that our newest neighbors have necessities as they adjust to life in a new country and community.
Area rugs, sewing machine will be offered to Welcome Neighbor STL, www.welcomeneighborstl.org. Why: Welcome Neighbor STL provides comprehensive help to refugees in the St. Louis region.
Other organizations that accept donations for refugees include:
· House of Goods Baitulmal at 5911 Southwest Ave, St. Louis, MO 63139 | (314) 833-3300
· Oasis International Ministries at 5035 Gravois Ave, St. Louis, MO 63116 | (314) 353-3800
Both organizations accept new and gently used clothing (no holes or stains), household goods, non-perishable items, diapers, baby items, appliances, furniture, and more. Call with questions or to schedule a pick up day and time for appliances.
Dad’s desktop MAC/Apple Computer – to Lift for Life Gym. www.liftforlifegym.org This 34 year old northside based after school program is a neighborhood pillar - with programs for 8-18 year old youth to provide strong bodies and strong minds. Programs include weight lifting, power lifting, basketball; homework help, mentoring, job shadowing, hot evening meal and bus ride home. (Note – Welcome Neighbor is also seeking laptops for student tutoring and for refugee entrepreneurs).
Ping pong table, pool table, and board games to LinkSTL*, www.linkstl.org. Link STL is a neighborhood organization in Hyde Park that focuses on linking residents to opportunities and fun. They recently suffered a flood in Clay School where their summer camp supplies were housed, so our donation will help to ensure neighborhood kids can still have a fun camp experience!
Dad’s suits, dress shoes, athletic shoes and socks, coats, jackets, backpacks, travel bags and Mom’s dresses, suits, coats and shoes will go to NCJW’s Resale Shop. www.NCJW.org. NCJW is a wonderful 150 year old nonprofit with a large range of community programs that help Jews and non-Jews alike. Donations need to be dropped off. Address is 295 N. Lindbergh, 63141.
Living room furniture including couches, chairs, end tables, short book shelves, lamps, kitchen table & chairs, bedroom dressers, comforters, blankets, sheets, vacuum, brooms, trash cans, laundry baskets, and any dishes, pots, glasses, cookware, toaster, not taken by International Institute will go to Home Sweet Home. www.homesweethomestl.org. This smartly run organization has trucks for pickup, but requires you send pictures first for pre-approval. 314-448-9838.
Extra freezer in the laundry room is going to Laughing Bear Bakery*. www.laughingbearbakery.org. Laughing Bear Bakery is a work skills reintegration program for ex-offenders who are working very hard to start a new life. At Laughing Bear, these men and women receive on-the-job training in a commercial kitchen, learning to create a wide array of delicious treats that are sold across the metro St. Louis area including Straub’s stores and to a major area university. Their employees, proud to be supporting themselves, have an extraordinarily low recidivism rate as Laughing Bear’s discipline and programs helped them integrate back into society successfully!
Garden equipment including shovels, hoses, rakes, potting soil, hand tools including pruners, trowels, garden hoes, digging forks, saws, watering can, sprinklers, ceramic pots, and wheelbarrow to Seeds St. Louis (formerly called Gateway Greening). www.seedstlouis.org. This impactful organization supports a network of over 250 community gardens, school gardens, and urban orchards in neighborhoods throughout the St. Louis region. Their purpose is to provide communities with the tools, education, and empowerment to grow their own food. Tool donations need to be dropped off by appointment. Email garden@seedstlouis.org to coordinate your delivery.
Bicycles will go to B-Works, www.bworks.org. Their charter program, St Louis Bicycle Works, gives kids the chance to earn a free bike while they learn about bike safety and maintenance from volunteers. 350 kids graduate from the program every year, earning their own bike, helmet, light and lock. Bworks also features a bike shop, where anyone can purchase a refurbished bike. Byte-Works, another key program, allows kids to earn a free desktop computer after taking a 6 week course on how to use and maintain their computers. Bikes need to be dropped off. Call for hours: 314-664-0828
In summary, for me, in this time of sadness, the darkness recedes from the light and joy of giving where it matters. It can do the same for you.
Nina Needleman is a Retired Financial Planner. She spent the first three-decades of her career in the financial services industry. Now she uses her business skills to help nonprofit organizations with Capacity Building and more importantly-- as an educator, teaching people about personal finance and philanthropy.
