We’re continuing to post information on how to help those in need during the holidays. Several holiday drives are currently underway, including the Cedar Park Holiday Food Drive, which we wrote about last week.

There are more holiday drives going on in the area:

Socks for Homeless, Seniors, Students

State Rep. James Roebuck and community partners are collecting socks for seniors, homeless people and students in their annual “People for People” sock drive. New socks are being accepted through Dec. 16 at Roebuck’s office, 4712 Baltimore Ave., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and at the Squirrel Hill Sub-Police Station, 4619 Chester Ave., from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays. If you have questions, please call Roebuck’s office at 215.724.2227. 

Families Forward Holiday Gift Toy Drive

This holiday season, Families Forward Philadelphia is asking for assistance to spread some holiday cheer with the 145 adults and 300 children they serve daily through their community housing program.

Here’s how you can help:
• Donate items or organize a toy/gift drive (please consider donating only new items).
• Purchase gift cards for teens or new families arriving after Christmas
• Adopt a family and give specific items
• Purchase gifts for teens and adults

Please consider purchasing gifts for teens as most of the received gifts are for smaller children. Household items make great gifts for adults and are helpful when they move into housing units. Gifts such as pillows, sheets and blankets (twin, full & queen), towels, wash cloths, toasters, can openers, irons and toaster ovens, microwaves, coffee makers, tea pots, cups, plates, pots & pans and storage containers. For parents in the Families Forward community housing program, gifts cards to Shoprite, Aldi’s, Fresh Grocer and Save-A-Lot can brighten the holiday or help with making holiday dinner.

Toys/gifts are accepted any day if the week, before 7 p.m by Dec. 15 (please call 215.240.4828 for directions). You can also donate via the Families Forward website.

Toy Drive at Local 44

Local 44 (44th and Spruce) is accepting donations of personal care items for YSI Youth Service Inc. through Dec. 15.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcKnihgn5ym/

Holiday Drive at People’s Emergency Center

Please help PEC create warm and happy memories for the mothers and children they serve. Please consider donating any new and unwrapped items. Below are suggested gift items, or you may purchase and send items directly through  Amazon wish lists.

Kids
Moms
Infants
Youth/young adults

Please deliver all gifts new and unwrapped to Rowan House, 325 N 39th St., Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm, between through Dec. 15. or please contact Peg McCool at 267-777-5874 or by e-mail at pmccool@pec-cares.org to make other arrangements. Please also consider donating wrapping paper, ribbons and bows to give moms the opportunity to wrap their own children’s gifts.