Greater Lafayette Charities that Need Your Help This Holiday Season

There are so many charities in the Greater Lafayette area that do massive good throughout the entire year, as well as during the holidays when there are many extra needs in our community.

These charities can’t serve everybody adequately without the help of people in the community like you and me. Sometimes that means financial support, sometimes in means donating necessary items, and sometimes it just means giving up some of your time for a good cause. I’ve rounded up a list of some of my favorite charities in our area that could really use your help during this holiday season (or at any time of the year).

This year, why not think about giving back to the community as part of your gift giving? It will be much appreciated by any of these organizations and the many people they selflessly serve.

Lafayette Urban Ministries

Lafayette Urban Ministries offers several great seasonal events, including my family’s favorite—Jubilee Christmas! Jubilee Christmas is a special program for families with kids who are 12 and under. Each family receives a ham and homemade cookies for Christmas dinner, as well as toys and clothes. The program serves over 600 families and 1,800 children, so it has a big impact in our area. LUM can use your cash and toy donations, as well as other items.

Or, get your holiday season started out right with a 5K on Thanksgiving morning before you eat all that delicious food. Runners, walkers, dogs, and everyone else are welcome to participate. The course goes through the Celery Bog Nature Area. The proceeds of the race go toward funding LUM’s programs and services.

The Boys & Girls Club of Lafayette

The Boys & Girls Club of Lafayette is always looking for extra money and hands any time throughout the year, but they could especially use your help at Christmastime. The Boys & Girls Club is currently serving over 200 kids a day! General monetary donations can be made to Lyn Treece Boys & Girls Club at 1529 N 10^th Street in Lafayette.

The community Christmas dinner is also in need of both hands and resources. They feed approximately 3,000 people on Christmas day, and at least 1,000 of those meals are delivered. This year, set up takes place Saturday December 21^st from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and they need help on Christmas Day starting at 7 a.m. They can always use drivers to help deliver meals starting at 10:30 a.m. Folks can just show up to help, or they may reach out to 765-714-1399. If you’d like to donate money for the dinner, checks are payable to Community Christmas Dinner and can be left at 1527 Kossuth Street in Lafayette.

Joyful Journey Adult Day Service

Joyful Journey Adult Day Service is looking to add items to their multi-sensory area this holiday season. Multi-sensory activities and supplies are scientifically proven to enhance the well-being of those living with more severe forms of dementia (more information here). These types of items can be purchased for $50 to $1500. They often contain an electronic component, fiber optics, and touch response that allow people to find new connections in their world through their senses.

Smaller items Joyful Journey would love to receive include a weighted blanket, iPods and accessories, and iTunes and Amazon gift cards. Do you have a special tradition or craft you would be interested in sharing with those at Joyful Journey? They would be happy to talk with you about volunteer options! Go here for more information about donating or volunteering.

Lafayette Salvation Army

Lafayette Salvation Army needs bell ringers all over Tippecanoe County! Sign up for a spot and brighten the holidays around town! The money raised during by bell ringers during the holiday season funds Salvation Army initiatives throughout the entire year.

Four hours of ringing typically brings in around $120, and that money goes to provide housing, youth services, rehabilitation services, and counseling to those in need. The Salvation Army is also usually one of the first organizations on the ground in disaster situations around the world.

LTHC Homeless Services

LTHC Homeless Services is a coordinated entry point for anyone finding themselves without a home. They provide rapid re-housing assistance and special help for veterans who are facing homelessness. They also provide more permanent housing and assistance, depending on individual needs.

LTHC Homeless Services will gladly accept help of many kinds. They can always use things such as bus tokens, ponchos, and travel toiletries anytime throughout the year. This list is a great place to start if you’re interested in donating to this cause.

Food Finders Food Bank

Food Finders Food Bank collaborates with other local organizations to provide food for people in need in Central Indiana. They’ve been providing this help since 1981 though funding from the United Way, grants, and individual donations. Food Finders makes a big difference in battling food insecurity in this area, especially for young ones.

Go here to help individuals year round with your monetary donations. Food donation information is here. Drop off food donations at 1210 N 10th Street, Lafayette, IN 47904, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Habitat for Humanity

The Lafayette Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homes in our area for people who don’t make enough money to purchase a home. All of the Habitat for Humanity programs are designed to empower people to be self-reliant.

Volunteer groups and individuals can be used in many different ways, so don’t hesitate to volunteer your time. Habitat for Humanity can also always use your monetary donations or supplies. Go here for information about volunteering your time, including to build a home, mentor families, and more. 

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore collects your donations of used furniture and many other things. This is a a home improvement and donation center that sells new and gently used furniture, appliances, and home improvement materials for much less than retail prices. Each purchase and donation helps Habitat for Humanity build more homes for those in our area.

Samaritan’s Purse

Looking for a more global impact during the holidays? Each year, each of our three kids packs a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child. They pack in as much as they can to share the gift of giving with a child around the world.

You can even track your box and see where it ends up, which can be a meaningful thing to talk about as you open gifts with your own family.

Other Ways to Help

Curious about other ways to plug in around Greater Lafayette? Check out the United Way Partner Agencies for many more ideas of places who could use your help.

There’s no shortage of ways to give back this holiday season … of your time, talents and/or resources. Consider the gift of giving this holiday season!