Philadelphia’s hundreds of homeless shelters, food pantries and nonprofits help thousands of people every year around the holidays — and they need your help to make it all happen.
Billy Penn went out in search of volunteering and donating opportunities for across the city, with the United Way as our guide. Know of an opportunity we missed? Let us know at contact@billypenn.com, and we’d love to include it. Search here to find your local shelter, and give them a buzz to see if they need your help.
Here’s what we found:
Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha, Inc.(APM)
1900 N. 9th Street
Donation requests: Bingo prizes, canned goods, food baskets, gifts for adults, teens and seniors, new stuffed animals, personal care items, small toys and stocking stuffers
Contact: Naida Elena Burgos, APM NAC Coordinator at (267) 296-7215 or naida.montes@apmphila.org
1021 South 4th Street
Donation requests: Bingo prizes, canned goods, food baskets, gifts for seniors, turkeys/ hams and refreshments for senior holiday lunch
Volunteering opportunities: On Dec. 19 at 1 p.m., six volunteers are needed to help serve residents and assist with handing out gifts during the holiday luncheon for senior residents. Volunteers are also asked to provide a light lunch, refreshments or holiday gift baskets to raffle off.
Contact: Brooke Glickman, Social Service Coordinator at (215) 551-7164 or brooke.glickman@bettertomorrows.org
5620 Wyalusing Ave
Donation requests: Canned goods, food baskets, gifts for teens and seniors, personal care items, small toys and turkeys/ hams
Volunteering opportunity: In December, volunteers are needed to revitalize various locations in the church, gym and community areas.
Contact: Kim Oglesby, Project Coordinator, at rmg.musicpr@gmail.com
5818 Germantown Ave.
Donation requests: Canned goods, food baskets, games, gently used clothing, gifts for adults and seniors, personal care items, stocking stuffers and turkeys
Volunteering opportunities: Three to five volunteers are needed to help serve and clean up the Christmas Holiday Luncheon to members and guests on Dec. 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Contact: Dianne Tucker, Volunteer Coordinator, (215) 848-7722 ext. 233 or dtucker@centerinthepark.org
Children’s Crisis Treatment Center
1080 N Delaware Ave #600
Donation requests: Food baskets and gifts for children
Volunteer opportunities: CCTC coordinates an Annual Holiday Toy Drive and “Wrapping Parties” for volunteers
Contact: Lisa Cordeiro Kricun, Director of Development, at (215) 496-0707 or lisa.kricun@cctckids.org
Communities in Schools of Philadelphia, Inc.
2000 Hamilton St.
Donation requests: Canned goods, food baskets, games, gifts for adults, children, and teens, infant care items, new clothing, new stuffed animals, personal care items, small toys, stocking stuffers, turkeys/ hams, additional food for the holidays for families, and holiday decorations
Volunteer opportunities: Prepare supplies for teen parents and alternative education center students and adopt families from now until Dec. 30.
Contact: Dennis Maurice Dumpson, Senior Development Officer, at (267) 386-4686 or development@cisphl.org
1112 S. 17th St.
Donation requests: Food baskets, gifts for adults and seniors, new clothing, personal care items, stocking stuffers and turkeys/ hams
Contact: Danette James, President and CEO, at (215) 621-9055 or danet_housing@yahoo.com
1315 Walnut St.
Donation requests: Feminine hygiene products
Contact: Kim Oglesby, Chapter Director, at (610) 342-3630
5227 Germantown Ave.
Donation requests: Food baskets, games gifts for adults and teens, personal care items and turkeys/ hams
Volunteer opportunities: Volunteers are needed to help decorate the Resource Center for the Holiday Party for residents and their children. Volunteers can also adopt a family and distribute holiday meals.
Contact: Wanda Felder, Education and Workforce Coordinator, at (215) 843-6248, ext. 307 or wfelder@dignityhousing.org
East Parkside Resident Association (EPRA)
4168 Poplar St.
Donation requests: Food baskets, gently used clothing, new stuffed animals, personal care items, stocking stuffers, turkeys/ hams, gloves and hats
Volunteer opportunities: Preparing and serving holiday meals and hosting men and women from neighborhood shelters
Contact: Calla Cousar, President, at (215) 386-9152 or epravision@aol.com
4161 N. 5th St.
Donation requests: Canned goods, food baskets, gifts for adults and children, new clothing, turkeys and hams
Contact: Wanda Carlo, Vice President of Workforce Development, at (215) 967-9711 or wcarlo@esperanza.us
111 North 49th St.
Donation requests: Canned goods, food baskets, games, gifts for adults, children, teens and seniors, infant care items, new clothing, new stuffed animals, personal care items, small toys and stocking stuffers
Volunteer opportunities: Wrap and sort gifts/ toys on Dec. 17-19. FFP also welcomes groups and organizations to host parties on-site for the children, teens and parents.
Contact: Grace Hightower, Director of Fund Development, at (215) 240-4828 or ghightower@familiesforwardphilly.org
3101 Tyson Ave.
Donation requests: Canned goods, food baskets, games, gifts for children and teens, new stuffed animals, personal care items, small toys, stocking stuffers, and turkeys/ ham
Volunteer opportunities: Prepare the food cupboard and holidays baskets on Dec. 21 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Contact: Rev. Tricia Neale, executive director, at (215) 268-3510 or pastor.tricia.neale@gmail.com
Hall Mercer Community Mental Health Center
245 S. 8th St.
Donation requests: Canned goods, food baskets, games, gifts for adults, children and teens, infant care items, personal care items, small toys and turkeys/ hams
Volunteer opportunities: Hall Mercer has many high needs families who are receiving case management services for their children would would appreciate being adopted this holiday season so that their families can celebrate the holidays.
Contact: Joelle Bradley, LCSW, Director of Children’s Services, at (215) 829-5058 or bradleyj@pahosp.com
HELP Philadelphia/ PHMC
4910 Wyalusing Ave.
Donation requests: Games, gifts for a adults, personal care items, twin sheets, towels, dishes, eating and cooking utensils, pots and pans
Volunteer opportunity: Adopt a family this holiday season.
Contact: Marie Toussaint-Tunnell, Volunteer Coordinator, at (215) 473-7451 ext. 823 or mtoussaint@phmc.org
Holy Spirit United Methodist Church
1441 E. Hunting Park Ave.
Volunteer opportunities: Volunteers are welcome on Dec. 24 from 12 to 5 p.m. to help prepare for Christmas.
Contact: Call Richard DeJesus at 267-505-4451
Joy for Families
240 E. Cambria St.
Donation requests: Canned goods, food baskets, games, new and gently used clothing, gifts for children and teens, infant care items, new stuffed animals, personal care items, small toys and stocking stuffers
Volunteer opportunities: Volunteers are need to help with organizing, gift wrapping and packing from Dec. 17 to 19. They’re also needed to check in families and distribute packages for an event on Dec. 20.
Contact: Eunice Sanchez, President, at (215) 869-4710 or iglesia.delbarrio@gmail.com
10100 Jamison Ave.
Donation requests: Canned goods and single-serve breakfast items
Volunteer opportunity: Eight volunteers per shift are need to prepare and pack meals for the Home Delivered Meal program for homebound seniors on Dec. 12, 16, 18 and 23 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Contact: John Eskate, Hunger Relief Manager, at (215) 698-7300 ext. 196 or jeskate@kleinjcc.org
KMC Empowering Education Corporation (KMC-EEC)
3131 W. Cumberland St.
Donation requests: Food baskets, games, gifts for adults, children, teens and seniors, new clothing, stocking stuffers and turkeys/ hams
Contact: Melea R. Moorehead, Volunteer Coordinator/ Secretary, at (267) 312-1499 or melear.moorehead@gmail.com
Lincoln Day Educational Center
1839 Ellsworth St.
Donation requests: Food baskets, gifts for kids, new clothing and turkeys/ hams
Volunteer opportunities: Eight volunteers are need to provide and distribute winter coats for 75 underprivileged children age 3 to 5 on Dec. 22 at 10 a.m.
Contact: Thelma J. Miller, executive director, at (215) 732-7333 or thelma. miller@comcast.net
Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation
Donation requests: Bingo prizes and auction items
Volunteer opportunities: Volunteers, either individuals or groups of five to 10 people, are needed to help with check-in, hospitality, decorations and event logistics throughout the annual luncheon, Enchanted Holidays, on Dec. 6.
Contact: Anna Marchini, Development associate, at (215) 564-3700 or annamarchini@lindacreed.org
Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly
642 N. Broad St.
Volunteer opportunities: Little Brothers needs volunteers to deliver meal and gifts to seniors on Christmas day. If you are interested in helping on Christmas, the deadline is December 18. Reference required.
Contact: 215-765-8118
1340 Frankford Ave.
Donation requests: Canned goods, food baskets, games, gifts for adults, children, teens and seniors, infant care items, new stuffed animals, personal care items, small toys, turkeys/ hams and coats
Volunteer opportunities: Five to 10 volunteers are need for the Gift Wrapping Party for transitional housing mothers on Dec. 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers can also adopt a family, as needed.
Contact: Kanika Ramchandani, Volunteer Coordinator, at (215) 426-8610 ext. 1242 or kramchandani@lutheransettlement.org
137 S. 58th St.
Donation requests: Bingo prizes, food baskets, gifts for seniors
Volunteer opportunity: Four volunteers are needed to assist with the holiday party, serving meals during lunch and then interacting with seniors during the festivities.
Contact: Kafi Chism, director, at (215) 765-9000 ext. 7110 or kchism@pcaphl.org
8220 Castor Ave.
Donation requests: Games, gifts for kids and teens, gifts cards to malls, Game Stop, Old Navy, 5 Below or Wal-Mart, magazine subscriptions such as Sports Illustrated, ESPN or Vibe, headphones, wallets, pajamas or movie passes.
Contact: Mike Wiemuth, director of administration, at (215) 728-4696 or mwiemuth@pathcenter.org
People’s Emergency Center (PEC)
325 N. 39th St.
Donation requests: Canned goods, food baskets, games, gifts for adults, children and teens, infant care items, new clothing, new stuffed animals, personal care items, small toys, stocking stuffers and turkeys/ hams
Volunteer opportunity: Help PEC create warm and happy memories for the mothers and children by donating any new and unwrapped items to Glorida’s Place on 3902 Spring Garden Street from now until Dec. 17.
Contact: Meredith Pollock, Coordinator, at (267) 777-5829 or mpollock@pec-cares.org
1233 Locust St., Floor 3
Donation requests: Bring prizes, games, new and gently used clothing, gifts for adults and children, infant care items, new stuffed animals, personal care items, small toys, stocking stuffers, underwear and socks for adult males and females
Contact: Lorelei Shingledecker, Chief Strategy Officer, at (267) 725-0243 or lsingledecker@fight.org
Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for Nonviolence, Inc.
3001 Walnut St.
Donation requests: Canned goods, food baskets, gifts for teens, new clothing, new stuffed animals, personal care items, small toys, stocking stuffers and turkeys/ hams
Volunteer opportunities: Ten volunteers are needed on Dec. 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for toy distribution to disadvantaged families, and 40 volunteers are needed on Dec. 21 from noon to 5:30 p.m. to assist with the Children’s Christmas Dinner Pageant.
Contact: Joye Nottage, executive director, at (215) 751-9300 or joye.nottage@philadelphiamlk.org
509 S. Broad St.
Volunteer opportunities: 30 volunteers are needed to help with set-up, serving tables and clean up for the Holiday Dinner on Dec. 19.
Contact: Edwina Griggs, Activities Coordinator, at (215) 546-5879 ext. 229 or egriggs@newcourtland.org
Philadelphia Youth Advocate Program
719 W. Girard Ave.
Donation requests: Canned goods, food baskets, new and gently used clothing, gifts for teens, infant care items, personal care items, turkeys/ hams, food for Christmas dinner, coats, gloves and scarves for youth.
Volunteer opportunities: Serve or adopt a child or family.
Public Health Management Corporation
125 S. 9th St.
Donation requests: Personal care items, adult hats, gloves and socks
Contact: Beth Browning, Clinical Director for Shelter services, at (215) 985-2652 or Beth@phmc.org
1354 Ruan St.
Donation requests: Canned goods, food baskets, games, new and gently used clothing, gifts for adults, children, teens and seniors, infant care items, new stuffed animals, personal care items, small toys, stocking stuffers, and turkeys/ hams
Contact: Raymond Gant, President, at (215) 744-1039 or rohproject@comcast.net
Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia
4050 Conshohocken Ave.
Volunteer opportunities: Outlined here.
Scottish Rite Tower
1530 Fitzwater St.
Donation requests: Bingo prizes, canned goods, food baskets, gifts for seniors and turkeys/ hams
Contact: Deborah Clark, senior housing manager, at (215) 545-0460 or SRT0460@aol.com
2901 W. Hunting Park Ave.
Donation requests: Canned goods, food baskets, personal care items, turkeys/ hams and sponsor holiday dinners
Volunteer opportunities: As needed/ listed on their website
Contact: Jillian Tozer, Director of Community Programs, at (215) 223-2220 ext. 113 or jtozer@sharefoodprogram.org
Simons Recreation Center
7200 Woolston Ave.
Donation requests: Canned goods, food baskets, games, new and gently used clothing, gifts for children and teens, infant care items, new stuffed animals, personal care items, small toys, stocking stuffers and turkeys/ hams
Volunteer opportunities: Wrap gifts on Dec. 19 from 5 to 9 p.m. or help prepare and serve food, prepare crafts and pass out gifts for Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 20 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Contact: Amenah Claiborne, Recreation Leader, at (215) 685-3551 or amenahclaiborne@yahoo.com
1501 Cherry St.
Donation requests: Food baskets, games, small toys, food/ snacks to serve at Discovery Night
Volunteer Opportunity: Five volunteers are needed to assist with check-in and run of show for Discovery night, a celebration of the culmination of semester-long apprenticeship during the week of Dec. 14.
2950 Memphis St.
Donation requests: Turkeys/ hams, new or gently used kitchen items, healthy dessert for about 40 people
Volunteer opportunities: On Thursdays at the Memphis Street Academy, volunteers are need to prepare food from 3 to 5:30 p.m. and serve families, wash dishes and provide child care from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Contact: Jingyao Yu, program intern, at (215) 223-2220 ext. 101 or intern@sundaysuppersphilly.com
Support Center for Child Advocates
1900 Cherry St.
Donation requests: Games, gifts for children and teens, infant care items, new clothing, new stuffed animals, personal care items and small toys
Volunteer opportunities: Coordinate a toy drive among people you know — they’ll send you gift labels including the name, gender and age of each child. Volunteer at the Toy Drive Headquarters at Logan Square until Dec. 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sponsor a family or teen and provide clothing, household items and other basic needs along with toys for needy families and youth.
Contact: Chris Hayes, Toy Drive Coordinator, at (267) 546-9213 or toydrive@advokid.org
415 S. 15th St.
Donation requests: Canned goods, food baskets, games, gifts for adults, children and teens, infant care items, new clothing, personal care items, small toys, stocking stuffers, turkeys/ hams, coats, hats, gloves and food donations for the FAWN food pantry
Volunteer opportunity: Adopt a family for the holidays. Gift donation delivery starts the first week of December.
Contact: Karina Sellhorn, Development Associate, at (215) 875-4964 or ksellhorn@tp4c.org
United Communities of Southeast Philadelphia
2029 S. 8th St.
Donation requests: Canned goods, food baskets, games, gifts for adults, children and teens, new stuffed animals, personal care items, small toys, stocking stuffers and turkeys/ hams
Contact: Nicole Morgan, Director of After School and Adult Education, at (215) 468-1645 ext. 240 or nicolemorgan@ucsep.org
22 W. Rittenhouse St.
Donation requests: Canned goods, food baskets, games, gifts for adults, children and teens, new stuffed animals, personal care items, small toys, stocking stuffers and turkeys/ hams
Volunteer opportunities: Volunteers are needed to deliver food from Dec. 22-24.
Contact: Roberta Balsam, social services supervisor, at rbalsam@uuhouse.org
1500 Sansom St.
Donation requests: Gently used clothing, gifts for children and teens, infant care items, personal care items, winter coats, hats, gloves and scarves
Contact: Valerie Johnson, Development Officer, at (215) 925-3180 or vjohnson@vyhphila.org
Watch God Move Deliverance Ministries
6316 Rising Sun Ave.
Donation requests: Canned goods, food baskets, turkeys/ hams
Contact: Kristopher Halsey, senior pastor, at (215) 869-2127
100 S. Broad St.
Donation requests: Food baskets, games, gifts for adults, children and teens, infant care items, new clothing, new stuffed animals, personal care items, small toys and stocking stuffers
Contact: Megan Slattery, development assistant, at mslattery@womanagainstabuse.org
21 S. 12th St.
Donation requests: Games, gifts for children and teens, infant care items, new stuffed animals, personal care items, small toys, children’s hats and gloves
Contact: Irene Brantley, program director, (215) 564-5301 ext. 130 or ilbrantley@helpwomen.org
Women’s Community Revitalization Project
100 W. Oxford St.
Donation requests: Turkeys/ hams and gift certificates for local grocery stores
Contact: Carolyn Haynes, deputy director, at (215) 627-5550 ext. 219 or chaynes@wcrpphila.org
3905 Ford Road
Donation requests: Games, gifts for children and teens, new clothing, new stuffed animals, personal care items, small toys and stocking stuffers
Volunteer opportunities: Sponsor a child and provide holiday gifts, organize a gift drive, volunteer to sort and wrap gifts on Dec. 16-17
Contact: Kristy Modarelli, Donor Relations Coordinator, at (215) 643-5400 ext. 4490 or kmodarelli@wordsworth.org
410 N. 34th St.
Donation requests: Canned goods, food baskets, new and gently used clothing, gifts for children and teens, infant care items, new stuffed animals and small toys
Volunteer opportunities: Adopt a family for the holidays, organize a gift drive, purchase a holiday meal for a family.
Contact: Kia ALbertson-Rogers, Marketing Manager, (215) 222-3262 ext. 1023 or krogers@ysiphila.org
