Holiday assistance in Houston.
In addition to the charity listed below, there are many other resources available in Harris County that provide help. They assist the working poor and vulnerable, and find additional Christmas assistance in Harris County.
An increasing number of families are seeking assistance around the holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. West Houston Assistance Ministries (WHAM) is one of the leading local charities/non-profits to call for support during this time.
With the high, and increasing requests, for help, West Houston Assistance Ministries is always looking for donations and sponsors for the Adopt-A-Family program and other resources they offer.
Even though it is very tough out there for many families, and the charities who are trying to assist them, no one is giving up. Many Houston charities have seen quite a bit of generosity from donations and the community in years past. There are still people willing to help others around the holidays and Christmas. However there has been some scaling back during this great time of need due to primarily the weak economy.
One of the programs that is always trying to find donations is the West Houston Assistance Ministries Adopt-A-Family program. There is a constant need for toys, coats, small gifts, foodstuffs, and other aid for children. The Salvation Army also offers the Angel Tree program, which is very similar.
No donation is too small. The financial commitment requested will vary from family to family. Sponsors to this Adopt a Family Program, or any other holiday assistance, can request a single mother or a family of four to give to. There is always someone that needs help. That can include a warm Thanksgiving or Christmas meal, or a gift for a child.
Another program offered is the holiday dinner program. Over there last few years there has been a 50%+ increase in Houston area families needing help through the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday dinner program, which WHAM also runs, often in partner with the Salvation Army. Find more Holiday programs from the Salvation Army in Houston.
Another resource is WHAM’s annual Toy Drive. This program has helped bring the generosity of “Santa” to hundreds of children in Houston. After all, children should not go without during the holidays. Hundreds of children sign up to receive toys every year. In past years it could have been as many as 1,000 children who received toys just from West Houston Assistance Ministries. This does not include other charities like the Salvation Army or Catholic Charities. Toys and gifts for young children from low income families are always in demand.
West Houston Assistance Ministries is not alone is their donation programs and request for contributions from the community. According to a recent report by the national Nonprofit Research Collaborative, a third of charities have been overwhelmed by the number of requests they receive around the holidays, and they have also experienced a decline in donations from the community.
There is a lot that WHAM does to help make the holidays merrier for low income and struggling families. Please donate items, and support this charity and others by hosting a toy drive or donating new toys to a local charity.
Donations are accepted at the various WHAM offices, including the locations at 10501 Meadowglen in Houston Texas, or at Second Blessing Store, 3100 Rodgerdale. Toys and items needed for children include coloring books, board games, dolls of all ethnic backgrounds, books, Legos, bats, educational toys, crayons, basketballs, footballs, and baseballs.
Gifts and toys will normally be distributed to lower income and struggling families in mid to late December. Also needed from the local Houston community are $10 grocery store gift cards to cover the cost of holiday meals. As well as $25 gift cards for kids, ages 10 and up.
To make a donation to WHAM, or for more information about holiday assistance programs, call 713-977-5522.
Additional resources in the County
That is just one charity that may help. There are several others. The programs are focused on families with children as well as the elderly. Find holiday help in Harris County and receive information on the application process.
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