Along with colder weather, the holiday season brings opportunities to help neighbors in need throughout Salem. Local businesses, volunteers and nonprofits have launched a variety of coat, food and toy drives for families and people in need in the community. 

Below, see where and what donation options are available. This list will be updated throughout the holiday season. 

Northwest Human Services

Through Friday, Nov. 21, Northwest Human Services’ annual Community Care Drive will be collecting food and cold-weather gear to help fill shortages. The donations can be dropped off in the lobby of their West Salem Clinic at 1233 Edgewater St. N.W. 

Community members are encouraged to bring canned vegetables and fruits, peanut butter, pasta, non-bulk rice, cereal, soups, chili, canned meat and shelf-stable milk. Donations will benefit the food pantry at Mosaic Church.

Requested cold weather gear includes coats, socks, shoes and sweatpants, which will help stock closets for Northwest Human Services’ homeless outreach and support programs, serving people who are homeless or housing insecure. Read our story about their outreach program downtown here.

Toy drive for teen parents and children of domestic violence survivors

Various Salem businesses will be collecting new toys for Ashes to Wings & The Phoenix Closet’s first-ever toy drive, benefiting teen parents and survivors of domestic violence with children, ages newborn through teens.

The following locations will be collecting toys, books, warm clothes, gift cards, board games and arts and craft supplies through Monday, Dec. 8. 

• Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St. S.E.
• Michelle Ashley’s Custom Cakes, 2195 Hyacinth St. N.E.
• Salem Pet Supply, 3185 Market St. N.E.
• Coffee in Motion, 1725 Silverton Rd. N.E.
• Martinez Wheels & Tires, 1411 Broadway St. N.E.
• Aunt Tilly’s Flower Barn, 2415 Fisher Rd. N.E.
• Preciosa Nail Supply & Salon, 3700 River Rd. N. #11, Keizer

Adopt a family, donate toys through Polk County

Polk County will be providing food and holiday gifts to families in financial need through several programs this year. To help, people can either “adopt” a whole family to buy gifts on their wishlist, volunteer, shop from an Amazon wishlist, donate, or host a giving tree or collection site.

Registration for each program is available online through a form. Donors who register for the Adopt a Family program can select the number of children they can support, and buy one or two gifts for each. More information will be given once donors register.

Families can register to get food and/or gift assistance through the program up until noon on Friday, Dec. 5. Registration is online, and open to families experiencing financial hardship.

For more information, contact the county resource center at 503-751-1644.

Salvation Army Red Kettles

A Thursday, Nov. 20, luncheon at the Salem Kroc Center, 1865 Bill Frey Dr., will launch the annual Salvation Army red-kettle donation season. The event will include live music, catered lunch and stories from people impacted by Salvation Army programs. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., and community members can RSVP or donate online.

Following the luncheon, red kettles collecting donations can be found throughout businesses in Salem. Donations support food, financial assistance for families, veterans and disaster relief in Marion and Polk counties, and 200 residents at the Lighthouse Shelter.

Windermere Real Estate winter gear drive

Through Friday, Dec. 19, Windermere Real Estate offices are collecting winter essentials for homeless people in the community. 

Donations to the office at 5285 Commercial St. S.E., Ste. 100, will go to Northwest Human Services’ Homeless Outreach and Advocacy Project. They’re asking for new or gently used coats, waterproof jackets, gloves, hats, socks, waterproof footwear, scarves, blankets and sleeping bags. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The office at 960 Liberty St. S.E. #250 is accepting donations for Be Bold Street Ministries. They’re requesting coats, blankets, hats, mittens and any pet supplies. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Donations for Church at the Park, local families

Through Dec. 15, Mary’s House of Hope, which serves local families, is collaborating with Church at the Park, which serves homeless people and families in the Salem area. They’re requesting new and gently used toys, shoes, warm clothing, hats and gloves, hair accessories, hygiene supplies, shirts and sweatshirts, fun socks, towel sets in gift baskets, quilts and blankets, infant supplies, non-perishable food and camping supplies.

They’re also requesting gift cards for family activities in Salem, including the Gilbert House Children’s Museum, Powerland Heritage Park, Enchanted Forest, Wunderland, movie theaters, restaurants and more. 

Donations can be dropped at 2908 Market St. N.E., Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Pet food drive

Through Saturday, Dec. 6, Capital Manor is accepting donations of cat and dog food which will go toward the Lord’s Cupboard food pantry at Trinity Methodist Church which serves low-income families and people experiencing homelessness. There will be bins throughout Capital Manor’s campus at 1955 Salem Dallas Hwy. N.W. 

Family Building Blocks

Family Building Blocks is collecting money to buy toys, books, gifts, gas and grocery cards, pajamas and more for children in the community. The donations, with a $5 minimum, can be made online. Donors can select what they’d like their donation to go toward. Businesses can also fill out a form for gift tags with requested presents from children to hang on giving trees, or email Claudia at [email protected].

Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-575-1251.

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