News & Community

Give It Away Now: More Ideas

It’s the season of giving, and there’s no shortage of need out there. That being the case, we thought we’d suggest some local organizations that do good work all year round and would certainly welcome an extra hand in making the holidays shine a little brighter for everyone.

Gather Baltimore

What they do: Collect unsold food from farmers’ markets, farms, and other sources for redistribution to local meal programs, faith communities, and others in need.

How to help: Volunteers always needed to help “glean” (aka collect) foodstuffs; donate to its Give Corps campaign to purchase freezers and refrigerators for its Remington warehouse, which will help increase capacity.

Contact: Visit in person at the JFX farmers’ market and Oliver Farm Stand (1400 N. Bond St.) every Sunday; gatherbaltimore.org.

Health Care for the Homeless

What they do: Provide health-related services, education, and advocacy to reduce the incidence and burdens of homelessness.

How to help: Donate online or by mail at Health Care for the Homeless, 421 Fallsway, Baltimore, MD, 21202; attend its annual fundraiser The HCH Chocolate Affair on February 15, 2014.

Contact: hchmd.org.

Maryland Food Bank

What they do: With three locations statewide, the Maryland Food Bank coordinates the procurement and distribution of food donations from manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and government agencies to organizations providing free food to the state’s hungry.

How to help: Donate money via website; virtual food drive via website allows donors to purchase in bulk the most-needed items; bring canned donations to Ravens Food & Funds Drive at M&T Bank Stadium on November 24; bring canned donations to or make a monetary donation at the register at participating Giant food stores through November; throughout November and December at participating Safeway locations buy pre-packaged bags of food to be delivered to those in need; donate food in person Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at 2200 Halethorpe Farms Road, Baltimore, MD 21227; warehouse volunteers always needed to help sort and pack donations in 3-hour shifts Mon.-Sat. and Wed. evenings.

Contact: 410-737-8282 or mdfoodbank.org.

Jobs Housing Recovery

What they do: This all-male nonprofit offers a continuum of care that encompasses food and shelter, skills and job training, and substance-abuse treatment and counseling.

How to help: Always in need of warm clothing, including hats, scarves, men’s boots, coats, and jackets; volunteers needed to help with daily food service, holiday decorating, and activities; donations accepted through Paypal at jhrbaltimore.org.

Contact: 410-522-2232

Fuel Fund of Maryland

What they do: Provide resources to vulnerable Maryland families for heat and home utility needs.

How to help: Monetary donations can be submitted online through its website, via your monthly BGE bill, or via check at Fuel Fund of Maryland Inc.,
P.O. Box 62266, Baltimore, MD, 21264-2266. Also accepts gifts of stock.

Contact: 410-235-9080, fuelfundmaryland.org

Marian House

What they do: Waverly-based nonprofit offers high-quality rehabilitative services and housing to homeless women and their children.

How to help: Donations accepted through marianhouse.org or in person at 949 Gorsuch Ave., Baltimore, MD, 21218

Contact: Offers tours of the facility the first Friday of every month; for more information, call 410-467-4246 and ask to speak with advancement assistant Tamar Klein.


Overwhelmed and need help deciding where to begin? Do a search onvolunteermatch.org. Enter your preferences (location, subject matter, age, etc.) into the website and receive a list of area organizations looking for volunteers just like you!

There are many good and noble causes out there. But beware, all nonprofits aren’t created equal. To help you decide where to put your time, money, and effort, use Charity Navigator, an independent American nonprofit corporation that evaluates charities in the United States based on financial health, transparency, and accountability.charitynavigator.org.

Giving Tuesday is a new national campaign to promote charitable activities at the start of the holiday season. It’s designated for the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday—this year, December 3. More information atgivingtuesday.org.