Matching donors with needy families can be difficult due to privacy concerns. Directly contacting social services or human resources departments, word of mouth, and charitable programs like the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree are ways to connect with families in need during the holidays.
Matching needy families with potential donors isn’t always an easy process for social services and charitable organizations. There are privacy issues to consider, and many people in need may not feel comfortable going through public channels for financial assistance. Therefore, many donors are left with the option to contribute to “umbrella charities” charged with redistributing donations to anonymous families in need. However, the process of helping others during the holidays doesn’t always have to work out that way.
One way to find families in need of assistance is to contact social services or human resources departments directly. A representative of your organization may be able to provide a list of people who have consented to having their contact information public. While that list is kept confidential, the agency may be willing to coordinate a more personal connection between the donor and a specific family in need. This could come in handy when buying or gifting clothing or other gender/age specific gifts.
Another way to find families in need at Christmas is through word of mouth. There may be colleagues who have suffered recent personal losses and would appreciate a charitable gesture. Local newspapers frequently publish articles about the plight of those who have lost everything to fires or other natural disasters. Even church members or ministers can get to know people in need, especially during the holiday season. A private meeting with a local pastor or church secretary can provide needed contact information for local families in crisis.
Several charitable programs, such as the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree, provide specific information about eligible children, even if they are not personally identified. Adopting multiple participants will ensure that at least one family is catered for during the holidays. Other locally sponsored programs can also identify the needs of entire families, not just their children. Homeless shelters operated by non-profit organizations or religious organizations may also be able to act as a liaison between people in need and those who wish to provide assistance during the holidays.
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