The holidays are right around the corner, and if you’re like many people, you’ve been considering ways you can give back to the Scottsdale community. Fortunately, there are several programs you can participate in to donate toys, money, food and household items to local families in need.
Giving Back to Scottsdale During the Holidays
The most prominent programs that give back to the community of Scottsdale include:
- Scottsdale Community Partners Adopt-a-Family Program
- City of Scottsdale’s Adopt-a-Family Program and Paiute Toy Program
- Arizona Helping Hands Toy Drive
- Foothills Food Bank Adopt-a-Family
- Scottsdale Adopt-a-Senior Holiday Program
Here’s a closer look at each.
Scottsdale Community Partners Adopt-a-Family Program
The Scottsdale Community Partners Adopt-a-Family program helps match people who wish to improve other people’s holiday seasons. Donors are given basic information about their “adopted” family, as well as a wish list and instructions on how to drop off items. Though each family’s wish list is different, items like new clothes and toys, blankets, toiletries and gift cards to Target and Wal-Mart are often popular requests.
City of Scottsdale’s Adopt-a-Family Program and Paiute Toy Program
The city of Scottsdale runs an adopt-a-family program in conjunction with its Paiute Toy Program. You may choose to make a financial donation or a food donation, or you can sponsor a family for the holidays. If you sponsor a family for the holidays, you’ll be asked to provide each child from that family with three gift items (usually totaling between $75 and $100 per child) and a grocery gift card ranging from $30 to $75 (depending on household size) so the family can purchase the ingredients for a holiday meal. You are always welcome to provide clothing, additional items and even gift wrap if you’d like.
Arizona Helping Hands Toy Drive
The Arizona Helping Hands Toy Drive has been thriving for 23 years, and it could use your help again this year. If you donate $65, you can give two new toys and a new book to a child in foster care who doesn’t have much else. Financial donations are tax-deductible, and Arizona Helping Hands will provide you with a receipt.
Foothills Food Bank Adopt-a-Family
The Foothills Food Bank Adopt-a-Family program has been in operation for 19 years, and last year helped 444 families. They’re requesting help by way of $50 Walmart or Visa gift cards, as well as family games (such as Connect Four, checkers, Monopoly and Candyland). If you’d like to donate, the Foothills Food Bank is asking that you drop off donations between December 4 and December 9 at the Holland Center.
Scottsdale Adopt-a-Senior Holiday Program
The Adopt-a-Senior program through the city of Scottsdale runs from October through December, and it enables you to donate items, gift cards and monetary items. The seniors who qualify for the program submit a wish list, and the city asks that you donate by Tuesday, December 1. However, you can donate money and gift cards up until Wednesday, December 23 – and you can make general donations at any time.
